I’m helping arrange residential respite care for my parent. How do we manage changes, payments, and visits? What if there are concerns or emergencies?

Respite Care
Written By Craig Bridge

It’s great that you’re taking the time to ensure your parent’s residential respite care goes smoothly. Here’s a detailed guide to help you manage their care effectively, including adjustments, payments, visits, and handling concerns.

Your Aged Care Home’s Responsibilities

Your parent’s respite care provider must:

  1. Respect Their Rights:
    • Their rights are protected by the Charter of Aged Care Rights, ensuring they are treated with dignity, respect, and fairness.

  2. Provide Quality Services:

Managing Residential Respite Care

1. Finding and Booking Respite Care

  • Approval Validity: Respite care approval doesn’t expire unless your parent’s care needs change, in which case a reassessment is required.

  • Booking Fee: Some homes may require a booking fee. This fee:
    • Cannot exceed one week’s daily fees or 25% of the total care cost (whichever is less).

    • Example: If booking six weeks of care, the booking fee is one week’s worth of daily fees.

2. Canceling a Booking

  • More than 7 Days’ Notice: The booking fee is fully refunded.

  • Less than 7 Days’ Notice: The home may retain all or part of the booking fee unless there are exceptional circumstances (e.g., hospitalization).

3. Respite Care Extensions

  • You can apply to extend your parent’s respite stay by up to 21 days at a time.

  • Requests for extensions are made through the ACAT and may be granted based on:
    • Carer stress or absence

    • Your parent’s needs, abilities, and preferences

    • Whether permanent residential care might be more suitable

4. Emergency Respite Care

  • In crises where no primary carer is available, your parent can access respite care before approval.

  • The provider will arrange for an ACAT approval within 5 business days.

Payments and Financial Support

  • Daily Fee: This covers basic services.

  • Financial Hardship Assistance: If paying the daily fee is difficult, you can apply for financial hardship assistance via Services Australia:

Visits and Leave

Visits from Family and Friends

  • Family and friends are welcome to visit. Check the home’s visitor policy for any specific guidelines.

Leaving for the Day

  • Your parent can go out during the day but cannot stay overnight away from the aged care home, as this is considered leaving the service.

No Leave for Hospital Stays

  • If your parent needs to go to the hospital during respite, there are no formal leave arrangements. Their respite service will end upon discharge.

Checking Respite Entitlement Balance

  • To find out how many respite days are left, contact Services Australia on 1800 195 206 and select Option 1.

Handling Concerns and Complaints

If there are any issues with care:

  1. Talk to the Provider First:
    • They are responsible for addressing your concerns.

  2. Additional Help:
    • If unresolved, you can contact the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission.

    • Advocacy Services: The Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN) provides free support to help resolve concerns.

Final Thoughts

Navigating residential respite care can feel overwhelming, but being informed helps ensure your parent receives the best support. Stay connected with the care provider, know your rights, and don’t hesitate to reach out for advocacy or support services if needed.

Craig Bridge
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