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Carer Respite

Our carer support team provide in-home and group based activities and outings for those needing assistance.

Our carer respite services program is held at our Access Health and Community Richmond site as well as in client homes.

We care about carers

An individual plan of care is tailored to you or your loved ones needs. We provide flexible methods of care to ensure goals are met.

Our centre based activities

  • Our out-and-about program
  • Exercise groups
  • Relaxation and meditation
  • Indoor bowls
  • Painting and drawing
  • Card and jewellery making
  • Cooking
  • Flower arranging
  • Gardening.

Our in-home activities

  • Reading the paper and discussing the news
  • Listening to music
  • Going out for a walk, coffee, lunch or the cinema
  • Shopping
  • Support to attend medical appointments
  • Completing household chores together.

What’s On

Mondays – General exercise (Greek speaking), art/drawing.

Tuesdays – General exercise (Greek speaking), seated yoga, Ukele with Betty / Rhythms with Rachael.

Wednesdays – Gentle exercise, Travel Around the World.

Thursdays – Tai Chi, seated yoga, Annie’s kitchen, lunch outings (to be confirmed).

Fridays – Qi Gong, Tai Chi, gentle yoga, carpet bowls, Quiz Time.

How to make an appointment for respite services

If you care for a family member or friend over the age of 65, or under 65 with a disability, and you live in the City of Yarra, Darebin, Boroondara or Stonnington, you are eligible to use our services.

The person you care for must be registered for My Aged Care. Ask us for help if they are not already registered.

Please contact our intake team on 03 9006 6580 to make an appointment or referral.

Our Carer Respite service is available at the following location:

Fees and Payments

We offer services for all members of the community. Some of our services prioritise access to people and families with greater health, economic and social needs. We set the costs of our services based on income ranges. These income ranges are based on the Centrelink Income Test for pensioners. See our current income tables.

Respite fees for pensioners is $16.50 per day in the centre, and the same amount for 3 hours of in-home respite. An additional $18 applies for outings.

Non-pensioner fees are income tested and range from $66 to $110 per day in the centre, and between $22 and $66 per hour for in-home clients.

For those on a Home Care Package we will discuss fees with you on your request.

Social Support Classes, Richmond – $8 per class ($40 for 5 weeks).

Our team

Our experienced team assists carers, (partners, children and friends) who are supporting a loved one, to remain living at home through regular flexible respite.

Respite is provided to the person requiring support, whilst their carer works and/or attends to their own needs.

We also assist people to access other services available onsite at Richmond. These include physiotherapy, podiatry, occupational therapy, dietetics and medical.

FAQs

We can provide transport to and from our centre if you live within five kilometres of the centre in Richmond. If you live further than five kilometres we will discuss other options with you.

If you need us to, we can support you to attend medical appointments, go shopping, and have lunch or day trips to places of interest.

Respite can be provided during these hours upon request and can either be weekly, or on an ad hoc basis. Please get in touch to find out more.

Vietnamese, Malay, Indonesian, Mandarin, Cantonese, Hokkien, Taiwanese, Lingala, Dutch, Turkish, Hindi, Urdu (not in-home), French and English.

A carer can be a family member, neighbour or friend (not a paid carer). They can live with you, or visit and assist you with shopping, cooking, attending appointments and other activities. Their assistance means that you can remain living at home.

Our program is designed to give carers a break from their caring role.

Carer support assists people living in the Cities of Darebin, Yarra, Boroondara and Stonnington.

Call to book an appointment at AccessHC

Make a booking

It's quick and easy to book online or you can call our friendly intake team on
03 9810 3000. We are here to help.