What is short-term respite care?
Respite care offers a short-term option for people requiring care and for their carers that may need a break. It can be accessed in your home, in the community, or in a residential aged care home. All of our Estia Health aged care homes offer residential respite care, giving you the option to join us for a short stay.
For carers, looking after someone requires an incredible amount of commitment and dedication and there will be a time where you need to take time away for appointments, a holiday, or just a short break to look after yourself. Respite Care services provide the opportunity to do that, knowing your loved one is being cared for in a safe and supportive environment.
People come for a short stay with us for a number of reasons; it may be an option for someone transitioning from a hospital stay following an accident or illness, requiring additional care and support before moving home. For many, respite care can also be an opportunity to try residential aged care before making the permanent move into a residential aged care home.
What can you expect at an Estia Health home?
When you come for a short stay at one of our homes, you’ll have peace of mind, being cared for by an experienced and compassionate team in a safe and supportive environment. Our experienced clinicians, carers and hospitality teams look after all aspects of a resident’s care, including clinical, social and overall wellbeing, while staying in our homes.
Respite care can be booked with us in advance, but we can also provide emergency respite services in urgent or difficult situations, for example, if a carer becomes unwell, or has a hospital stay of their own.
When a short-term stay becomes permanent
Doreen resides in one of our homes. Originally she came for a short respite stay before deciding to move in permanently.
Accessing short-term respite care and costs
To access government-supported respite care, you and your carer will need to undergo a face-to-face assessment with a qualified assessor (called an ACAT or ACAS assessment), which is a process to determine the level of care you require.
If you’re eligible for respite care, you can access subsidised respite care at a capped amount of days each financial year, which includes both planned and emergency residential respite care. This can be organised via the My Aged Care portal by applying for an assessment online or by calling 1800 200 422.
As a respite resident, you will be charged a basic daily care fee for each day you stay in our home, which is determined by the Australian Government and is set as 85% of a single aged pension. Each of our homes also offer a range of additional services for residents with a daily fee. For more information on residential aged care fees and costs, visit our understanding costs page or speak to a team member today on 1300 682 833.
I'm a carer
As an unpaid carer looking after family, friends or a loved one, the ongoing responsibility and dedication can take its toll. COVID-19 has significantly impacted all of us, but for older people requiring care and support, the pandemic has resulted in further isolation and often delays in accessing care and support services, resulting in an even greater burden on carers and increased isolation.
At Estia Health, we understand this and we’re here to help. When the person you care for comes for respite care in one of our homes, this will give you time for a much-needed break, to recharge and care for your own physical and mental wellbeing while having the peace of mind your loved one is being looked after by an experienced and compassionate team in a safe and supportive environment. While staying with us, your loved one will have the chance to socialise with others, get involved in daily activities, enjoy nutritious food cooked daily by our chef and around-the-clock care delivered by our nursing and care team.
For any other carers support, you can talk to Carers Gateway, an Australian Government initiative providing a range of services for unpaid carers by visiting the Carers Gateway website or by calling 1800 422 737,
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For the second time in two years, the wonderful people at Estia Health Altona Meadows have nursed my husband back to health and he will be coming home soon. My deepest thanks to Cori, Liz and all the dedicated staff for their dedication and compassion.
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Family member - Resident -
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My 90 year old mum has just had 4 weeks respite stay and I must say I have not seen her look more happy. For myself as the only family carer the backup help and guidance from the administration team could not have been better. Plus from my mum's perspective she loved the care and attention she received everyday. They made her feel very much at home. Now back at home I am battling to keep up the standards set.
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I would like to personally thank everyone involved in taking my care of my mum during her emergency respite when she needed it most. The pressure relieved from myself and my whole family was immense and furthermore the quality of the care was far above the degree I expected and anticipated. All the carers were indeed so sensitive and kind. This whole experience has restored my faith in the entire system. Even amid a vivid outbreak the protocols were rigorously observed to the best of everyone’s ability. Thanks all.
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Family
Frequently asked questions
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How do I find short-term respite care near me?
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Can I get dementia care as a respite resident?
When staying in one of our homes our experienced clinicians, carers and hospitality teams look after all aspects of a resident’s care, including clinical, social and overall wellbeing, and offer dementia and palliative care services, which can be accessed for short-term respite care or a longer stay.
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I need to access respite care urgently following an emergency situation
If you require emergency respite care, then we can help – we can accept residents on this basis without an ACAT assessment. Please call a member of our friendly team today on 1300 682 833. Alternatively, you can contact Carer Gateway on 1800 422 737.
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How do I know if I’m eligible for respite care?
To access government-supported respite care, you and your carer will need to undergo a face-to-face assessment with a qualified assessor (called an ACAT or ACAS assessment), which is a process to determine the level of care you require. This can be organised via the My Aged Care portal by applying for an assessment online or by calling 1800 200 422.
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How much respite care can I access in a year?
If you’re eligible for respite care, you can access up to 63 days of subsidised respite care in a financial year, which includes both planned and emergency residential respite care.
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What happens if I don’t qualify for subsidised respite care?
If you don’t qualify for subsidised care, you may have to pay for respite care yourself. This is called ‘self-funded’ respite and fees will vary between our different homes depending on the services we offer.
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How does respite care work?
Respite care provides short-term relief for primary caregivers. It can be arranged for just an afternoon or for several days or weeks. Care can be provided at home, in an aged care residence, or at an adult day centre. At Estia Health we provide respite care in all of our homes for days, weeks or months. You may also decide to change from respite care to permanent care.
When you think you may require respite, it is a good idea to try and book your spot in advance. And the best way to do this is to visit the home of your choice in advance. That way you can have a good look around and feel comfortable with your choice.
If, however you need immediate help with respite, you are able to book into most places straight away. All you will need to do is contact the home you are interested in and they will let you know if they have beds available.
Respite can be for a short time, or if the resident is comfortable and happy, it may end up being a great solution to stay and respite may end up being long term care. This is often the case for a lot of residents. However, it can also be a short term stay after an operation, fall, or when the caregiver is away and or needing a break.
Your accommodation and care costs may be partly or fully covered by the government which will be determined by a means assessment.
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Why is respite care important?
It may be hard to imagine leaving your loved one in someone else's care but taking a break can be one of the best things you can do for yourself — as well as the person you're caring for. There is nothing wrong with needing a break from the person you are looking after day-to-day. In fact, some time away from each other can be healthy and necessary. For carers, regular breaks can mean that they are better able to continue to provide their loved ones with quality care. Respite care also reduces the risk of abuse or neglect as caregivers are not as exhausted.
For families, respite can help improve the health and happiness of the family unit. Respite care also provides the opportunity for those entering the home to have the opportunity to meet new people (reducing feelings of isolation) participate in general lifestyle activities such as interacting in games, crafts, music, arts, bus outings, learning new skills just to name a few, which helps to increase their mental wellbeing. Additionally, your loved one gets to live alongside current aged care residents, which can help to ease their fears.
With respite care you have peace of mind that the health care needs of your loved one are being met and you can rest knowing your loved one is good hands. This includes 24/7 care, which can be particularly beneficial if your sleep is being affected by caring for someone at night, or you have a busy lifestyle and can’t be available as much as you’d like to be.
Let us help you with the next steps
What will it cost?
When moving into an aged care home the amount you pay will depend on the home and room you choose, your own circumstances and means to pay for the available care and services. Your accommodation and care costs may be partly or fully covered by the government, which will be determined by a means assessment.
Will it suit my needs?
We have 70+ homes in NSW, QLD, SA and VIC and all offer care for those requiring a short-term or a longer stay, as well as helping people requiring urgent care. Our experienced and compassionate teams care for people with a range of complex conditions, including people living with dementia, as well as those requiring palliative and end-of-life-care.
What are the next steps?
Moving home is a big decision, especially when it comes to aged care. Let us guide you through the process step-by-step with the right information at the right time. We will support you from your initial enquiry, answering your questions on the types of care we offer, the costs involved through to when you're ready to move into your new home.
Thank you to our residents and employees that feature on our website.
