Respite care explained

Types of respite

There are a few kinds of respite. Many families use more than one:

• In-home respite: a care worker comes to your home, during the day or overnight
• Day centre respite: the person spends the day at a centre or club with activities, often from about 10am to 3pm
• Cottage respite: an overnight or weekend stay, usually 2 to 3 days, in a home-like house in the community
• Residential respite: a short stay in an aged care home, often for a few weeks
• Emergency respite: urgent care if you suddenly cannot provide care

How to get respite

For people aged 65 or older (or 50 or older for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people), the first step is an aged care assessment. Contact My Aged Care on 1800 200 422.

Depending on the assessment, in-home, day centre and cottage respite may come through the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) or a Support at Home plan. Residential respite needs its own approval in the assessment.

Approval does not guarantee a place. Contact providers early, because waits can be long. For people under 65 with disability, ask about respite in their NDIS plan.

Emergency respite

If you suddenly cannot care, for example because you are ill or there is a family emergency, call Carer Gateway on 1800 422 737. Emergency respite is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Urgent residential respite can sometimes be arranged before a full assessment.

What it costs

Costs depend on the type of respite, and you may be asked to pay something towards it. Under Support at Home, respite counts as an "independence" service. Full pensioners pay the lowest share and self-funded retirees pay the most. With CHSP, ask each provider what you will pay.

For residential respite, the government subsidises up to 63 days each financial year. The assessor can approve more time, 21 days at a time. You do not pay means-tested fees or accommodation costs. The home can charge a basic daily fee, which is capped at 85% of the single basic Age Pension. It may also ask for a booking fee. This is limited, and it comes off your daily fees once the stay starts.

Getting ready for a first stay

A little planning helps everyone settle:

• start with short breaks, then build up to longer ones
• explain it in simple, positive words, and reassure the person if they feel worried
• tell staff about routines, likes and dislikes, food, and what helps when the person is upset (the All about me sheet makes this easy)
• pack labelled clothes, glasses, hearing aids and an up-to-date list of medicines
• expect a few unsettled days, as getting used to a new place can take time
• use the time for yourself, and try to rest

Feeling guilty?

Many carers feel they should do everything themselves. But regular breaks help you keep caring for longer. The person you care for may enjoy new company and activities too.

Finding respite near Bunbury

Use the Find a provider search on the My Aged Care website to look for respite near your postcode. You can also ask Carer Gateway what is available in the South West. Our local support page lists aged care homes, carer groups and respite services in the region.