Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centre
Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centres (CRCC) co-ordinate access to respite services in your local community. Our staff can give you advice about respite services and find the service closest to you. They can also help you obtain ongoing respite to enable you to continue in your caring role.
Respite is a service offered to people who care for someone who has a disability, are elderly or have a life limiting illness. It gives you the chance to have a break from your caring role, safe in the knowledge that your loved one is being looked after by a trained carer.
The type of break you need is completely up to you. If you need to go to the shops someone can come to your home to be with the person for whom you care, or if you would like a bit of time to yourself we can arrange out of home activities.
Types of Respite Available
- In-home Respite
A trained carer can come to your home to look after your loved one – giving you a well deserved break.
- Residential Respite
In some areas we can offer a place away from your home for the person you care for to stay. These are usually residential facilities or hostels in your local area.
- Emergency Respite
We can arrange respite for you at very short notice to accommodate emergency situations. You can contact us 24 hours a day on our FreecallTM number 1800 059 059.
- Short Term Help
We can arrange for someone to come into your home and help with tasks such as cleaning, meals and shopping.
Cost of the Service
As respite is a government funded program we are required to request a contribution toward the service. This contribution is generally minimal and is dependant on your ability to contribute. Respite will not be refused if you are unable to contribute.
Eligibility
You are never too young or old to be eligible for help. If you are the main carer providing voluntary care for someone then you are probably eligible for respite. There are many different programs to suit almost any situation all you have to do is ask.
As respite is a government funded program, we are required to request a contribution towards the service. This contribution is generally minimal and is dependent on your ability to contribute. Respite will not be refused if you are unable to contribute.
Further Information
Our CRCC representatives are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week on Freecall number 1800 059 059 or visit the
Commonwealth Carelink Centre website.