RESPITE CARE - STEP BY STEP GUIDE

Determine your eligibility

If you’re found to be eligible for government funded care—be it in your own home, or an aged care home—you can start using those care services right away, or at some future date. The decision is yours.
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For more information, please speak with your doctor, visit the My Aged Care website or call My Aged Care at 1800 200 422. ​

​To determine if you or your loved one is eligible for Respite, an assessment must be completed by the Aged Care Assessment Service (ACAS) through My Aged Care, the Australian Government body responsible for aged care services.

This is normally organised through your Doctor (GP), social worker or health professional. A member of the ACAS team will visit you at home, and talk with you about your current lifestyle and care needs. 

​Find the right home for you

Deciding which aged home is right for you or a loved one depends a lot on personal preference. We are all individuals and have specific requirements. At St Catherine's, we aim to be personal and accommodating as possible.
 
We invite you to visit us at St Catherine's and to have a tour to meet and speak with residents and members of our staff. This will provide an excellent opportunity to discuss the care, support and lifestyle you are seeking. Whatever your individual interests, this is the time to ask. You’ll soon get a sense of the culture of the home, and the values of those who work there

​We understand you don’t want to fill out paperwork or applications for respite, so we won’t make you. All we require is a simple personal details form to be completed and we will manage everything else on your behalf.

Cost of respite

The cost of respite care is set and established by the Department of Health and known as a Basic Daily Fee.

​The basic daily fee covers your day-to-day living costs such as meals, cleaning, laundry, heating, cooling, nursing as well as social activities.

What do I bring with me?

All you need to bring with you for your respite stay are your clothes and toiletries.
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Consider your respite stay like a holiday, everything else is provided for you. We recommend bringing a couple of framed photos of family, friends or pets so your stay feels homely.

​ Still have questions?

​Naturally you’re going to have many questions now and into the future, our caring and dedicated team are available to assist you or your loved one at any time.

Feel free to contact us if you have any questions or concerns.

Additional information, tools and resources can be obtained via the many links on out Information page.