Respite for carers

Respite Care Melbourne

BOOK NOW
aged care staff member handing an aged care resident a cup of tea her bedroom

Get respite care for your parents or loved ones at St Vincent's

 Residential Respite | In-Home & Community RespiteEmergency RespiteFrequently Asked Questions

Take a well earned break with St Vincent's respite care

There’s nothing wrong with needing a break from the people we care for. In fact, some time away from each other can be incredibly healthy. 

Regular breaks for carers can ensure they are better able to continue to provide quality care over the long term. For families, respite care can help improve the health and wellbeing of the family unit.

Whether you're looking for respite care at home, in the community, or in an aged care home, St Vincent's has got you covered.

aged care residents with family in the lounge

You've gotten sick and need a chance to recover

Illness is nasty at the best of times, but especially when you’re a carer. From the common cold, to more serious illnesses, the best solution for carer is to be prepared. 

Let’s talk about what happens (and what to do) when you get sick as a carer, and better yet, how to prepare for it.

carer in bed sick with dog curled up beside her

You're going on a holiday and need someone to keep an eye on Mum and Dad

Whether you’re just dropping in groceries or are living with an elderly loved one, in one form another you are a carerAnd as a carer, eventually, you need to have a break. 

We’ve put together a 4 step guide on some of the things you should consider before planning a break for yourself and how you can give your loved one a holiday all their own. 

carer holding a luggage bag and handbag ready for a holiday

You need someone to support Mum and Dad after hospital

When it comes to post-surgery recovery for the elderly, studies show that getting a little bit of extra support (particularly in the form of physical therapy) can improve quality of life. 

Through post-surgery respite, you can give your loved one the best chance to recover in a safe environment.

carer with resident in bed

You've reached your limit as a carer

As a carer, it's easy to put aside how you're feeling. 

The reality is that when a carer reaches their limit it's time to give yourself a well earned break. If you need to talk to someone now about respite care, call us.

carer stressed with her hands to her head

Residential Respite Melbourne

About Residential Respite | Our Locations

Take a break and use our home away from home.

Going on holiday and need to make plans? Have an emergency and need someone to take care of your loved one? 

Whatever your circumstances as a carer, St Vincent’s can help by supporting your loved one in one of our aged care homes.

  • 24/7 care from registered nurses
  • Daily leisure and lifestyle activities
  • A support team made up of our clinical team, facility manager, lifestyle coordinators and more!
  • Spiritual and emotional support (where needed) from our pastoral care team
  • GP visits as required
aged care staff member walking with two residents through aged care garden

What to look forward to during a respite stay

People love respite at St Vincent’s because their experience is tailored to them. There’s so much on offer, that it’s rare that we can’t find something that suits them. 

Some examples of activities during a Residential Respite stay include:

Art classes

Concerts and sing-a-longs

Cooking classes

Hair and pamper care

Movie viewings

Pet visits

Walking groups and gardens

Full activities calendar

Community and activity rooms

Outdoor barbecues

Libraries and private reading rooms

St Vincent's Residential Respite Locations

image1

Kew

Set within the stunning surrounds of Studley Park, St Vincent's Care Services Kew is setting a new benchmark in aged care living with premium amenities and a level of care second to none. 

Complete with five star private dining experiences to share with the family and superb care and support, every resident at Kew is celebrated as an individual by St Vincent’s caring staff. 

> Book now

image2

Hawthorn

At St Vincent’s Care Hawthorn (Mary Mackillop Aged Care), there’s a warm feeling that goes beyond the facade of the building.

Staff call out your name as you pass them in the hallway and from the cleaners, to the carers, to the nurses, everything is done graciously with love and care.

> Book now

image1

Werribee

St Vincent’s Care Werribee is a contemporary, boutique aged care facility, set in the heart of the Wyndham Health Precinct so you can be sure that you have everything you need to live a healthy and happy life.

On top of the amenities, Werribee’s full lifestyle program means there’s rarely a dull moment. Pyjama parties, sing-a-longs, games, bus trips, intergenerational visits and more, form only a small part of the lifestyle residents enjoy while living at Werribee.

 

> Book now


image2

Eltham

Sitting amid beautiful, open acreage is St Vincent’s Care Eltham, a place where residents look upon their rooms, living spaces and gardens as their home.

At Eltham, you can mix in with people for a board game, a quiz or some exercise with the diversity of lifestyle activities on offer meaning that no day’s activities are ever the same.

It’s the staff that makes this place. They work together to create a great atmosphere through helpful care that joyfully celebrates who they are as individual people.

> Book now

Home and Community Respite Care Melbourne

Have our qualified carers come to you

Based out of multiple locations in Melbourne, our carers can come to your house and offer respite care wherever you are.

Whether for an emergency or a planned break, there are endless options for respite care at home.

  • Regular nursing support over a few days
  • A carer taking out your loved one for a coffee for a few hours
  • Someone popping around to do some cleaning once during the week

How you take your break is up to you.

home care worker with elderly man in kitchen

Or get care and support in the community!

While receiving respite services at home might work best for some, for others, getting out into the community regularly, or even just for a day or two, is a must.

At Community Centres, you can receive some of the services you could at home in a more social setting.

Some of the services offered at Community Centres include:

  • Organised group activities like cards, bingo, music & entertainment and group outings
  • Clinical support including Physiotherapy, Podiatry, Occupational Therapy, Nursing services, Speech pathology
  • Counselling
  • Group exercise programs
two aged care residents with a puzzle in a lounge and games room

How to book respite care at St Vincent's

Step 1

See which of our respite services works best for you

Step 2

Call or send us an enquiry form here

Step 3

We'll chat through your options and book in your break

Step 4

Take the time to holiday, recover or have some time for yourself!

Book emergency respite now with St Vincent's

If you're in urgent need of respite care for your parents or loved ones, St Vincent's can help.

Get in touch with us now and we can help you find the services and support you need right now whether that's in your home or one of ours.

st vincent's aged care staff member in uniform smiling

Frequently Asked Respite Questions

Respite Care Questions

The cost of respite depends on the level of care you require. You may also be asked to contribute to the cost of your respite care and services.

Learn more about how much respite care costs

You can access respite care for a few hours, a few days or even longer. It all depends on your needs, your eligibility and what services are available in your area.

Your respite care can be planned in advance - such as when a carer has a planned trip or appointment to attend - or available in emergencies - such as when a carer has an unplanned hospital stay.

Residential respite (or Nursing Home Respite) is available for up to 63 days of subsidised care in a financial year. This includes both planned and emergency residential respite care.

Learn more about how long you can stay in respite

You can access respite care in 3 easy steps:

Step 1: Undertake an ACAT assessment -- You can organise an ACAT assessment through My Aged Care.

Step 2: Talk to our team -- Organise a tour of your local facility and confirm the dates of your stay.

Step 3: Enjoy your stay -- Feel safe, well looked after and enjoy your time away!

Get started with respite today. Call our team on 1800 778 767 for guidance on getting your ACAT assessment or organising a tour of a St Vincent’s home.

If you need emergency respite care, contact St Vincent’s Care Services on 1800 778 767.

Situations when emergency respite care may be required:

  • Death of a primary carer
  • Major illness of a primary carer
  • An urgent situation that makes it difficult for your primary carer to look after you

You may need to provide some information when you call so that our team can ensure the right type of care is provided.

During your stay you will be entitled to and receive the same care and support services as our permanent residents. You will receive a room and hotel-type services such as meals, social activities, and laundry, as well as services to meet your personal and care needs.

Based on your ACAT assessment you will be approved for either low or high level care which will determine the level of respite care subsidy your care provider receives.

You can typically access up to 63 days of subsidised respite care each financial year, including both planned and emergency residential respite care.

It is possible to extend respite care by 21 days at a time with further approval from your aged care assessor. This will be based on your care needs, carer stress or the absence of your carer.

You may be eligible for respite care if you are an older person who has a carer to help with your day-to-day care needs.

You will need to undertake a face-to-face assessment to determine your eligibility. The criteria is the same for permanent residential aged care. You can access residential respite care in addition to receiving support from the Commonwealth Home Support Programme or a Home Care Package however you cannot access residential respite care if you are already permanently living in an aged care home.

Learn more about costs of home care

Get in touch with our team

General enquiries phone number 

1800 778 767


General enquiries contact form