Respite care provides short-term, or temporary, care for seniors. It can be for a few hours, a day, overnight or a couple of weeks – all depending on your circumstances.

If you’re interested in accessing respite care with us, we can ensure a happy, safe and caring community with high quality care. Every effort is made to make sure we keep the usual routines of the person in our care.

What type of respite care services are available?

Depending on your circumstances, there are a few types of respite services.

In-home respite

A care worker comes to your home or may take you on an outing for a few hours so your carer can have a break or go out.

Centre-based respite

Anglicare has a number of day centres as well as social groups that meet in some local Anglican churches. Our day centres provide a place where you can socialise and join in a range of activities such as arts and crafts, outdoor games, outings to interesting locations and events, bingo, board games and film screenings. Whatever your interests and abilities (including those with memory loss and living with dementia), we will cater to you. Transport can be arranged and meals are provided.

Overnight weekend respite

Our respite cottage, located in the lower Blue Mountains, offers carers a weekend break from their caring role. The cottage is a cosy home–away-from-home where guests are cared for by staff experienced in ageing and dementia care.

Social groups

If you like getting out and about, making new friends, sharing good times, good food, activities, games, bus trips, events, exercise classes and fun, our social groups could be for you. Our group sizes range from small interest groups of around eight people to large events with up to 50 people attending.

Residential respite care

If you require help every day and your carer would like to go on holidays, to an event, is unwell or is unable to care for you, whether planned or an emergency this respite might suit you. This short term stay is in a residential care home and you return home once your carer is back.

While respite care is a short-term option, the government allows up to 63 days of respite care per financial year, however extensions may be granted. 

To access respite care in one of our care homes, the carer (and the person receiving care) will need to meet with an Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT). This will determine the most appropriate level of care required and then we’ll know which home would be best suited.

Am I eligible?

If you’re the primary carer for someone aged 65 years or more (or 50 years or over for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islanders), or if you look after someone with dementia, you can qualify for respite services.

Government-subsidised respite care is available for day and overnight stays. Before this service can be accessed, you need to contact My Aged Care for an assessment.

Where is respite care provided?

• In your home – we offer care by the hour, half day or full day.
• At a respite day centre – from 7.00am to 7.00pm at centres throughout Sydney and the Illawarra. Check our location map to find a centre close to you. We can arrange transport to and from the centre to your home.
• In one of our residential care homes.
  

Carer support groups

Some of our villages offer carer support groups which are based on a needs level. Our support groups are run by an Anglicare Care Coordinator and they’ll give you the chance to talk to other people who are in a similar situation so you not only receive support but can also learn a great deal.