Community Respite

Southern Cross Care’s Community Respite is an award winning program of innovative service delivery.

Traditional respite models deliver simple activities with a large amount of down time. In this model clients rarely engage in activities of daily living that support their day-to-day life at home.

However, our health-focused model flips traditional respite options on its head. We offer daily exercise, weekly outings, social participation and activities of daily living such as cooking meals together. The Southern Cross Care community respite model has significant client and carer benefits. It was recognised with an Aged Care Service Australia Innovation Award (SA) in 2018. 

Our cottages provide clients with a sense of purpose regardless of changing cognitive and/or physical health. We often welcome clients with dementia or physical needs, such as those with neuromuscular disorders.

Community Respite offers day (centre-based) respite, overnight cottage respite, and flexible one on one respite services.

The cost of respite care is different depending on what type of funding you have. It also depends on the type of community respite you want to access. In most cases, Commonwealth Home Support Programme or Home Care Package funding will cover a majority of the cost. You may need to pay a small client contribution per day or night, which is slightly higher on weekends.

Ask our team for more specific costs that apply to your situation by calling 1800 852 722.

To use the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) funding you will need to undertake a RAS/ACAT assessment through My Aged Care. At the assessment you will need to request either a ‘Day centre based respite’ or ‘Cottage overnight respite’ or ‘Flexible respite’ referral code. 

If you are receiving a home care package- even if your home care package is with another aged care provider, these funds can be used to fund community respite services. Or alternatively there is the option to pay privately. Our capable staff are able to assist you in finding the right funding avenue for you. 

If you are eligible you can access a range of funding support options to help pay for respite. These include Home Care Packages, the Commonwealth Home Support Programme and Short-Term Restorative Care. You also have the option to pay privately for services.

Unlike residential respite, there is no limit on the number of respite days or nights per year.

However, to keep our respite services accessible to the community we may limit attendance to 3 days per week in our respite cottages and 10 hours per week in the Buddy Program.

If you require further support please speak to our Occupational Therapist who can provide you with some options. 

Day respite is centre-based respite that is available during the day for up to a few days a week.

Overnight respite is cottage-based, where clients can stay for to two or three days to give family members and carers a longer break.

Flexible respite (Buddy Respite Program) involves paid carers and clients ‘creating their own adventure’ during each session. Clients are supported to engage in meaningful activities through one-on-one support. Each session is for three to five hours.

Activities can be in the home or out and about in the community. The activities focus on improving each client’s physical, social and mental well-being and connection to the community. Buddy respite time also gives the client’s carer an important break from their caring role.

Yes it can! Commonwealth funded Home Care Packages provide a subsidy for eligible clients that can be used for care services.

The funding is available to keep clients living in the community, and for the case management of the package. The four levels of home care packages each provide a different subsidy amount. The subsidy contributes to the total cost of service and care delivery.

No. However, in the respite cottages a high percentage of clients who attend are living with cognitive decline or a musculoskeletal condition. 

If you are feeling socially isolated, can no longer drive, need or prefer 1:1 support, and live too far from our respite cottages then the Buddy Program might be a great option for you!  

To find out more about the eligibility criteria our Occupational Therapist can talk to you to make sure our community respite service is the right option to meet your needs.

In a group environment, under an occupational therapist's guidance, our trained staff will find creative, fun and meaningful ways to keep clients engaged in physically, mentally and socially stimulating activities.

To name just a few; a daily resistance and weight-bearing exercise program facilitated by an exercise professional, weekly out-and-about bus trips on the broader community, brain training activities, music therapy and opportunities to participate in daily living skill activities such as cooking and gardening.

Each visit includes nutritious meals cooked onsite and assistance with personal care tasks if required. Transport to and from Myrtle Cottage can be arranged. 

Our high-quality Community Respite uses a health and well-being-focused model of care. It is driven by the idea that we “do with our clients, rather doing for clients”. This gives our clients the best chance of maintaining their independence, self-esteem and sense of purpose.

During each session, clients engage in physically, socially and mentally stimulating activities. These include day-to-day activities, such as cooking and gardening, learning new skills, and social outings. Community respite activities help people to live at home for longer. For more information visit our activities pages.