Innovative daybreak respite service in Canberra

Supporting carers to continue their paid work role, is the focus of an innovative Daybreak Comprehensive Long Day Respite for Working Carers project, located in a low care residential facility in Red Hill, ACT.

Funded under the Commonwealth’s Employed Carers Innovative Project initiative, the project has so far assisted 19 carers by providing day respite support for their loved ones.  The age of clients has ranged from 57 to 97, with six to nine clients accessing the service at any one time.

Program coordinator, Iris Malone, said the service was available to workers who would otherwise find it difficult to continue working, without being able to access day support for the person for whom they are caring.

Clients are able to attend either full-time or part-time, with the centre opening from 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday.

Activities offered to clients include outings, daily exercises, and a variety of games with a physical, cognitive, creative and cultural focus.

Daybreak provides assistance with things like hairdressing, appointments to the doctor, physiotherapist etc and will either meet the carer or take the client to the appointment (if appropriate).

All this makes it easier for the carer and enables them to spend more stress-free time at work.

Interaction and participation with residents of the low care facility has been a great part of the success of the program.  It has helped eliminate the element of fear about going into residential care.

Clients visit the low care facility on a daily basis, making friends with the residents and participating in their social gatherings and recreational activities.

It demystifies residential care and makes the transition to care much smoother and stress free for the client and their family if it becomes necessary .