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Short-term care overview
If you’re caring for an older person, or you’re an older person living at home and need help recovering from an operation, you may find yourself needing a break and a little extra help, for a few days or just a few hours. Either way, there’s lots of support available to make your life easier.
What type of support is available?
There are two main types of short-term care available – respite care and transition care.
Respite care
If you live on your own and feel you’re unable to look after yourself and need a break, you may be able to go into an aged care home for a short while. This type of break is called ‘respite care’. Or, if your carer needs time off to look after their own affairs or well-being, then respite care can be offered – in other words, someone else will look after you for a short while, either in your home, a day centre or an aged care home.
Read more: Respite care
Transition care
If you or the person you care for has just been to hospital, you may need to take some time to decide what level of care will best suit your needs – especially if those needs have changed. If so, you may be entitled to receive ‘transition care’ – a little extra help and therapy, offered either in hospital, an aged care home or your own home.
Read more: Transition care
Common questions on this topic:
- I'm tired all the time looking after my uncle. What can I do?
- What if my carer or I need a break?
- The doctor says I am ready to leave hospital, but I'm not sure I'll be able cope at home immediately. What can I do?
See more common questions on this topic | See all common questions
