Aim

The Centre provides an after hours contact point for carers who have emergency respite needs outside normal Centre office hours. The aim is to provide an immediate respite response for carers in situations that, under Centre Guidelines, are considered an emergency or a crisis.

Target Group

• Carers who become ill, and/or hospitalised.
• Carers who are experiencing a crisis in their immediate family that requires them to be present.
• Carers who are so stressed from the demands of caring that they need an immediate break.
• Carers who are not covered by existing emergency care arrangements in the area.

Objectives

• To respond and assist carers with practical assistance with respite in times of emergency or crisis.
• To reduce carer anxiety in emergency or crisis situations.

How We Work

• Our Freecall 1800 052 222 telephone is transferred to our After Hours Service at 4.30 pm Monday to Friday and retrieved at 8.30 am the next working day. This service includes Saturday, Sunday and Public Holidays.
• Our Centre provides the After Hours Service with contact details of all services that can provide workers to conduct respite out of normal office hours.

The Process

When a person contacts the after hours service they will:

• Listen to the carer and determine the nature of the situation.
• Following an assessment of the situation, determine whether an emergency respite response is necessary.
• Contact an appropriate service provider to arrange a service that meets the needs of the care recipient while the carer is unable to provide the support.
• Discuss options and/or alternatives if the Centre is unable to provide respite.
• Forward details to our Centre to enable a coordinator to contact the carer to reassess the situation the following working day, to see if further assistance is required.

Who Can Refer To Us

• Carers, Care Recipients and Self Carers.
• With the consent of the carer we will accept referrals from family and friends of carers, Community Service Providers, Health Care Workers,