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Short-term care to support carers
Short-term care, or respite care, is a special form of support for carers, giving you the opportunity to attend to everyday activities and have a break from your caring role. Short-term care may be given informally by friends, family, neighbours or by formal respite services.
Respite services, can be provided at home, for a few hours at a time or at facilities such as day care centres and aged care homes. Short-term care may be for a few hours, days or longer periods, depending on your needs, the person you care for, and what services are available.
Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centres are experienced in finding respite options for people of all ages and conditions. They can be contacted by calling 1800 200 422 or for emergency respite support outside standard business hours on 1800 059 059.
Home and Community Care (HACC)
The HACC Program is designed to meet basic maintenance and support needs of people living at home either independently or with a carer. A variety of short-term care options are available.Read more: About the Home and Community Care Program
Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centres
The Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centre nearest to you has local knowledge and can provide you with information about respite care and Day Therapy Centres (more information). Call 1800 200 422 during business hours or for emergency respite support outside standard business hours, call 1800 059 059.Fees and charges for respite care
People who enter and receive respite in aged care homes funded by government can be asked to pay a maximum rate per day. In this case, a booking fee may also be charged to assist in securing a place. This is a prepayment of respite care fees and not an additional payment. Moreover, it cannot be more than a full week’s fee, or 25% of the fee for the entire stay, whichever amount is the lowest. Respite residents in government-funded (more information) aged care homes do not pay an accommodation charge or accommodation bond – nor do they have to pay any additional income-tested charges.People who receive respite services in their own home or at a day care centre pay fees according to the type of service they receive. The amounts can vary, from an hourly rate for in-home respite, to a sessional fee for a morning or afternoon in a day care centre.
Transition Care Program
The Transition Care Program has been designed to help the person you are caring for improve their independence and confidence after a hospital stay. The program provides low-intensity therapy (more information) and support as a part of an ongoing but slower recovery process, giving the person you are caring for the time to determine what level of care they will require in the future.Read more: About the Transition Care Program
Common questions on this topic:
- 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?
- What if my carer or I need a break?
See more common questions on this topic | See all common questions