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More than 1.2 million people received aged care services during 2017-18. During this time, 77% of these people received support in their home or community-based settings. Many people received care from loved ones or paid carers.
Supporting a loved one can take a physical and mental toll on carers, paid or unpaid. It's essential for those receiving funds for aged care support access the 63 days of subsidised respite care entitled to them.
At MACG, we provide long term respite care at our homes across 8 locations in Victoria. If you'd like to find out more about this service, contact our friendly care team.
What is long term respite care?
Long term respite care offers a chance for you and your carer to take a break for a few weeks. It enables you and your carer to have the time and space to take care of yourselves, without guilt or anxiety.
You can receive respite care services in your home or in the community, but long term respite care services mainly involve staying in a qualified aged care home.
What services do I receive?
While you receive long term respite care services in an aged care home, you'll receive the same care support services as permanent residents. Services can include, but are not limited to:
- Access to 24-hour qualified care teams, including Registered Nurses
- Assistance with receiving allied health services
- Dietitian-approved meals cooked on-site
- Laundry facilities
You'll also have access to lifestyle programs which will enable you to connect with other residents and keep your mind and body active. Lifestyle programs typically include activities such as:
- Meditation and relaxation
- Movement to music
- Walking groups
- Pet and animal visits
- Community giving and volunteering
- Movie nights
- Cooking and gardening
- Sensory programs
When is it best to access long term respite care?
You are allocated 63 days of subsidised respite care per financial year. The best time to use your allocated days, however, is completely up to you. Many people access respite care when:
- Their primary carer needs a break
- They want to trial an aged care home before making a commitment
- They're recovering from an illness or injury which requires higher care needs than normal
Benefits of long term respite care
People can work themselves too hard to provide care for loved ones, which often results in burn-out. That's why long term respite care is so important.
Long term respite care can allow carers the time and space to take much-needed holidays, or to tend to their own healthcare needs. This gives you and your carer both a break, to restore and recharge.
Receiving long term respite care in an aged care home can feel like a staycation. You get a change of scenery, and the chance to connect with a diverse group of people. You'll receive hotel-style services, like fully cooked meals and laundry services.
In fact, some people enjoy long term respite care so much, they make the decision to transition into the home permanently.
Why choose MACG for long term respite care?
At MACG, our care teams are highly experienced and passionate about providing care to our residents. We have purposefully built homes based on a strong ethos of family values, and community.
Each of our aged care homes across Victoria has different benefits, but in all homes, you'll receive the same high quality care and access to rich lifestyle programs. When you receive long term respite care at MACG, you'll be able to:
- Be secure knowing you have the assistance required to be safe and care for
- Connect with like-minded individuals and meet new people
- Enjoy friendly environments created to make you feel at home
What our residents have to say
- "I became, in my own mind, part of this family. And they've looked after me with all my needs and made me very happy." - Geoffrey
- "The staff maintain your independence here. They let you do what you can do, and if you can't do it, they'll say 'right, that's fine'. But if you can do it, they will let you do it. The staff here are wonderful." - Heather
