Short-Term Respite

You may be able to get emergency respite at short notice when you find yourself in a situation where you are unable to provide care to your recipient - for example: if you are unexpectedly ill or injured.

It’s a good idea to make an emergency care plan, just in case someone else needs to take over for you.

Emergency respite is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week:
Call Carer Gateway on 1800 422 737.

Make your own emergency care plan by filling out Carer Gateway’s blank template and cards here.

Planned respite can be:

• for a short time (for example, for a few hours each week)

• for a longer time, including overnight (for example, a weekend)

• on a regular basis (for example, once a fortnight)

Respite can be provided by family, friends or by a respite service. It can take place at home, in the community, at a centre or in a residential aged care facility.

Services like My Aged Care or the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) may provide respite for the person you care for.

Some community organisations offer care for particular groups (for example, activities for children or cultural groups). They may also offer activities for the person you care for, such as social events or therapy sessions. This can give you time for yourself.

Some carer groups also offer activities for carers (for example, morning teas or yoga classes) to help you take a break.

At Alfred Health Carer Services, we can help you explore respite options.

Receiving respite services can depend on:

• where you live and what services are available in your area

• the sort of care needed

• how urgent your need is

Call and speak with Carer Gateway on 1800 422 737 to find out what respite care is available in your area.

If you require respite and the person you care for is aged 65 or over, call My Aged Care on 1800 200 422.

My Aged Care may be able to arrange community or residential respite for the person you care for. You and the person you care for will be assessed to see if you can get respite. You and the assessor can talk about and decide which services would best suit you and the person you care for.

If you are caring for someone with a disability and can get an NDIS package, call the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) on 1800 800 110.

NDIS participants can use funding from their plan to access respite, allowing carers a short break from their caring role.

Speak with your coordinator or planner to find out what respite supports are available.

Depending on who provides the care, the length of time involved, and the sort of care - respite care may sometimes be free.

• Some schemes might offer respite care at no cost to you. If the person you care for has disability, the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) may be able to support them to access respite. If the person you care for is aged over 65, My Aged Care may be able to arrange respite care for them.

• Some organisations offer free or subsidised (low cost) services. They may assess your income and assets to see how much you can contribute to paying for the services.

• In an emergency, you may be able to get free respite care. If you need emergency respite, call Carer Gateway on 1800 422 737.

Paid respite care:

• Some organisations offer private respite services that you pay for. Each organisation sets its own fees for these services.

If you need respite care, you can call us on 1800 51 21 21 to find out what is available in your area.

We can explore what respite options are available to you, in some cases, we may be able to organise free short-term respite while you look into regular respite options.

Planning regular breaks from your caring role can help you to avoid stress.

It’s a good idea to plan ahead because respite services are often busy and can get booked out. Booking early gives you a better chance of finding the respite that suits you, when you want it.

Respite care can also help the person you care for. They may like a change of scene, to socialise and meet new people, or take part in activities not available at home.