Whether it’s for a short period or ongoing, when you are not able to live independently at home and need ongoing help with everyday tasks or health care, residential aged care may be the best option for you and your family.
Residential aged care provides a home-away-from-home, including accommodation and personal care 24 hours a day, as well as access to nursing and general health care services.
Residential aged care can be offered as either short-term respite care or permanent, ongoing care, with specialisation in dementia and palliative care.
A person must be approved as a resident (either respite or permanent resident) before they can enter subsidised residential aged care. The designated assessment team must approve a care recipient. People can apply for an assessment, or reassessment, through My Aged Care.
What is residential respite care?
For so many families, caring for a loved one is an act of love. But while our hearts are filled with love, the job of being a carer is demanding, emotionally exhausting and constant.
Residential respite care is a short-term stay in an aged care community. Respite provides a break for carers and a change of scenery for the family or friends they care for. It can also be helpful after a hospital admission, when care needs might be higher.
When you receive residential respite, you are entitled to the same care and support services as permanent residents of the aged care home. For example, you will be given a room and hotel-type services such as meals, laundry, and social activities, as well as services to meet your personal and care needs.
What are the benefits of respite care?
For carers:
Rest, relax, recharge
Caring for someone can be very demanding, both physically and emotionally. Respite care can give carers a break to recharge and come back to their caring role feeling refreshed and renewed.
An opportunity to take care of themselves
Carers often put their own needs last, but it’s important for them to take care of themselves both physically and mentally. Respite care can give carers a chance to do things they enjoy, such as spending time with friends and family, going on holiday, or simply relaxing at home.
Prevent carer fatigue
Carer burnout is a real risk, and it can have serious impacts on the carer’s health and wellbeing. Respite care can help to prevent carer burnout by giving carers a regular, scheduled break where they can relax and know their loved one is completely taken care of.
For residents:
A change of scenery and routine
This can be beneficial for their physical and mental health.
Social interaction and engagement
Aged care communities provide daily activities, offering a chance to socialise and try new things. This is a wonderful opportunity for people who are socially isolated or whose health would benefit from some fresh new activities.
Care you can trust
Staff are qualified, caring professionals. This means that you can relax in the confidence that your loved one is receiving good care.
Explore before you commit
Another key benefit to respite care is getting to experience life in an aged care community firsthand. Moving into permanent aged care can be daunting, so respite is a positive way to visit a community before making a long-term shift.
How to access respite care
A respite stay may be planned in advance, however emergency respite care is available too. Eligible clients can access 63 days of respite care each financial year, with the possibility to extend for up to 21 days with approval from an approved assessor.
To access respite care, you will need to contact My Aged Care to arrange a current assessment. You may already have this if you’re receiving Home Care.
Residential permanent care
We know that aging in your own home is what we all strive for. However when this is no longer possible, sometimes the best option for you and your family may be to permanently ‘move home’ into an aged care community. An aged care community can give you the care and services you need to maintain your quality of life.
Along with the having care staff on hand 24/7, you will have access to nursing and general health care services, your accommodation and meals are all looked after, and the companionship of other residents keeps you connected.
Similar to Government-subsidised home care, an assessment, or reassessment if you currently receive subsidised home care, will determine your eligibility into a residential aged care community, ensuring you receive the care and support service that you require.
Carinity Residential Aged Care
Carinity also provides permanent, short-term respite and dementia-specific residential care at our 11 residential aged care communities across Queensland.
If you’re interested in finding out more about residential aged care within a Carinity community, we make the process easy. Just give us a call on 1300 109 109 or email agedcare@carinity.org.au and we’ll take you through the process.
It’s important to note that respite care is subject to availability.
Carinity Home Care offers a full range of care
We also provide:
Other support services:
Meet our clients
Meet Andrea and Dave
Carinity Home Care’s commitment to ensuring seniors like Andrea and Dave live the life they love in the home and community they love is as strong as it was 30 years ago.
Meet Glenese
Familiar, trusted faces from Carinity Home Care provided Glenese more support than just help at home: they have kept the wheels moving during a challenging time.
Meet Linda
Living life has never looked so good for Linda. The last year has been full of learning new skills, purpose-filled experiences and lots of fun.