What is Respite?

Respite is a break from the caring role. Respite should be a positive, enjoyable experience for the person you care for as well as a rest for yourself.

Respite helps you rest and recover.  Respite helps you find the balance between caring for others, and caring for yourself.  Respite helps you care for longer and is essential to your well being.

Everyone's situation is different and so are their needs for respite.  At the CRCC we will endeavour to assist you to access respite that suits you and the person for whom you care.

You may use respite when you want a break, when you have to be hospitalised or when you would like help to meet the competing needs of your family.

Respite can be used occasionally, or on a regular basis.  It is available to assist when the unexpected happens or in an emergency.  Respite tends to work best when it is planned in advance and used regularly.  Respite is available in many forms.

Respite in your home

It can be someone coming to your home - a paid worker, friend, relative or neighbour - to help the person you care for to shower or to keep them company while you shop, visit a friend, or simply sleep.

Respite out of the home

Respite might involve someone taking the person you care for on a social outing, or supporting them to participate in a community activity.  Respite can involve the person spending a few hours at a day program, a few nights in a Respite House, a couple of weeks in an Aged Care Home, or going away on a camp or retreat with others.

Planned Respite

A respite support plan aims to have you take regular breaks to ensure that you do not get to the stage of feeling so worn out or overwhelmed you wonder how you manage.  Planned respite can mean having a worker from the Council in to help one afternoon a week, arrange for the person you care for to attend a regular session at a day centre or going away with other children on a camp at the end of each school term.  It could be a regular booking for residential respite for two weeks every few months or booking regular overnight stays at a community respite house.  It could be simply having a family member or friend take over care regularly for a few hours every weekend.  These breaks are a way to help you keep something 'in the tank'.

For more information about respite and support in your role as a carer, contact CareLine on 1800 052 222.

For more information about Carer Support Programs, click here.