Respite Care Townsville

You can access respite care in 3 easy steps:

Step 1: Undertake an ACAT assessment -- You can organise an ACAT assessment through My Aged Care.

Step 2: Talk to our team -- Organise a tour of your local facility and confirm the dates of your stay.

Step 3: Enjoy your stay -- Feel safe, well looked after and enjoy your time away!

Get started with respite today. Call our team on 1800 778 767 for guidance on getting your ACAT assessment or organising a tour of a St Vincent’s home.

You can access respite care for a few hours, a few days or even longer. It all depends on your needs, your eligibility and what services are available in your area.

Your respite care can be planned in advance - such as when a carer has a planned trip or appointment to attend - or available in emergencies - such as when a carer has an unplanned hospital stay.

Residential respite (or Nursing Home Respite) is available for up to 63 days of subsidised care in a financial year. This includes both planned and emergency residential respite care.

If you need emergency respite care, contact St Vincent’s Care Services on 1800 778 767.

Situations when emergency respite care may be required:

• Death of a primary carer
• Major illness of a primary carer
• An urgent situation that makes it difficult for your primary carer to look after you

You may need to provide some information when you call so that our team can ensure the right type of care is provided.

During your stay you will be entitled to and receive the same care and support services as our permanent residents. You will receive a room and hotel-type services such as meals, social activities, and laundry, as well as services to meet your personal and care needs.

Based on your ACAT assessment you will be approved for either low or high level care which will determine the level of respite care subsidy your care provider receives.

You can typically access up to 63 days of subsidised respite care each financial year, including both planned and emergency residential respite care.

It is possible to extend respite care by 21 days at a time with further approval from your aged care assessor. This will be based on your care needs, carer stress or the absence of your carer.

You may be eligible for respite care if you are an older person who has a carer to help with your day-to-day care needs.

You will need to undertake a face-to-face assessment to determine your eligibility. The criteria is the same for permanent residential aged care. You can access residential respite care in addition to receiving support from the Commonwealth Home Support Programme or a Home Care Package however you cannot access residential respite care if you are already permanently living in an aged care home.

Learn more about costs of home care

The cost of respite depends on the level of care you require. You may also be asked to contribute to the cost of your respite care and services.

To get a better idea of the specific costs of respite care, call us on 1800 778 767.