Carer respite - How to organise respite care and get a break from caring
An invaluable and often under utilised resource for carers is respite care. Respite care gives carers a break from the caring role.
Caring for a person at home 24 hours a day can be exhausting. Carers often have little time to do things they enjoy or feel guilty about taking some time out. If other family members and friends can't help, a useful alternative is organising respite care.
There is a variety of government funded and private community based services available that offer respite care including:
- Day care centres
- Activity programs
- In-home care respite
- Temporary residential care in an aged care home
- Holiday respite
- Private nursing agencies
Taking a break from caring
Respite care can be provided in or outside the home. It could be for a few hours a week, overnight or a number of weeks a year. Respite care can mean big changes for a person. It is normal for older people to initially be reluctant to use respite care. This usually passes and after a period of adjustment respite care is usually looked forward to.
Day care centres and activity programs give an ageing person the opportunity to socialise. Meeting people outside the carer relationship can add a new dimension to life and allowing for a little independence.
Many carers feel guilty for wanting time to themselves. Taking time out can be hard but everyone needs a break at some point. Carer's need to remind themselves to look after their own wellbeing. Don't wait until you feel exhausted or a crisis occurs to organise respite care.
Residential respite care
Residential respite care is a good way of introducing residential care to a loved one who refuses to accept they need help, or is unsure of the move into an aged care home.
Residential respite care is also a great way for carers to take an extended and well earned break from caring. Carers can relax knowing that a loved one is getting 24 hour nursing care.
Temporary respite in a residential care facility can be an important transition step for some ageing people. Respite care can help a person get used to new surroundings and help establish relationships with staff.
Emergency respite care
A crisis situation can happen at any time. For carers it can disrupt the care of a loved one. Emergencies often happen after hours when a carer becomes suddenly ill or there is a crisis in a relationship or care needs to be organised immediately and there is no one to turn to.
Emergency respite can be organised to make arrangements for care in case of an unexpected emergency event by calling The Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centre on 1800 052 222. This service is available 24 hours 7 days a week.
Organising respite care
Respite services will vary depending on where you live. There can be waiting lists for governmnet funded care services so it is best to enquire early on.
Fees will depend on the type of respite care and possibly your income. Private respite care can be costly. The benefits are you can arrange care to suit your individual needs 24 hours a day.
- Contact a Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centre on 1800 052 222 to find a service in your area.
- To organise residential respite contact your local Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT). They are usually located at your nearest hospital or in the Age Page at the front of the telephone directory.
- Call The Aged Care Information Line 1800 200 422.
- Contact a local nursing or elder care agency.
Related articles
References
Alzheimer's Australia
Taking a break
Accessed 20/04/08
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It all sounds very good but the reality of getting respite is daunting. Very often there are no places available, particularly if you are so bold as to want to take a week or so for a holiday.Then when you do locate a place,the paperwork and other requirements can be so demanding that you end up too exhausted to enjoy your break.
For example - I located a respite place for my parent to stay in for ten days. I was required to supply a huge amount of clothing, in my mind far more than a 96 year old who spent most days in his pyjamas would ever need to wear; it all had to have name labels - sewn on, not ironed on!
The respire place was lovely but they did not place enough emphasis on safety or impress on my parent the need to buzz for assistance rather than just get up by himself - so he had a fall and ended up in hospital.
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