Experiences with unregulated respite care among family caregivers of children dependent on respiratory technologies

Abstract

Increasingly, children with respiratory conditions who are dependent on medical technology (e.g. ventilators and tracheostomies) are cared for at home by family caregivers who are at risk for significant health, financial and social burdens. In many jurisdictions, access to quality respite is varied and often the availability of regulated (nursing) providers is insufficient. Rather than go without, some families have secured alternative and unregulated providers to supplement formal home care systems. The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of family caregivers of children dependent on respiratory technologies who have used unregulated providers for in-home respite care. Through an interpretative description approach, data was gathered from 20 semi-structured parent interviews and analysed using constant comparative analysis. Four themes emerged from the data, which were conceptualized as both opportunities and tensions that parents experienced with both unregulated and regulated home care providers: finding the right fit for the child and family; trusting the provider is everything; using unregulated providers offers unique advantages; and accepting that regulated and unregulated care present challenges. Findings signal that unregulated providers play a pivotal role in supporting parents of children who are dependent on respiratory technologies. Implications for practice, policy and future research initiatives are discussed.