A Complete Guide To Respite Care: What It Is & When To Consider It

Note: As of February 2024, we are not currently accepting respite bookings due to occupancy being at capacity. For any further information pleaes give us a call.

If you are wondering what respite care is and how it works, this blog will provide you with a comprehensive guide to everything you need to know — from who is eligible for respite care to the benefits of respite care for the elderly and more.

What is respite care and how does it work?

Respite care is usually a short-term solution for when primary caregivers need to have a break from looking after a senior family member or loved one. Whether you need a break for an hour or two to get work done, are going on holiday and don’t want to leave your loved one at home alone or you want to test the waters of assisted living, short-term respite care involves handing over your caregiver responsibilities to a professional in the meantime.

While some respite care professionals will come to your home to look after your loved one, in most cases respite care is delivered in a dedicated space to provide the appropriate level of support and care required. This is what is known as residential respite care.

What is residential respite care?

If a senior family member has a recent injury or illness and needs extra care or you are simply looking to take a break from your caregiver responsibilities, residential respite care is a great option for you. Residential respite care is a short-term care solution that involves your loved one staying at a respite stay centre for a specific amount of time. As a dedicated aged care services alternative, Aspire Aged Care in Greenway Views®, allow caregivers to feel confident that their loved one is in good hands while they are away.

At LDK your residential respite care stay includes a range of benefits including:

• Full 24-hour support and care based on your loved one’s requirements,
• Accommodation in a private apartment with a modern kitchen, en-suite bathroom and spacious living area,
• Daily activities and access to a wide range of amenities that are available to the permanent residents.

What are the benefits of respite care for the elderly?

It’s understandable that many primary caregivers feel guilty about taking a break or leaving their loved one in the care of somebody else but the truth is that there are actually benefits of respite care for seniors. Here are 3 of the top benefits of short-term respite care:

1. A change of scenery

While looking after a senior family member or friend is a tiring job, being in the presence of the same caregiver every day can also be exhausting for the person in question. Residential respite care provides a much-needed change of scenery from normal day-to-day life at home — allowing your loved one to get a bit of a break themselves.

2. The opportunity to socialise and do activities

Another benefit of respite care for the elderly is the chance to enjoy social interaction and physical activities. This not only helps with issues such as social isolation but also allows your loved one the opportunity to get involved in activities that they love and may not have done in a while.

3. Access to trained care professionals and facilities

Whether your loved one is recovering from an illness or injury or not, short-term respite care provides them access to trained care professionals and facilities. Depending on the chosen respite provider, this could include a custom care plan and medication management.

Who is eligible for respite care?

In most cases respite care is open to those over the age of 65 years old, who have a carer, however private respite care eligibility will depend on each individual organisation. For example, the premium private respite offering at Greenway Views® in Tuggeranong Canberra aims to be as inclusive as possible — providing premium respite care for anyone who needs it.

Now you may also be wondering “how long can someone stay in respite care?” and “how often can you get respite care? And once again, the answer depends on the provider you’ve chosen to provide the respite care. At Greenway Views®, you can receive respite care for your loved one with stays starting from a minimum of two weeks to a maximum of six weeks. The team at LDK will work with you to ensure your loved one’s respite care includes all of the support they require.

Find out more about our premium private respite offering today

Whether you’re looking to take a short break from your caregiving responsibilities or are thinking about trialling assisted aged care living for your loved one, LDK is the place for you. Our respite care is privately funded, meaning we charge a fixed rate for accommodation, care and meals — so you won’t be surprised by any hidden costs further down the line.