Men as Carers
Respite care services
DVA respite care
DVA respite care is provided through the Veterans' Home Care Program. Respite care may be provided in a Commonwealth accredited residential aged care facility, such as a hostel or nursing home, or at home. DVA provides in-home respite care and residential respite care. The aim of these services is to enable the carer to be relieved of caring tasks.
To arrange an assessment for respite care, contact:
Regional Veterans' Home Care Agency on 1300 550 450
For residential care in an aged care facility, you must be assessed by an Aged Care Assessment Team. Your Veterans' Home Care Agency or your doctor can arrange this or you can arrange this yourself.
To arrange an assessment by an Aged Care Assessment Team yourself, contact:
Aged Care Assessment Team on 1800 500 853
Aged care assessments
Aged Care Assessment Teams can help older people and their carers to work out what kind of care will best meet their needs when they are no longer able to manage at home without assistance. Aged Care Assessment Teams (ACAT) are made up of a mix of aged care health professionals who will assess your care needs and provide information on suitable options. Assessments can take place in hospital or in your own home. Should you need residential respite they can also assist you to find a facility to suit your needs.
ACAT's work closely with doctors, health centres and local hospitals. For further information regarding ACAT's it is usually a good idea to see your own doctor first.
For further information regarding Aged Care Assessment Teams, contact:
- Carelink Centre on 1800 052 222
- Care Information Line on 1800 500 853
Where can I go for help?
Carer Support Programs - Carer support programs provide you with information and support to assist with your caring role. The DVA programs include:
- Assistance in the home and respite care through the Veterans' Home Care program
- DVA Carers' register
- Carer newsletters
- Carer support groups
- Community nursing
- Education about caring for someone with dementia and other conditions
- Videos and books eg. Back to Basics - A Practical Guide to
Back Care, Carers Booklet - Assistance for the Veteran Community
- Ex-service day clubs
- Information and advocacy.
For information about Support Programs available through funding from the Department of Health and Ageing, contact:
- Carer Respite Centres on 1800 059 059
- Carer Resource Centres on 1800 242 636
- Carelink on 1800 052 222
On the web
Carers Australia
www.carers.asn.au