Respite Care (Step by Step Guide)
Considering residential care—whether short-term or as a step toward permanent care—can feel overwhelming. It’s common to experience anxiety, uncertainty, and confusion about where to begin.
To help ease this transition, our dedicated Care Team has outlined the key steps to guide you and your loved ones through the process with clarity and support.
01
Determine your eligibility
If you’re found to be eligible for government funded care—be it in your own home, or an aged care home—you can start using those care services right away, or at some future date. The decision is yours.
For more information, please speak with your doctor, visit the My Aged Care website or call My Aged Care at 1800 200 422.
To determine if you or your loved one is eligible for Respite, an assessment must be completed by the Single Assessment System (SAS) through My Aged Care, the Australian Government body responsible for aged care services.
This is normally organised through your Doctor (GP), social worker or health professional. A member of the SAS team will visit you at home, and talk with you about your current lifestyle and care needs.
02
Find the right home for you
Deciding which care facility is right for you or a loved one depends on your personal preferences and individual requirements.
We invite you to visit us at St Catherine’s for a tour, to meet residents and speak with members of our administrative and care teams. This will provide the perfect opportunity to discuss the care, support and lifestyle you are seeking and to see if St Catherine’s is the right fit for your respite care. We encourage you to ask any questions, talk to us about your interests, and importantly to share your feelings about permanent care.
We also recommend you look at other care providers in Wangaratta and the surrounding region to ensure you have looked at all options, and considered the various types of care on offer.
03
Understand the costs
The cost of respite care is set and established by the Department of Health and known as a Basic Daily Fee.
The basic daily fee covers your day-to-day living costs such as meals, cleaning, laundry, heating, cooling, nursing as well as social activities.
04
What do I bring with me?
All you need to bring with you for your respite stay are your clothes and toiletries.
Consider your respite stay like a holiday, everything else is provided for you. We recommend bringing a couple of framed photos of family, friends or pets so your stay feels homely.
Do you have any questions about care for you or a loved one?
Please contact us for a friendly chat or to book a personal tour.
