Key points:
Centre Based Care is a great way to meet new people in your community
These centres provide a range of activities, like arts and crafts, cooking, gardening, and so much more
Fees for CBC can differ from centre to centre, so make sure you understand how much a centre will cost to attend
Feeling connected to your community and engaging with others is really important to your mental health and wellbeing.
Centre Based Care is a great option to meet all of these needs while also providing fun, interactive activities.
What is CBC?
Nationwide specialised care centres, called Centre Based Care (CBC), can help you, or a loved one, requiring care through community engagement.
CBC is when a person receives care in a ‘centre setting’ and engages in structured group activities.
CBC services
There are various, individualised CBC services offered to the elderly and frail, as well as their carers, and include:
Social support
Group excursions/outings
Light refreshments, as well as meals
Transport associated with getting to and front the centre, as well as for outings
Respite for carers and overnight care
Day therapy
What can I expect from CBC?
Centre Based Care programs actively encourage positive ageing and wellbeing. This is through activities that stimulate participants emotionally, mentally and physically.
Centres may provide daily exercise programs and access to allied health needs, like diversional therapy or access to hairdressing and physiotherapy.
Arts, craft, cooking and gardening may also be part of the centre’s interactive activities.
Fees
CBC fees and charges may vary from centre-to-centre, with most charging a daily fee to cover everything from transport to group excursions/outings and meals or light refreshments.
Other centres may charge clients a daily fee as well as fees for the day’s activities/outings and meals.
Ensure you enquire about the fees and charges involved before using CBC services.
Centre Based Respite Care (CBRC)
Caring for an elderly or frail loved one can be difficult and often a well-deserved break is needed. CBRC offers individualised social and recreational activities to carers.
Carers can also attend day programs which may include "incursions", outdoor or indoor activities or holiday programs.
To ensure care planning needs are met and the person being cared for is happy and lives a fulfilling life in their later years, it is important the services offered by the centre provide meaningful, creative and intellectually challenging activities.
Would you enjoy meeting new people in CBC centres? Tell us in the comments below.
Related content:
Day Therapy Centres
Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP)
Assessing your needs and eligibility
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