A program for carers of the frail aged and people with a dementing illness.
The Flexible Respite Program provides eligible carers with access to an agreed number of respite hours, up to 52 hours every 3 months. The respite hours can be used in the way that best suits your requirements - to undertake daily activities such as banking and shopping, to spend time with family and friends, to take a short break away, to pursue personal interests or participate in community activities.
The Flexible Respite Program provides carers with ongoing respite of up to 52 hours every three months. The respite offers carers regular breaks from their important role and gives them an opportunity to find a balance between caring for others and caring for themselves. Carers may choose to use the time to undertake activities such as shopping, visiting friends and family, pursuing personal interests or participating in community activities.
The aim of the Individual Respite Program is to deliver respite tailored to carers' changing needs and in doing so, offers a variety of ways in which the respite hours can be used. These include the following:
Personal care (showering and grooming)
Companionship and recreational support (for the person receiving care)
Overnight residential care at an out-of-home facility
Monitoring support
Practical assistance with daily tasks such as shopping and meal preparation
Assisting with the cost of other respite options including short breaks away
The respite hours can be used weekly, or accrued and used periodically, for example monthly or quarterly.
For further information or to make a referral regarding Individual Respite please contact Eileen Hennessy, Respite Support Worker on Tel: 9076 6269 or Fax: 9076 6139.
The Flexible Respite Program also offers small group respite for carers of people with a dementia-related condition. The person you care for can enjoy the social benefit of participating in a group activity designed to complement their abilities and interests, with individualised support from staff. The respite enables you, the carer to have a regular, planned break and an opportunity to attend to other priorities including your own interests and well being.
The following groups offer day-time outings to local cafes and locations of interest.
"Give It A Go" is a weekday program for active younger people (generally 50 plus) experiencing the early stages of dementia. "Give It A Go" is provided in partnership with Central Bayside Community Health Service.
Carers are eligible to apply for any of the Flexible Respite services if they live in the local government areas of:
Day Respite in an Aged Care Facility - the Flexible Respite Program works with a number of Aged Care Facilities within the Southern Metropolitan Region to facilitate day-time or evening respite on a regular or occasional basis for carers of people with high care needs. It is anticipated that the number of facilities participating in the program will increase over the next twelve months.
Indigenous Carers - the Flexible Respite Program works in partnership with the Inner South Community Health Service to build links with the Indigenous community and to provide an annual retreat for Indigenous carers and carers of Indigenous people.
For further information or to make a referral regarding any of the small group respite options please contact Anthea Coillet, Flexible Respite Coordinator on Tel: 9076 6141 or Fax: 9076 6139.
What areas does the Flexible Respite Program cover?
Carers are eligible to apply for services provided by the Flexible Respite Program if they live in the local government areas of:
Cardinia
Casey
Glen Eira
Kingston
Port Phillip
Stonnington
If the particular service is not available in your area, we can discuss alternative respite options with you.
A nominal fee is charged for the respite provided and is based on the income of the person you care for and the number of respite hours used. The fee can be negotiated if you experience difficulty contributing to the cost.
We welcome your suggestions or feedback about our services. If you have a suggestion or complaint please contact the Flexible Respite Coordinator on Ph: 9076 6141.
An advocacy service can assist you to understand what your rights are, in relation to receiving services and supports to help you in your caring role. These services can assist you to approach agencies and organisations, ensuring that you receive the type and level of service to which you have a right. If you would like more information regarding regarding advocacy and advocacy services please contact the Flexible Respite Program staff on 9076 6141 or 9076 6269.
Telephone Interpreter Service: 131 450
Alzheimers Association
City of Bayside
City of Cardinia
City of Casey
City of Glen Eira
City of Greater Dandenong
City of Kingston
City of Port Phillip
City of Stonnington
Centrelink
Inner South Community Health Service
Central Bayside Community Health Service
Fronditha Care
Flexible Respite Program
The Flexible Respite Program provides eligible carers with access to an agreed number of respite hours, up to 52 hours every 3 months. The respite hours can be used in the way that best suits your requirements - to undertake daily activities such as banking and shopping, to spend time with family and friends, to take a short break away, to pursue personal interests or participate in community activities.
1. Individual Respite (In and Out of Home)
The Flexible Respite Program provides carers with ongoing respite of up to 52 hours every three months. The respite offers carers regular breaks from their important role and gives them an opportunity to find a balance between caring for others and caring for themselves. Carers may choose to use the time to undertake activities such as shopping, visiting friends and family, pursuing personal interests or participating in community activities.
The aim of the Individual Respite Program is to deliver respite tailored to carers' changing needs and in doing so, offers a variety of ways in which the respite hours can be used. These include the following:
- In home respite (during business hours or after hours, on weekends, and for overnight and short term breaks)
The respite hours can be used weekly, or accrued and used periodically, for example monthly or quarterly.
For further information or to make a referral regarding Individual Respite please contact Eileen Hennessy, Respite Support Worker on Tel: 9076 6269 or Fax: 9076 6139.
2. Small Group Respite (Out-Of-Home)
The Flexible Respite Program also offers small group respite for carers of people with a dementia-related condition. The person you care for can enjoy the social benefit of participating in a group activity designed to complement their abilities and interests, with individualised support from staff. The respite enables you, the carer to have a regular, planned break and an opportunity to attend to other priorities including your own interests and well being.
The following groups offer day-time outings to local cafes and locations of interest.
- The Weekenders is for carers seeking respite on a Saturday or Sunday. The Saturday group is for frail older people and is generally based at the centre. The day includes a social midday meal and gentle activities, including an outing where possible. The Sunday program is a more active day with out-of-centre activities suited to people who are physically active. The Weekenders does not offer overnight respite.
3. Other Respite Options (Out-of-Home)
Carers are eligible to apply for any of the Flexible Respite services if they live in the local government areas of:
- A Host-Home program - To Steki Tis Haras - in partnership with Fronditha Care, the Flexible Respite Program provides day-time respite for carers of older Greek people experiencing the early stages of dementia. The group meets in the home of a Greek speaking worker, and provides a day of culturally relevant leisure and recreational activities.
For further information or to make a referral regarding any of the small group respite options please contact Anthea Coillet, Flexible Respite Coordinator on Tel: 9076 6141 or Fax: 9076 6139.
What areas does the Flexible Respite Program cover?
Carers are eligible to apply for services provided by the Flexible Respite Program if they live in the local government areas of:
- Bayside
If the particular service is not available in your area, we can discuss alternative respite options with you.
Fees
A nominal fee is charged for the respite provided and is based on the income of the person you care for and the number of respite hours used. The fee can be negotiated if you experience difficulty contributing to the cost.
Feedback
We welcome your suggestions or feedback about our services. If you have a suggestion or complaint please contact the Flexible Respite Coordinator on Ph: 9076 6141.
Advocacy
An advocacy service can assist you to understand what your rights are, in relation to receiving services and supports to help you in your caring role. These services can assist you to approach agencies and organisations, ensuring that you receive the type and level of service to which you have a right. If you would like more information regarding regarding advocacy and advocacy services please contact the Flexible Respite Program staff on 9076 6141 or 9076 6269.
Telephone Interpreter Service: 131 450
Links
Alzheimers Association
City of Bayside
City of Cardinia
City of Casey
City of Glen Eira
City of Greater Dandenong
City of Kingston
City of Port Phillip
City of Stonnington
Centrelink
Inner South Community Health Service
Central Bayside Community Health Service
Fronditha Care
