Respite care: a short stay that helps everyone

The main types of respite

• Residential respite — a short stay in an aged care home, from a couple of weeks to a couple of months
• In-home respite — a support worker cares for your loved one at home while you take a break
• Day respite and community programs — structured days out with care and activities
• Emergency respite — arranged at short notice through the Carer Gateway on 1800 422 737

The 63-day subsidy

Government-subsidised residential respite is available for up to 63 days per financial year, and can be extended by up to 21 days at a time when an assessor approves it. An ACAT assessment is needed first, so it's worth arranging before you urgently need it.

During respite, your loved one pays the basic daily fee — the same daily fee all residents pay — but no accommodation payment (RAD or DAP) is charged for a respite stay. Any extra service fees the home charges still apply.

Using respite as a trial

Many families use a respite stay to see how a parent settles into a particular home before committing to permanent care. It answers the questions a tour can't: How is the food, really? Do staff respond at night? Does Mum seem calmer after a week?

If the home is right, moving from respite to permanent residency at the same home is a well-worn path — and far easier than starting a search from scratch.

How to arrange it

Register with My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 and request an assessment that includes respite approval. Then contact homes directly about respite vacancies — or let us do it. For carers who need a break urgently, the Carer Gateway (1800 422 737) can arrange emergency respite, including outside business hours.