Northern Beaches Dementia Respite Service
This project is funded by the Australian Department of Health and Ageing under the National Respite for Carers Program. This project is designed to provide respite for carers of people with dementia whose behaviour may make them unsuitable to access usual respite services. As well as having some clients in its own right, the Dementia Respite Service works closely with the Community Options Project to meet the needs of carers of people receiving case management services.
The Dementia Respite Service provides respite, or “time-out”, for carers of people with dementia who are unable to access other respite activities. The respite is provided in a flexible way in order to meet the needs of the carer and the person for whom they care.
Carers of people with dementia, where the level of dementia means that carers are unable to access other respite services.
· The coordinator will take a referral and ascertain eligibility for the service.
· The coordinator will visit the carer at home to undertake a respite assessment and discuss what type of assistance would best meet the needs of the carer and the person for whom they care.
· Respite can be provided either in home or out of home according to the needs of the carer and the person for whom they care. The respite may include providing a trained worker to assist the person with dementia to continue accessing community-based social activities.
· The coordinator will provide a Service Agreement, including rights and responsibilities for the carer and client, complaints procedures and information regarding privacy and confidentiality policies.
· The coordinator will arrange the respite required by the carer and will then monitor and adjust the respite according to the changing needs of the carer and the person for whom they care.
· The coordinator will act as a link to other respite options as needed, including emergency, residential and short term respite.
A contribution towards the cost of the direct service will be negotiated on an individual basis, dependent on the ability to pay. No-one will be excluded due to inability to pay.
Anyone can make a referral to the service.
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