Respite care?
Respite care can support you and your carer with a break for a short period of time. This gives carers the chance to get to everyday activities or go on a planned break. Respite care may be given informally by family, friends or neighbours, or by formal respite care services.
Formal respite care may be for a few hours, days or for longer periods.
It can take place in the home, an overnight respite cottage, a day centre or an aged care home.
There are different types of respite care to suit your situation depending on your needs, eligibility and what services are available in the area:
community based respite care residential respite care (short stays in aged care homes).
Community based respite care
here are a range of respite services to support you and your carer so that regular carers can take a break or continue working or training. Community based respite can be on a planned or emergency basis. Types of respite care include:
- In-home respite usually involves a paid carer coming to your home so that your carer can go out for a few hours. They may also take you for an outing for a few hours while your carer has a break. This type of respite is available during the day or overnight.
- Centre-based day respite usually takes place at a day centre or club. It offers structured group activities or outings that give you a chance to do things that you enjoy and talk with other people. Day respite often runs from 10am to 3pm and may include transport to and from the centre.
- Overnight or weekend respite may be provided under ‘cottage style’ respite in the community or in the home of a host family.
- Community access respite provides activities and outings to give you a sense of independence and some social interaction, while giving your carer a break. This may be provided to you individually or as part of a group.
- Day-to-day bills
Access to community based respite care
You will need a free assessment with a Regional Assessment Service (RAS) to work out if you are eligible for planned respite care under the Commonwealth Home Support Programme. Call My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 to be referred for a free assessment with a RAS.
Residential respite care (short stays in aged care homes)
If you need help from your carer every day, you may need to have a short stay in an aged care home. This is called ‘residential respite care’, and can be on a planned or emergency basis. You may use this type of respite service if your carer will be away to attend an event, or is unwell or unable to provide care for any other reason. Once your carer is back, you will return home.
Costs
Costs for respite care vary depending on your circumstances and the kind of care you need. The Australian Government subsidises a range of aged care services in Australia. You are expected to contribute to the cost of your care if you can afford to. What you pay is discussed and agreed upon between you and the organisation that delivers your respite services. The rate is set before you receive the services. For residential respite care through an aged care home you will have to pay a basic daily fee and perhaps a booking fee, but not an accommodation charge, bond or any additional income-tested fees. The booking fee is a prepayment of respite care fees and not an extra payment. The booking fee cannot be more than either a full week’s basic daily fee or 25% of the fee for the entire stay, depending on which amount is the lowest.