Dale A. Lund, PhD, Professor of Gerontology & Sociology, University of Utah Center on Aging, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.
Scott D. Wright, PhD, Associate Professor of Gerontology, University of Utah Center on Aging, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.
Michael S. Caserta, PhD, Associate Professor of Gerontology, University of Utah Center on Aging, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.

Obtaining respite, defined as having time away from performing caregiving tasks and meeting various responsibilities, has been found to be the single most desired and needed service by family caregivers to older adults. Although respite has the potential to enhance the quality of life for most caregivers, far too many caregivers wait too long to use the services, do not use them often or regularly enough, or spend their respite time unwisely (thus not deriving the maximum benefit). Also, many caregivers feel guilty and reluctant to use the services even when they are available. This article helps document the value of using respite services, describes the various forms in which they are available, and offers suggestions on how to make the most out of these promising services.

Key words: respite, caregiving, older adults, quality of life.

Serge Gauthier, MD, FRCPC, McGill Centre for Studies in Aging, Montréal, QC.

Functional disability is an important component of Alzheimer’s disease. A number of scales are available to measure activities of daily living (ADL) throughout the course of disease, including instrumental as well as self-care activities. A randomized clinical study comparing donepezil to a placebo in moderate-to-severe stages of AD showed a stabilization of ADL decline over six months for patients on donepezil. Less time for ADL care was required by caregivers of patients on donepezil compared to those on placebos.

Key words: Alzheimer, therapy, activities of daily living, donepezil, caregiving time

Introduction
The importance of decline in activities of daily living (ADL) in older adults with dementia has been recognized in the condition’s diagnostic criteria, described as “significant impairment in social or occupational functioning” in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV).