Northern Beaches Balancing Work & Care

The Balancing Work and Care project is funded by the Australian Department of Health & Ageing and managed through the Northern Sydney Commonwealth Carer Respite Centre under the National Respite for Carers Program. The project is aimed at enabling carers of frail older people to combine their caring, study and employment tasks.  The flexible respite can include social support, transport to other social support services, escort to medical appointments, personal care, monitoring and meal preparation.

WHAT IS BALANCING WORK AND CARE?

A flexible package of ongoing respite tailored to suit the needs of the Carer and the person they are caring for.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE?

Carers who are at work or are actively seeking employment or are undertaking training with a view to obtaining employment and who are caring for a person aged 65 years or older.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

The Coordinator will take a referral and ascertain eligibility for the service.

• The Coodinator will undertake a respite assessment with the carer and discuss what type of assistance would best meet the needs of the carer and the person for whom they care.
• The Coordinator will provide a Service Agreement, including the rights and responsibilities for the client, complaints procedures and information regarding privacy and confidentiality policies.
• The Coordinator will organise the respite required by the carer and will then monitor and adjust the respite according to the changing needs of the care and the person for whom they care.
• Services provided may include:
  • Purchasing extra hours in a day centre
  • Providing a worker to accompany the Care Recipient to a dementia day centre
  • Providing transport for a range of situations such as to and from respite
  • Providing a drop in meal service
  • Recreational/educational respite
  • Assisting CALD Care Recipients to access culturally appropriate activities
  • In home respite (including outings)
  • Respite where there is a short term increase in the working hours of the carer.

HOW MUCH WILL IT COST?

Carers will be encouraged to contribute to the cost of the respite care.  Service will not be denied because of inability to contribute to the cost of service.