Respite

What is Respite?

Respite support is when carers can take a short-term or time-limited break while someone else supports the person with a disability. The aim of respite support is to provide a positive experience for both the person with a disability and the carer.

Respite support is where a person with a disability is engaged in:

  • Community Participation - participating in every day activities
  • In-home support - providing support in the person’s home
  • Out of home support - providing support in a family environment, at a camp, holiday or weekend away, or during an overnight stay in a facility.

Respite support is flexible and can be:

  • Planned throughout the year so that there are regular or occasional breaks, for example, support can be for a couple of hours, a day, a weekend, a week or more
  • Unplanned when a break is needed at short notice and/or an emergency when there is an immediate need such as a carer going to hospital.

Where do I start?

The Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centre is an Australian Government funded program designed to assist carers in accessing respite services. The services at present include:

  • Emergency Respite - Carers are able to access emergency respite in the event of medical emergencies or crisis
     
  • Short Term Respite - Occasional and planned respite for carers who need support for the person they care for when the carer has an appointment to attend, is going on holidays, wishes to spend time with family, or just needs some time out to relax.
     
  • Residential Respite - This service links carers with available residential respite for the person for whom they care for.

The key to this service is ensuring you are registered. This will make access to respite a lot quicker in times of need. However, if not registered, you will still be able to access the service by phoning 1800 052 222.

You can register by phone 1800 052 222. The process will take approximately 30 minutes. If you are in the South/East region (up to & including Campbelltown Council area), you also have the option of completing a registration form online at www.carersupport.org.au.

Searching for services

The Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centre also hase a comprehensive website for those who wish to search what services may be available. When entering the search page, select 'RESPITE' from the list of services.

The four regional Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centres may have information for services that are not listed on the website. The Centres are located at:

  • North and West Metropolitan, 77 Gibson Street, BOWDEN SA 5007
  • South and East Metropolitan, 290 Glen Osmond Road, FULLARTON SA 5063
  • North and West Country, 33 Mackay Street, PORT AUGUSTA SA 5700
  • South and East Country, 95 Swanport Road, MURRAY BRIDGE SA 5253

 Local Councils

Respite is available in many forms. Your local council may have some services that could be available to you - particularly help within your own home.

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