What is respite care?
Respite care provides short-term care for older people. Respite care may be for a few days or a few weeks, depending on what you and your family need. At Whiddon, we offer a range of respite care options, including hourly, day or overnight respite in your own home, or longer respite care in one of our residential homes.
Respite care gives carers and family members the opportunity to recharge, take a short break and attend to daily life, knowing that their family member is being looked after, just as they are at home.
Is respite care right for me?
Respite care can be used for a number of reasons and our respite options are flexible to suit your needs.
- you may have been in hospital or unwell and require some additional help and care while you recover and get back on your feet,
- your carer may be going away on holiday or have a busy period at work and need some additional support,
- or you may be starting to look at moving into a residential aged care home and looking at your options. A short term stay is a great way to experience an aged care home and see whether it’s right for you before moving in permanently.
Getting started
The first step to accessing respite care is to be assessed by an Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT). This assessment helps understand your care and support needs and what type of respite would best suit your needs, lifestyle and goals.
Once assessed by an ACAT you can receive up to 63 days of funded respite in a residential care home each year. You may also be eligible for respite at home or through a day respite program.
Please talk to your GP or Hospital, or phone MyAgedCare on 1800 200 422, to find out more about being assessed and the types of services that you may be eligible for.
