Respite care

Home Care Respite Options

Caring for a loved one is a meaningful role, but even the most dedicated carers need time to rest and recharge. At Bethanie, we offer two types of respite care through our Home Care services, designed to support both carers and clients with compassionate, flexible options.

Types of Respite Care

1. Centre-Based Respite
   This option provides care outside of the home at a Bethanie centre. Depending on individual care needs, this may include participation in our Social Support Groups , offering clients a chance to enjoy activities and social connection in a safe, supported environment.
2. Flexible Respite (In-Home)
   Flexible respite is provided in your own home, where a trained Bethanie support worker stays with the client for a few hours, typically between 1 to 3 hours. This short-term care allows the carer to take a break, attend appointments, or simply rest, knowing their loved one is in good hands.
3. Alternative options
   We also partner with other trusted approved providers to offer alternative respite options, such as cottage respite services or longer in home respite services. This is dependent on a person’s individual circumstances and funding.

Funding Options

Bethanie offers both Centre-Based Respite and Flexible Respite through two government-funded programs:

• Home Care Package (HCP)

• Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP)

All respite options can be accessed through a Home Care Package , while Centre-Based and Flexible Respite are also available under CHSP .

Getting Started: What to Expect

Access to services depends on your approvals from My Aged Care (MAC) :

• Already Approved for CHSP
  There’s usually little to no wait time—our team can onboard clients within approximately one week.

• Already Approved for HCP
  Once Bethanie receives your referral and funding is confirmed, services typically start within 2–3 weeks.

Approvals through My Aged Care can take time, especially for HCP, which may take 12 months or more. If you're waiting for funding, we encourage you to apply early and reach out to our team for guidance.