This paper aims to clarify the nature of respite care offered to impaired elderly while investigating the degree of stress on the part of caregivers, the effect of respite care, and the demand from the caregivers. The results of the survey are as follows : 1) The degree of stress the caregivers are likely to suffer from depends on their age as well as length of care giving. 2) The degree of the afore-mentioned stress is attributed to the users' mental conditions, but it does not follow that 'the intensity of caregivers' stress becomes greater in proportion to the seriousness of users' conditions. 3) Many of the caregivers, who feel satisfied to be able to get enough sleep as a result of respite care, have intensive stress. 4) In general, caregivers tend to demand respite care in an emergency case. This tendency is notable among the caregivers with intensive mental stress. 5) Many of caregivers, who hope to use institutional care for an extended period of time, have intensive stresses.