Evaluation Themes
The following themes have guided our collective evaluation.
Respite as Outcome
Our working definition of respite includes the idea of respite as an outcome experienced by caregivers:
Respite refers to caregivers' experiences of relief or renewal. This relief or renewal can be physical, emotional, psychological, social, and/or spiritual. Respite results from services, activities and planning that are in place to support caregivers in maintaining their own health and creating more balance in their lives. Respite allows caregivers to improve their quality of life and be more involved in their community. It may also help family or friends that the caregiver supports to improve their quality of life and integration within the community.
(Care Renewal, November 2004)
Caregiver Voice
Caregiver voice means that caregivers are involved in developing, implementing and evaluating programs and policies that affect them. It also means giving caregivers opportunities to say clearly what respite means to them and what support they need to obtain it.
Caregiver Choice
Caregiver choice refers to whether caregivers have access to a range of options to meet the needs they have identified. In some cases, it also includes the question of whether caregivers have a real choice about being a caregiver.
Caregiver Empowerment
Caregiver empowerment refers to ways that caregivers can participate in and influence decisions that affect their caregiving relationship. The focus is on developing real partnerships between caregivers and others, without exploiting the caregivers' willingness to care.
Caregiver Recognition
Caregiver recognition involves finding ways to help the public, community health and social service providers, and government officials to acknowledge that caregivers' unpaid assistance has an important role in our society. It also includes people's ability and willingness to identify themselves as caregivers and to seek support for their needs.