Caregivers do a lot to ensure that those in their care are in optimum health and in great mental shape. However, caregivers themselves need good care to function optimally, hence, the presence of respite care. Respite care allows them to take a break, deal with stress and take care of their entire well-being.
Through the help of the NDIS respite plan, Australia offers carers of the young and disabled the opportunity to enjoy a few days of rest by placing their patients in respite homes. Are you a caregiver hoping to take a few days or weeks off to relax and charge up while your patient gets pleasant care? Kindly read this article to learn how to get familiar with the process.
What is Respite Care?
Respite care is a voluntary, organised and temporary break offered to caregivers of the elderly and the disabled, allowing them to hand over patient care to other qualified hands. With respite care, tired caregivers get the chance to replenish their energy to ensure that they stay invigorated to work.
Funded by the government, NDIS respite care has varying time frames ranging from a few hours to a few weeks, with a maximum of 63 days, depending on the caregiver’s choice. It may also be extended by 21 days if an Aged Care Assessment Team approves the decision.
Friends, families or government agencies may offer respite care – all you have to do is choose what you prefer. It can be planned, for example, if your caregiver intends to take a vacation or attend an event. Sometimes, emergencies result in respite care for patients; an example is when a caregiver falls sick and can’t perform their duty.
Types of Respite Care
Respite care comes in different formats – informal and formal. Informal respite care is usually offered by family, friends and relatives, while formal care comes from institutions that supply such services. Traditional respite care comes in assorted varieties – it may be in-home, day centre-based, residential or community.
- In-home Respite Care
It’s common for people who don’t require institutionalisation but rather in-home care and monitoring. It involves the visitation of the respite care provider to the home of the person who needs the service.
In-home respite care may occur during the day, overnight or over the weekend, depending on the nature of care provided and the patient’s preference. Most in-home respite care offers Brisbane speech therapy, wellness programmes, amongst others.
- Centre-based Day Respite Care
This type of respite occurs in a day centre or institution where those in need of care receive the services they require while socialising with peers in a safe environment. Day respite often holds from 10 am to 3 pm, and it may involve the transportation of the person in care to and from the centre. Both in-home and centre-based respites are flexible.
- Residential Respite Care
Residential respite care is best for those who require continuous carer support, such as those with disease management plans. It involves respite accommodation for a short period in a care centre for people with disabilities.
For instance, if the older patient has hearing difficulty, a Brisbane speech therapist will be provided for them. The person in need of care can interact with others with similar cases while receiving excellent care.
Residential respite care may be planned or as a result of an emergency. Either way, it is a favourable respite care type.
- Community Respite Care
Community respite offers personal and group-themed activities to give a socially-driven caring experience. Individuals who partake in community respite can maintain a form of independent living by interacting and building relationships with other people under care. It can be provided by day or overnight by an approved private or NDIS respite facility.
Conclusion
Respite care is vital for both the caregiver and the cared. For the caregiver, it ensures maximum productivity while making for comfortability and easy adjustment to those in care. If you are looking to seek respite care for yourself or someone you know, you can take advantage of the NDIS respite and contact a respite home near you. Good luck.
