Respite care services for the family in Germany

Development of an overall network of respite care services is progressing well in the Federal Republic of Germany. By 1990, an estimated 200 services were either in operation or about to start work throughout the country. For the most part (approximately 140) these services are run by Lebenshilfe. This service system for the care of handicapped persons, offering help in daily life for persons with handicap and their families, is therefore quite well established. This article describes the development of services for handicapped persons in the FRG, putting respite care services in this historical context. The need for, and philosophy of, respite care services are described and current efforts of the National Society, Lebenshilfe, are noted. Following a brief review of the concept of respite care and recent attempts to operationalize it in everyday practice, the article considers how the concept has evolved in response to practical experience and how it may evolve further in response to future developments.