Residential Respite Booking Program

Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centre Mid North Coast operates a booking service for people requiring respite in an aged care facility.

What We Do

Our Service can arrange and book residential respite for Carers, care recipients and self carers in aged care nursing homes and hostels, in the Coffs Harbour, Bellingen, Nambucca, Kempsey, Hastings, Greater Taree, Great Lakes and Gloucester LGA’s

We endeavour to book respite for the requested period of time in a facility of the carer/care recipient or self Carers choice.  Taking into account the following:

• availability of beds.
• current aged care assessment.
• carer/care recipient or self carer needs.

We also provide information on where and when residential respite is available

About Residential Respite

• This is short-term care in a Commonwealth Approved Aged Care Facility (Nursing Homes & Hostels).
• Is usually on a planned basis, to give Carers and care recipients regular breaks.
• You are allowed 63 days (9 weeks) per financial year of residential respite.
• The cost of residential respite is based on approximately 85% of the Aged Pension Rate.
• Most facilities suggest regular blocks of respite preferably a minimum of 2 weeks
• There is often a heavy demand for respite, so if considering residential respite, book in advance if possible.

Eligibility for Residential Respite

This form of respite is available to Carers of a person who is frail aged or has dementia, who require a break from their caring role, or persons who live on their own (self Carers) who would benefit from a short stay in an aged care facility.

To be eligible for residential respite the person entering respite must have a current assessment by the Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT)