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Our ageing well experts answer some of the most commonly asked questions about respite care in Australia. From general information about the type of services provided and the costs associated with it to our amenities and services, you'll find everything you need to know to make an informed decision about your future.
Feel free to reach out to us with any additional questions you may have.
Respite care is a service that provides short-term care to an individual who needs ongoing support due to a chronic condition or a disability. The objective is to give the primary caregiver a break while ensuring the person they looked after receives appropriate care.
It can be provided at home, in a respite or aged care centre, or out in the community.
It can be for a short time (a day, or a few hours each week for example) or for a longer time, including overnight (a weekend or even months).
The aim of respite care is to give family members or primary caregivers a much-needed break while ensuring the person they care for is well supported. Respite care is best suited for anyone who is responsible for the ongoing care of an individual with a chronic condition or a disability. While aimed primarily at carer wellbeing, it also offers the person cared for an opportunity for socialization and physical activity.
Some reasons why caregivers may need a break:
• going on vacation
• recovering from an injury or illness
• feeling burnt out and needing a break from caregiving
• temporary unavailability.
Respite care can be for a short time (for example, for a few hours each week), or for a longer time, including overnight (for example, a weekend or even months). For aged care respite, the Australian Government can subsidise up to 63 days in a financial year. This can be extended by up to another 21 days if an Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) approves it. NDIS usually funds up to 28 days of short-term accommodation per year. You can also pay privately.
Wesley Mission Queensland offers in-home respite in Brisbane North and South, day respite care centres across Brisbane and the Gold Coast, overnight cottage respite care in Brisbane West, and short stays for babies, children and young people with a life-limiting condition at Hummingbird House, in Chermside.
Yes, you might be able to get emergency respite if you suddenly find you can’t provide care, for example if you are ill or injured. If you need emergency respite care, you can talk with the Australia Government’s Carer Gateway on 1800 422 737 at any time. It’s also a good idea to make an emergency care plan, in case someone else needs to take over for you in an emergency.
You can access these services:
• privately
• under your Home Care Package
• under the Commonwealth Home Support Program
• depending on your personal circumstances, Queensland Community Support Scheme
• people with disabilities might access respite via NDIS funding.
Availability and eligibility criteria vary depending on the specific needs of the carer and the person they care for. For government funded respite, an assessment is conducted by My Aged Care or your NDIS coordinator. At Wesley Mission Queensland (WMQ), you can also purchase any of our services directly. Contact our ageing well team to find out more about respite care options available to you.
Our respite care services in and around Brisbane are tailored to the person’s needs. We embrace the Eden AlternativeTM of philosophy of care, a person-centred approach that truly brings care and caring together. Services at WMQ include:
• light personal care, such as bathing and grooming
• socialization and companionship activities and outings
• meal preparation and cooking
• running errands
• transportation
• nursing and medical care
• dementia care
• medication management
• recreational activities such as craft and hands-on workshops
• gentle exercise
• in-house allied health professionals visits
• and more.
Contact our customer experience team to find out more about respite care options available to you in and around Brisbane.
You can find respite care providers and centres near you by contacting your local government or community health services. You can also call the Australia Government’s Carer Gateway on 1800 422 737 to find out about respite care options and local services available in your area.
WMQ provides respite care for older Australians, for people with disabilities via NDIS funding, and for children and young people with a life-limiting condition and their families. Explore our website for more information or call our friendly team.
Overnight respite care, also known as cottage respite, involves providing temporary care for an individual during night-time hours, usually in the individual's own home or in a respite centre or other facility. The care provided during overnight respite typically includes assistance with activities of daily living, such as bathing and dressing, as well as monitoring the individual's safety and well-being throughout the night. It may also include assisting with medication, preparing meals, and providing companionship. We offer overnight cottage respite at Hadden Place, in Brisbane West. Contact Wesley Mission Queensland to find out more about our respite care options.
When you are a carer, it’s important to regularly take time for yourself to rest and recharge, so you can better care for your loved ones. Respite care gives primary caregivers quality time while ensuring the safety and wellbeing of the person they look after. Some benefits include:
• reducing carer stress and preventing burnout
• giving time for carers to take care of their own health and well-being
• giving individuals receiving care the opportunity to interact with new people and participate in different activities
• giving primary caregivers the opportunity to work, attend school, or handle other responsibilities that may have been neglected due to caregiving
• providing an opportunity for families to assess whether a permanent care arrangement is necessary or appropriate.
Respite care is also very flexible. It can be tailored to meet the individual needs and their family. It can be scheduled for a few hours only, for several days or even weeks. Contact Wesley Mission Queensland to find out more about respite care options available to you.
It’s a type of respite care service that provides individuals with the opportunity to engage in social activities and outings in the community. It's particularly beneficial for individuals with disabilities or special needs who may have limited opportunities for social engagement or activities outside of their regular routine.
It can also be an excellent way for individuals to meet new people, learn new skills, and experience new environments. It can include activities such as going to the cinema and attending sporting events. These activities are often facilitated by trained support staff who are experienced in providing care and support to individuals with disabilities or special needs.
Yes, providing care for someone with dementia can be emotionally and physically demanding. Respite care gives their primary caregiver a much needed break so they can better support their loved ones. For individuals with dementia, respite is an opportunity to engage in social activities and meet new people, interact with others having similar experiences, participate in activities that are tailored to their abilities and interests, experience new environments and routines for cognitive and emotional stimulation, spend time in a safe, supportive environment.
It’s also a valuable way to assess whether a permanent care arrangement is a suitable option. If you’re considering respite care, get in touch with our friendly team to explore your options.
While transition care and respite care share some similarities, they are not the same thing. While respite care aims to give primary caregivers a break, transition care is intended to help the patient. It provides short-term support and assistance to individuals who are leaving the hospital and transitioning back to their home or a new care arrangement.
While some individuals may be eligible for both transition care and respite care, the primary goals and objectives of these services differ. Contact Wesley Mission Queensland to find out more about our transition and respite care options.
Respite care can be government-funded or paid privately using a fee-for-service option. The Australian Government can subsidise up to 63 days of aged care respite in a financial year. This can be extended by up to another 21 days if an Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) approves it. NDIS usually funds up to 28 days of short-term accommodation per year. Individuals may still be asked to contribute to the cost of their care if they can afford to do so.
WMQ provides respite care for older Australians, for people with disabilities via NDIS funding, and for children and young people a with life-limiting condition and their families. Explore our website for more information or call our friendly team.
Yes, respite care services in Queensland can be government-funded. Eligibility is determined by an assessment done by My Aged Care and it depends on the specific needs of the carer and the person they care for. It’s not means-tested. Respite is also available for people with disabilities with a NDIS plan. Talk to your NDIS support coordinator or planner about respite care.
Respite care is provided to caregivers of people with a condition that require ongoing care, including older adults, people of all ages with disabilities, and children with complex medical needs. Eligibility depends on the specific program or service the person is looking for. Government-subsidised respite requires a care assessment done via My Aged Care or NDIS. You can also access it privately. Aged care respite is available to people aged 65 years or older (50 years or older for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people).
WMQ provides respite care for older Australians, for people with disabilities via NDIS funding, and for children and young people with a life-limiting condition and their families. Explore our website for more information or call our friendly team.
If you don’t qualify for government subsidy, you may have to pay for respite care yourself. This is called ‘self-funded’ respite. Contact Wesley Mission Queensland to discuss a personalised plan that suits you and the person you care for. We’ll take you through all your plan and payment options and answer all your questions.
WMQ provides respite care for older Australians, for people with disabilities via NDIS funding, and for children and young people with a life-limiting condition and their families.
To access aged care respite care, you can follow these general steps:
1. First identify your eligibility via My Aged Care website. You’ll need to arrange a comprehensive assessment with an Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT). They will help you determine the type of care you need and the frequency.
2. Then, you can start searching for respite care providers in your area. It is important to schedule an assessment with the provider to determine your specific needs and to develop a care plan. Payment can vary depending on your chosen provider.
At Wesley Mission Queensland, you can access subsidised respite care via your Home Care Package (HCP), with Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) funding and an appropriate referral, the Queensland Community Support Scheme, NDIS or via private funding using our fee-for-service option.
Costs vary depending on whether you are eligible for government funding or paying privately. It also depends on the type of care required, the level of support needed, the program required, your location and the duration of care. You’ll generally be charged an hourly, overnight or daily rate.
At Wesley Mission Queensland, you can access respite care via your Home Care Package (HCP), with Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) funding and an appropriate referral, National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), the Queensland Community Support Scheme or via private funding using our fee for service option.
Please contact our customer experience team on 1800 448 448 or via the contact form on our website. We will assess your eligibility based on your care needs and the type of respite care you require. During the assessment call, we will:
If eligible, you will need to complete an application form. The customer experience team will guide you through the process. Once your application is approved, we will schedule your respite care services. The availability of services and the process may vary based on the area you are located and the specific program or service you are trying to access.
Yes. Eligibility varies depending on the specific needs of the carer and the person they care for, the specific program or service they are trying to access and the area they are located. Generally, our respite care services are provided to caregivers of people with disabilities, chronic illnesses, or other conditions that require ongoing care. Please contact our customer experience team on 1800 448 448 or via our webform.
Yes, at WMQ you can privately fund any of our services directly. Contact us at 1800448448 or via the contact form on our website to find out more about our fee-for-service options. We offer in-home respite in Brisbane North and South, day respite care centres across Brisbane and the Gold Coast, overnight cottage respite care in Brisbane West, and short stays for babies, children and young people with a life-limiting condition at Hummingbird House, in Chermside.
We offer respite at your home (during the day or overnight), in our aged care and respite homes (one day, overnight or short stays) and out in the community. We care for older Australians, people of all ages with a disability via NDIS funding, and for children and young people with life-limiting condition and their families. Care can be provided for a couple of hours, days, or weeks.
Centre-based respite is provided in one of our centres in Brisbane and the Gold Coast. Respite for children is provided at our Hummingbird House, in Chermside. Respite for people with disabilities is provided at our Specialist Disability Accommodation locations via NDIS funding.
Contact our customer experience team to explore your respite care choices as well as funding and payment options.
The cost varies depending on the type of care needed and the specific program or service being used. Funding your respite care can be done via your Home Care Package (HCP), Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) funding, the Queensland Community Support Scheme, National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) or private funding via our fee-for-service option. Please contact our customer experience team for more information.
Wesley Mission Queensland is a non-profit organization committed to creating a compassionate and inclusive society. We offer a diverse range of services including retirement villages, in-home aged care, residential aged care, disability support, specialty disability accommodation, mental health services, housing and homelessness support, family and child support, employment and training programs, community and youth initiatives, and indigenous support.
Wesley Mission Queensland aims to provide holistic support to individuals and communities, helping them overcome challenges and improve their overall well-being. Explore our website to learn more.
