[A concept for relieving family caregivers--the Dreycedern Project: a prototype facility for demented patients]

The burden facing family caregivers increases when dementia in aged persons progresses. The Dreycedern project therefore offers direct and indirect respite services, with the demented patients staying at the Dreycedern facility for one or two days a week. The care given by the facility provides family caregivers with direct relief and is aimed at activating the patient's remaining physical and mental abilities. Indirect respite takes the form of caregiver counselling and participation in a self-help group. The accompanying field study primarily focusses on the effects on the respite provided on "family caregiver burden", as well as on the impact of the activating care given to the demented persons concern-ing their mental status and greater independence, or otherwise, in day-to-day activities.