The following resources present evaluations of respite care services and evaluation strategies, including State and local examples.
A Research Agenda for Respite Care: Deliberations of an Expert Panel of Researchers, Advocates, and Funders (PDF - 5,222 KB)
ARCH National Respite Network and Resource Center (2015)
Outlines the need for research on respite care, which is currently based primarily on practical ideals and good intentions. Evidence-based research to demonstrate how to best provide respite care that results in maximum benefits to care receivers and their families while maximizing invested resources is largely lacking.
Annotated Bibliography of Respite and Crisis Care Studies (PDF - 1,546 KB)
ARCH National Respite Network and Resource Center (4th ed.) (2018)
Summarizes 30 peer-reviewed journal articles mostly published between 2014 and 2018 that provide a baseline understanding of respite research and focus on outcomes attributed to respite. The studies included documented outcomes of respite care for family caregivers, care recipients, families or communities, including cost-benefit studies.
Effects of Respite Care Training on Respite Provider Knowledge and Confidence, and Outcomes for Family Caregivers Receiving Respite Services (PDF - 276 KB)
Ackerman & Sheaffer (2018)
Respite Education and Support Tools (REST)
Evaluates a respite training program aimed at developing respite provider competence and improving caregiver well-being. Results showed that family caregivers provided more favorable ratings regarding their well-being while receiving respite from a trained provider compared to before respite began.
Measuring Systems Change and Consumer Outcomes: Recommendations for Developing Performance Metrics for State Lifespan Respite Programs (PDF - 1,638 KB)
ARCH National Respite Network and Resource Center (2014)
Provides information to assist respite programs in conceptualizing, developing, and implementing performance metrics for their programs. The publication includes discussions on the relationship between performance measurement and program evaluation, how success is determined, developing and measuring outcomes, systems change and consumer outcomes, cost/benefits, and more.
Respite Care
North American Council on Adoptable Children (2017)
Describes respite care and links to a fact sheet, a step-by-step guide, and a best-practices guide related to respite programs.
Sustaining Lifespan Respite Systems: Lessons Learned and Practical Applications with a Checklist for Success (PDF - 985 KB)
ARCH National Respite Network and Resource Center (2016)
Presents comprehensive plans for the sustainability of lifespan respite care programs. The report shares lessons learned, describes challenges and successes, and discusses best practices for sustainability planning activities.
State and local examples
Fiscal Year 2016 Respite Program Across the Lifespan Outcomes (PDF - 712 KB)
Nebraska Lifespan Respite Network (2016)
Highlights the accomplishments of the Nebraska Lifespan Respite Services Program during Fiscal Year 2016 and outlines recommendations for the program in the future.
Successful Approaches for Measuring Lifespan Respite Outcomes (PDF - 222 KB)
Pohlman & Kearns (2015)
Massachusetts Lifespan Respite Coalition & Texas Respite Coalition
Explores the role of evaluation as applied to two lifespan respite care programs, one in Massachusetts and one in Texas; how evaluation can demonstrate the value and impact of these programs; and how telling a story can influence others to join the program's efforts. The presentation lists lessons learned through evaluation, outlines respite program benefits, and reviews desired outcomes from the evaluation.