The service provides relief to caregivers in stressful situations and reduces the risk of older people entering permanent residential care.

Respite Care is a formal scheme providing a higher level of relief care than that offered by Carer Support, i.e. you get more days. It is funded at a higher level also.

Clients are very dependent older people living at home with family/whānau and may receive help from both the Respite Care and Carer Support schemes.

 

The Respite Care programme is best described as an enhanced support service, offered to families who find that Carer Support (issued by NASC) does not provide sufficient breaks in any one year to enable them to continue to care. High-needs rest home and hospital-level clients being cared for at home place considerable strain on the caring relationship. The Respite Care programme offers more regular, planned breaks to the carers of these people.  

 

What to expect?

The programme provides a break every 8 weeks for the carers of rest home level of care individuals and a break every 6 weeks for the carers of hospital level of care individuals. The programme is not means tested and is available to all who meet the criteria. Regular planned breaks sustain the carer for a little longer, before the individual may need to enter permanent residential care.

 

Most of the referrals to the programme are made by the Needs Assessment and Service Co-ordination service, who may already know the family and be providing other services. The programme does accept referrals from GPs and individuals.

 

Once the family is accepted onto the Respite Care programme they can remain on the programme for as long as it continues to meet their needs.

 

The programme is not the same as Carer Support which is often referred to as "respite". The service differs from Carer Support in that the Respite Care programme staff arrange entry to the facility and institute a system of monitoring which involves the client's GP, the family and the Respite programme staff, in ensuring the best outcomes for the client and carer.