Respite care for older people

Respite care is available to either:

• give the person caring for you a break, or
• give you a break if you live alone and cannot manage at home for a short time.

You may benefit from a break from your usual environment. It may recharge your batteries and enable you to live in your own home for longer. Respite care can also have positive benefits for your carer.

There are different types and levels of respite care available, depending on what you need.

There are 2 types of respite care:

1. Planned respite care — if you meet the criteria, you will be allocated up to 28 days of respite care per year. 
2. Immediate respite care — may be available at short notice for people who do not have pre-allocated days. You can talk to your healthcare provider about whether this is an option for you.

There are different levels of respite care available depending on what you need. These include:

• rest home
• hospital-level care — if you need a higher level of care because of medical needs
• dementia care
• specialist dementia hospital care — if you need a higher level of care because of dementia needs.

You must have a combination of needs to be eligible for respite care. These may include things such as needing:

• help from your carer or partner to manage at night
• help to move around your home
• to be reminded to do day-to-day tasks
• significant help with going to the toilet.

Speak to your GP or other healthcare provider about arranging an assessment to receive funded respite care.

The person doing the assessment will: 

• answer any questions you may have
• regularly review your situation and your need for respite care
• explain how to use your planned respite care days and what level of care you will need
• send you and your healthcare provider a Home Service Plan letter that tells you how much respite care you can use in a year.

Allocated days

If you are eligible and have been assessed as needing respite care, you will be allocated a certain number of days. This will be up to a maximum of 28 days per year.

You can divide your allocated respite days into short breaks, or you can use it all in one stay. You must use your allocated days within a year of receiving them. Days cannot be carried over to the next year.

If you would like a longer break, you will need to pay for the extra days yourself. 

Choice of facility

You will be able to choose an aged-care facility that has a contract with Health NZ to provide respite care. Facilities are happy for you to visit and have a look around to see if you think it will be suitable for you.

You will not have to pay the aged-care facility for your respite care, but you will need to pay for any additional 'premium room services' you choose. 

Your responsibilities

You will need to take all your medications, continence products, mobility aids and medical equipment with you. If you need to see your doctor or other healthcare provider, you will need to pay for this consultation as usual.

Once your respite has been approved, you, your carer or partner, practice nurse or community support worker can make a booking. Bookings can be made either online or by phoning an approved residential care facility and checking to see if they have suitable care available at the time you would like it.

Try to book respite care well in advance of when you want to take it. Make sure you have your respite allocation information ready when booking.

List of residential care facilities — Eldernet