How can we help?

Aged care respite

Our population is ageing rapidly and many people look after an older family member who has become frail, suffers a chronic health condition or has dementia.

We understand what caring families are going through and can help you to evaluate your situation and link up to the local services and supports that best meet your needs, including respite.

Who can we help?

You can access aged care respite.

  • If you care for somebody aged 65 or older (50 or older for people of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander background) or somebody with dementia who lives in the community.
  • Carers calling from the south and east country region of South Australia will be linked with the Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centre South and East Country, which is a program of Carers SA.  Staff will assess your eligibility and provide information and respite.
  • Carers calling from outside the south and east country region of South Australia will be linked with the Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centre relevant to their location.

What kind of help?

  • We offer support and give you the chance to talk to somebody
  • We arrange respite and may be able to help with the costs
  • We offer expert and local advice
  • We provide information about appropriate respite vacancies in aged care settings
  • We link you to other services that may be able to help
  • We put you in touch with carer support groups where you can meet other people in similar situations
  • We can provide support in times of crisis
  • We can help you plan your future

Caring and working

Many carers find it difficult to balance paid employment with their caring responsibilities.

We can help you to stay in or look for paid employment by arranging flexible short term and emergency respite options for the person you support. We can provide specialised advice if you:

  • Care for someone who is frail aged or has dementia and lives in their own home or with you
  • Are in paid employment or have a definite plan to return to work
  • Find it hard to balance your work and caring responsibilities
  • Carers calling from the south and east country region of South Australia will be linked with the Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centre South and East Country, which is a program of Carers SA.  Staff will assess your eligibility and provide information and respite.
  • Carers calling from outside the south and east country region of South Australia will be linked with the Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centre, relevant to their location.

Call for help

Freecall 1800 052 222 anywhere in Australia (free call from land-line phones, mobile calls at mobile rates). Staff can assess your eligibility and link you with services.

You can also ask your GP, case manager, service provider, support worker, or family member to make a referral with your consent.

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