Current location
You are here: help with aged care homes > types of care and services > short-term care > short-term care in aged care homesHelp with aged care homes
Short-term care in aged care homes
Respite care (more information) in an aged care home is short-term care on a planned or emergency basis, where the person will ultimately return home.
How do I access respite care?
Respite care can be provided at a low-level care (more information)or high-level care (more information) in an aged care home once an Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT or ACAS in Victoria) (more information) has assessed you as needing one of these levels of care. There are exceptions for emergency situations. Phone 1800 200 422 during business hours or, for emergency respite support outside standard business hours, 1800 059 059. Respite can also be provided in the community.Read more: About the services provided through respite care
How much respite care can I have?
You may have 63 days of respite care in a financial year, with the possibility of extensions of 21 days at a time if an ACAT considers this necessary.Respite care in aged care homes assists frail older people who are living at home and gives carers a break from their usual care arrangements. Carers can use respite to help with stress, in the event of illness, for holidays or the inability to provide care for other reasons. People who live alone may also stay in an aged care home for a short break.
The availability of services may vary from region to region.
For further information on respite services in your area, telephone 1800 200 422 during business hours or, for emergency respite support outside standard business hours, 1800 059 059 for more details.
What fees do I have to pay?
If a person receives government-subsidised respite care in an aged care home, they will be asked to pay a basic daily fee. A booking fee may also be payable to assist in organising care. The booking fee is a prepayment of respite care fees and not an extra payment. Respite residents do not pay an accommodation charge or accommodation bond. And they don’t have to pay any additional income-tested fees.Common questions on this topic:
- My parents live together in an independent living unit in an aged care complex. Dad is quite frail and relies on my mum a lot. We think that he should go into an aged care home for respite to give mum a break from her caring role, but he refuses to go. What can we do?
- I need to arrange respite care for Dad. Who can help me?
- I really need a break but Dad refuses to go into an aged care home or community house for respite care. What can I do?
See more common questions on this topic | See all common questions