Current location
You are here: for carers and family > what programs are available? > consumer directed respite careFor carers and family
Consumer Directed Respite Care
Consumer (or self) Directed Respite Care (CDRC) allows carers to take a break from their caring role and will give carers a greater say and more control over the design and delivery of respite services provided to them and the person/s they care for. This will allow carers to make choices about the types of respite services they access and the delivery of those services, including who will deliver the services and when.
Each CDRC package provides an individual budget of $4,200 to be spent over 12 months as directed by the carer. CDRC packages are administered by Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centres (Centres) who remain the funds holder.
- How can CDRC help Me?
- Who is eligible?
- Administration of CDRC Packages
- Rights and Responsibilities
- Standards of Care
- Quality Reporting
- Do you have a complaint?
How can CDRC Help Me?
Each participating Centre is responsible for undertaking an assessment of each participating carer’s particular needs and is required to work with the carer to develop an agreed individualised respite plan.A CDRC package may include services such as in home respite, allowing the carer to have scheduled breaks throughout the year.
Who is eligible?
The eligibility for participation in CDRC is limited to carers who:- care for frail older Australians 65 years or over, or 50 and over if Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander (including people with dementia and/or challenging behaviour);
- are assessed as being likely to benefit from increased choice over their carer respite services;
- have a variety of service needs that maximise the choice that CDRC offers;
- willingly choose to participate;
- are assessed for their capacity to make informed decisions ;
- are assessed as having the capacity and an ability to manage a CDRC approach by an approved provider; and
- are willing to participate in the initiative’s evaluation.
Administration of CDRC Packages
The participating Centre administers the CDRC package. This includes assessing carers’ needs and helping develop a budget based on those needs. The participating Centres will administer the budget on behalf of the carer, including paying invoices, scheduling respite appointments with providers, and sending the career a monthly balance statement.Rights and Responsibilities
Community care service providers are expected to comply with obligations under their funding agreements and to deliver quality services that must meet national standards. You have the right to be treated respectfully, be informed and consulted about your care, and the right to make a complaint. In turn, you have a responsibility to treat your service provider with respect.Read more: About rights & responsibilities
Read more: The Aged Care Act 1997
Standards of Care
The Australian Government sets standards to ensure you receive quality care. For example, community care standards make sure that you receive a service that meets your individual needs and you have access to complaints procedures if you need them.Read more: About standards of care
Quality Reporting
s that take part in delivering CDRC to you are required to take part in Quality Reporting. It checks that services have systems and processes in place to meet the care standards that are put in place by government legislation.Read more: About Quality Reporting
Do you have a complaint?
If you have any concerns about the care being provided, it’s often best to raise your concerns, in the first instance, with the Centres. However, if you’re unable to resolve the issue or prefer not to complain directly to the service provider, the Aged Care Complaints Investigation Scheme is a free service that seeks to resolve you complaints about your health, safety and/or welfare – and it’s available to your relatives, guardians or representatives as well.Read more: About how to make a complaint