What is Residential Respite Care?
Residential Respite Care is a temporary arrangement where you stay in a Residential Care home, usually for a minimum of 4 weeks. This type of care and support is generally used either post-surgery, to relieve carer stress or as a trial for residential care. It can also be accessed in some emergency situations.
All Southern Cross Care Residential Care homes offer Residential Respite. If you access Residential Respite our staff and volunteers will support you to live better for life for the duration of your stay.
Call us today on 1800 852 772 for more information, or to begin the assessment process for Residential Respite Care.
While you are in Residential Respite Care you have access to all the same services as a permanent resident, including:
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24/7 nursing and care
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Accommodation
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Chef-cooked meals
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Allied health services
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Lifestyle activities
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Social activities and outings
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Chapel and access to a Pastoral Carer for spiritual support
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Health and Wellness Centre with Exercise Physiologist support
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GP visits
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Laundry
Eligibility
To be eligible for Government-subsidised Residential Respite Care you need to be assessed by the Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT). When applying for respite care at any of our facilities, you will need to provide us with a copy of the assessment or the Respite Referral Code.
You can then apply to be placed on the Southern Cross Care Residential Respite Care waiting list.
Once your application is received by us, each application is assessed for suitability and care needs for any upcoming vacancies and are subject to availability.
To arrange an ACAT assessment, you can visit the My Aged Care Website or phone 1800 200 422.
Cost
Residential Respite Care fees are different to what you would pay for a permanent place in an aged care home. The basic daily fee for a respite resident is set by the Australian Government at 85% of the single Age Pension, which is updated in March and September each year.
Southern Cross Care does not charge a booking fee for Residential Respite Care, however other fees and charges may apply depending on your financial situation and the services you use.
For more information, click on the link below to visit the Department of Health website.
How do I apply?
Call us on 1800 852 772 to speak to the Care Options Team, who can help you with information about Residential Respite Care in any of our homes. The team can walk you through the waiting list and assessment process.
When you apply for the waiting list you can select which Residential Care homes you would prefer to stay in, as well as tell us the details of your care needs.
You will need to include a copy of your ACAT assessment with the application, so we know you have been approved for this type of care.
Remember, our Care Options Team is here to help.
You will be asked to pay a Basic Daily Fee equivalent to 85% of the full single Age Pension toward the cost of your Respite Care. There may be additional costs depending on your financial situation and services you access.
The services provided in Residential Respite Care include, but are not limited to: 24/7 nursing and care, accommodation, all meals, laundry, lifestyle activities, social activities, on site gym sessions with a qualified professional and Allied Health Services (on assessment).
If you have approval from the Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) for Residential Respite Care, the length of respite will be assessed on an individual basis. The minimum respite stay is generally 4 weeks.
Pets are permitted to visit at the Residential Care home's discretion and evidence of your pet’s vaccination records must be provided.
You can go on outings from the Residential Care home during the day, but respite residents are required to be on site overnight.