A new survey has confirmed respite is an essential service for many carers, but there is much room for improvement, reports Darragh O Keeffe

Almost two out of three carers of people living with dementia have no informal support and many would not be able to continue caring were it not for the help provided by respite services, according to new research. Of the 336 carers surveyed, 59 per cent had no support from family or friends, while just one third felt they had a relative or friend they could call for help for a few days in an emergency or if something unexpected occurred. The research, from the Dementia Collaborative Research Centre: Carers and Consumers at Queensland University of Technology, found high rates (77 per cent)...