Taking regular breaks from your caring duties is important to avoid burnout and maintain your own health and wellbeing. There are services that can help.
If you are reading this and thinking, “I just don't have time to organise anything,” there are people that can help you. Perhaps you don’t know what services are available in your area or how to go about organising a break. You may feel it’s not worth the disruption or that you don't have the time and energy to bother. Your regional respite and carer support service (carergateway.gov.au) can help you to find out about respite options in your area and give you advice and support. They may also be able to help you to organise bookings and find out if financial assistance is available to help cover any cost.
Where to start
Contact your local carers association to find out what is available in your area. Call Carer Gateway 1800 422 737 or visit carergateway.gov.au
It is important for carers to be aware of 24-hour support services, including Lifeline (phone 13 11 14) and Beyond Blue (phone 1300 224 636). If you or another person is in an emergency, or at immediate risk of harming yourself/themself or others, please phone 000.
Types of respite
- In-home: a support worker looks after the person you care for in your home
- Facility or residential-based: the person you care for stays for a short period in a
care facility like an aged care home or supported accommodation - Community-based: the person you care for joins a day program at an adult day
centre, neighbourhood house or community health centre - Alternative family care: your family and friends may be able to help with your caring responsibilities while you take a break
- Recreation-based: you and the person you care for can join organised recreation, social or leisure activities either together or separately
- Emergency respite: if you need to deal with sudden illness, accidents, or emergencies
- Equipment to support or ease your role
Common concerns for carers
It is common for carers to feel reluctant about using respite. You may worry about leaving the person you care for, or feel that nobody can look after them as well as you do.
Nobody can replace your expertise or the one-to-one care you provide at home, but remember that respite providers employ trained and skilled staff and operate under strict regulations and standards. You can help by giving the respite provider as much information as you can about your loved one's routines, preferences and requirements.
Concerns are normal, but they need to be balanced against the risk that you will burn out. Regular breaks can give you time to re-energise, enjoy different activities and concentrate on other relationships. They can help you to be a better carer.
Remember that respite can also be a break for the person you are supporting. It can give them the opportunity to meet new people and to experience a new environment and change of routine.
You can help by giving the respite provider as much information as you can about your loved one's routines, preferences and requirements.
Concerns are normal, but they need to be balanced against the risk that you will burn out. Regular breaks can give you time to re-energise, enjoy different activities and concentrate on other relationships. They can help you to be a better carer.
Remember that respite can also be a break for the person you are supporting. It can give them the opportunity to meet new people and to experience a new environment and change of routine.
Common concerns for the person you care for
The person you care for may be anxious or reluctant to be looked after by strangers. This may be compounded if English is not their first language, if they find it difficult to communicate their needs, or if they don’t cope well with change. Start with small breaks and build up to longer ones. It may help them to adjust if you share the care with respite workers the first few times. For example, stay with them the first time they use a day program or be at home for the first few visits by an in-home respite worker.
Respite FAQs
- How much does respite cost?
- How do I find respite care that can accommodate complex medical issues?
- How can I access grants or subsidies for respite?
For more information on caring for someone with incontinence download our fact sheet.