Increasingly, older people in Australia are choosing to remain living in their own homes for as long as they are able. This is possible through the support of our family and friends, and the provision of services such as domestic work, personal and mobility care, and social support needs that are provided by in-home care organisations such as Care Connect.
Whilst receiving ongoing care from family members can be a positive and rewarding experience for all, it can also put a strain on relationships, and sometimes it takes more than love to succeed. As you/your carer try to balance between navigating others needs with your own, and that of other members of the family, the pressure can become overwhelming, so it is important that that you have a break to reset the relationship.
Organising respite care with Care Connect can provide a positive experience, both for the carer and the person being cared for. It gives everyone a temporary break and allows carers to attend to their own care and everyday needs, and those being cared for to meet new people, or do new activities.
Respite services can last from a few hours to a few weeks, dependent on your in-home care support package, or your circumstances*. You can organise for regular respite care, or you might want to have respite care now and again. Sometimes a carer might need emergency respite care if, for example, they get sick or need to go to hospital. To find out more about the types of respite care and your eligibility**:
- Carer Gateway: carergateway.gov.au, telephone: 1800 422 737
- Care Connect: careconnect.org.au/in-home-respite-care-services, telephone: 1800 692 464.
*Some respite services are free and some are not. It depends on your circumstances, the type of care, the length of time, and the provider. The government provides subsidised access to a variety of respite services.
**You may need an assessment to receive some types of respite care. Assessments are a way of working out how much help you need and the types of services you are eligible to receive. It’s all about what’s best for you and your situation. Your team at Care Connect will be able to advise the best way forward.