Respite Care
Respite for carers - Roseanne's experience
Cost of Respite
If you are eligible for respite care, you can access up to 63 days of subsidised respite care in a financial year in an Opal HealthCare Care Community where respite is available. You will only need to pay the Basic Daily Care Fee, which is set by the government at 85% of the single-age pension.
If you don’t qualify for subsidised care, you may be required to pay for respite care. This is called ‘self-funded’ respite and the fees will vary between Care Communities.
To find out what type of respite you are able to access, contact your nearest Opal HealthCare Care Community.
Benefits of Respite
- 24/7 Care to suit all of their needs
- A break or relaxation period from caring responsibilities
- Experience residential aged care
- Socialise with others in care to reduce social isolation
- Peace of mind knowing they are well looked after
- Flexibility in choosing care that suits your schedule
- Access to lifestyle activities
Hear about our resident Jean's experience in Respite Care
Commonly asked questions about Respite care
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Respite care is a short-term stay in a residential aged care home to provide caregivers with a break from caring when they need it. Respite can range anywhere from a single day to a number of weeks in care and can be the result of an emergency situation or a planned period of time.
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Respite is intended to provide short-term care to older Australians when their carer is away or unavailable, or for those who need a little extra care after a hospital stay. However, sometimes people take up respite in our Care Communities because they are not quite ready to commit to long-term care and want the opportunity to experience life in residential aged care before making a more permanent move.
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Day respite is the option to enter residential aged care for a day (without an overnight stay). We offer day respite on a planned or ad-hoc basis in some of our Care Communities and may be possible multiple times a week, month or as needed. Day respite residents enjoy the full range of food, care and activity options as do our permanent residents. To find out if a Care Community you are interested in does Day Respite please fill out our enquiry form and we'll get back to you as soon as possible.
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In order to receive government-subsidised respite care, you need to have a face-to-face assessment with a qualified assessor to determine your care needs. This can be organised via the My Aged Care Regional Assessment Service. You can also apply for an assessment online or by calling 1800 200 422.
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If you are eligible for respite care, you can access up to 63 days of subsidised respite care in a financial year in an Opal HealthCare Care Community where respite is available. You will only need to pay the Basic Daily Care Fee, which is set at 85% of the single age pension.
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If you don’t qualify for subsidised care, you may have to pay for respite care yourself. This is called ‘self-funded’ respite and fees will vary between Care Communities.
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Yes, you can enjoy respite care in any Opal Healthcare Care Community that has an availability and can meet your care needs.
5 Steps into Residential Aged Care
