Aim

This program aims to increase access to residential respite for persons with dementia, who have high care needs due to their behaviour and who, as a result might not otherwise have access to residential respite. This program provides one on one support to these persons whilst in residential respite.

Target Group/Eligibility

People with dementia who have high support needs and/or challenging behaviour, who would not otherwise have access to residential respite care and have Aged Care Assessment (ACCR) or the ability to have one.

Objectives

• For carers to be able to access planned and emergency residential respite.
• For a reduction in carer stress as a result of accessing respite on a regular basis.
• For the development of a cooperative working relationship with aged care respite facilities within the Far North Coast that accommodate persons with dementia.
• For an improved access to residential respite for persons with dementia by increasing staffing levels within the facility to assist with the management of the person with dementia.

How We Work

• We liaise with the carer and the facility to determine respite dates.
• We ensure any client applying for respite has an Aged Care Client Record (ACCR)
• We work closely with the Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT’s) and the Aged Care Facilities to provide respite in appropriate settings for persons with dementia who have high support needs due to their challenging behaviour.
• We ensure that a current Framework Agreement is in place with the facility providing the respite care.
• We liaise with the facility providing respite regarding hours, staffing and funding to provide the respite.
• We ensure that funding/one on one staffing hours provided does not exceed the amount of $2,000.00 per client.

The Process

This program relies on working closely with the Aged Care Facilities, and ACATs whose responsibilities are;

Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT)

• To conduct all assessments on persons who may be eligible for respite in an aged care facility and would be eligible for the Program.
• To liaise with our Centre if they determine that the facility providing the respite care would require extra staffing hours in order to fulfil the care needs of that person whilst in respite.
• To reassess a client in situations where the behaviour of or needs of that client are determined by the facility to be above those of the initial assessment and there is a danger of the respite being terminated prior to the completion of the agreed respite period.

Aged Care Facility

• To provide the venue for the respite care of the person with dementia.
• To liaise with the ACAT in the event that they are unable to provide the level of care required for a client already in respite if the level of care required or the behaviour of that client precludes the respite period continuing.
• To determine when the hours of one on one care for the client in respite would be most beneficial for that client through liaison with our Centre.
• To liaise with our Centre if any of the agreed service hours need to be changed before such changes are made.
• To liaise with our Centre for the provision of additional staff to provide one on one support
• To ensure that the one on one staff hours provided does not exceed the agreed number of hours or funding.

Who Can Refer To Us

Carers, ACAT’s, Aged Care Facilities