What is Respite?


 Respite gives carers of people with disabilities the opportunity to take a break from their support role. This can be as a planned experience or in an emergency. Respite stays may be for a few hours, a few days or extended periods. Respite supports and maintains the primary care giving relationship while providing a positive experience for the person with a disability.
Respite can mean many different things to each of us. It could mean:
• Having a break from your usual caring role and responsibilities
 • Pursuing interests and hobbies that you enjoy
 • Spending time with friends, a family member or partner
 • Looking after your own health
 • Catching up on bills, shopping or errands
 • Going on a holiday or having a night out
 • Relaxing, reading a book or having a sleep.

What types of respite care are available?


 There are many different types of respite care available.

Respite Through Recreation


 There are a wide range of recreation and leisure options for people with a disability. These provide new and fun experiences for the person you care for, while also enabling you to have some time for yourself.

In Home Respite


 This is respite “in the home.” A trained carer will come and look after the person you care for in your own home. This could be for a few hours or even overnight or longer. Some councils, nursing services, specialist providers and private attendant care agencies, provide in home respite.

Community Based Respite


 This respite often includes a combination of centre and community based activities. Day programs or activities are held at adult day centres, neighbourhood houses and community health centres.

School Holiday Programs (Vacation Care)


 During school holiday periods, additional programs and camps provide respite care. Councils, schools, recreation organisations, aquatic centres, libraries and community centres run these programs.

Alternative Family Care


 These are programs that provide respite care in someone else’s home. A host carer or family, who are often volunteers, provides respite care and friendship for your child or the person you care for.

Flexible Respite


 This can be a confusing term, but it basically means that the respite is “flexible” to meet your individual needs. It could mean respite in the home, or in the community, recreation activities or holidays.

Brokerage


 Refers to funds held by some agencies that help you purchase services that you may need.

Facility Based Respite


 The person that you are caring for can stay overnight or longer. This would be at a purpose built facility such as a unit, respite house or other forms of supported accommodation.

Emergency Respite


 Unplanned or emergency care when you are unable to provide immediate care.

Respite Information and Development in the East (RIDE)


 This website has been developed as part of RIDE’s commitment to assist carers, case managers and service providers to access up to date information regarding respite opportunities available for people with disabilities in the Eastern Metropolitan Region (EMR).
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