Do You Know the Difference Between Respite and Residential Care?

Many families are unsure about choosing the best support for their loved ones. 

Two commonly confused forms of care are respite care and residential care. 

They offer different levels of support, depending on a person's needs. Understanding these differences can help you make the best decision for your family. 

Respite care provides short-term relief for carers. Residential care provides full-time support in a care home.

In this article, we'll explain the difference between respite and residential care. We'll also talk about how they work and what to consider when choosing between them.

Respite Care

Respite care is short-term relief for caregivers. It lets them take a break, rest, go to appointments, or manage other responsibilities.

During this time, the person needing care is looked after by someone else, either at home or in a care facility.

In Australia, respite care is part of the government's My Aged Care support system. It's available in several forms, including:

1. In-home respite

A care worker visits the person's home to help with daily tasks, personal care, or companionship.

2. Day respite

The person goes to a day centre or community program for part of the day, often participating in group activities.

3. Residential respite

The person stays at an aged care home for a few days or weeks. They receive full-time care, like a regular resident, but only for a short period.

You can pay for respite care services yourself. You can also apply for government support.

For the latter, the person needing care must be approved by an Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT). 

This free assessment is arranged through My Aged Care. It helps determine the type of care needed.

Respite care is helpful in many situations, including:

• To give carers a break from daily routines
• During emergencies or illness, when the carer is unavailable
• After hospital stays or medical procedures
• To try out a care home before deciding on permanent care

Residential Care

Residential care is a long-term care option for people who cannot safely live on their own. It involves moving into a facility where trained staff help with daily tasks.

This type of care is often needed by older people or those with ongoing health issues.

It provides a place to live with access to 24/7 support. This care is long-term, and it includes the following services:

• Meals and housekeeping
• Help with bathing, dressing, and toileting
• Medication management
• 24/7 supervision and support
• Social activities
• Health services

People in residential care usually stay for the long term. But some options allow for short stays, like respite care.

To enter residential care, there are a few steps:

1. Assessment

You need to undergo an assessment through My Aged Care. A trained assessor from an Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) visits you to determine what support you need. If they approve you for residential care, you can start looking for a suitable facility.

2. Finding a home

The next step is to choose a care home based on location, cost, and services. You can visit homes or talk to them directly to ask questions.

3. Costs and fees 

The government pays part of the care costs. You may still need to pay some fees, depending on your income and assets.

How Respite Care Fits Into Residential Care

Many residential care facilities offer respite care services. These include aged care homes and nursing homes.

This means a person can stay temporarily in a residential care home. They receive the same level of support as full-time residents, but only for a limited time.

This is ideal for:

• Carer breaks (planned or unplanned)
• Recovery after hospitalisation
• Trying out the facility before committing to permanent care

For example, a family caring for an elderly loved one might book a one-week stay at a residential care facility. They could use this time to take a break or attend to personal matters.

The person staying temporarily would live there just like a regular resident. They will get meals, help with daily activities, medication, and supervision.

Respite care services can be funded privately. Another option would be to apply for a government subsidy.

This can include the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) and Home Care Packages (HCP).

But, even if it's subsidised, there may still be some out-of-pocket costs.

You may use your Home Care Package to pay for respite care, but it comes with certain limitations. 

A few hours are okay, but overnight residential respite care is usually not covered.

A person is eligible for up to 63 days of subsidised residential respite care per financial year. In some cases, this can be extended by another 21 days (a total of 84 days) with approval.

The days can be used all at once or split up across the year (e.g., three separate two-week stays).

If you pay for it yourself, there's no limit on how often you can use respite care. 

But for subsidised respite care, you can use it up to the annual maximum, spread across different stays.

Key Differences Between Respite and Residential Care

These two types of care both support people who need help with daily living. But what is the difference between residential care and respite care?

What you need to know is that they're designed for different situations. They differ in:

1. Duration
2. Purpose
3. Location
4. Access and funding

Knowing how they differ can help families choose the right care at the right time.

1. Duration

Respite care is designed to be short-term. 

It can last from just a few hours to a few weeks. Some people use it for a weekend, while others may book a few weeks at a time to give their carer a proper rest.

Residential care is long-term or permanent. 

People move into a residential care home when they can no longer live safely at home. This is often due to health or mobility issues.

If you choose in-home respite, you don't have a limit on how much respite care you can use. But for residential respite, the limit is 63 days.

2. Purpose

Respite care is designed to give carers a short break from their daily duties. 

Caring for someone full-time can be rewarding but also tiring. Respite care helps prevent burnout.

It does this by allowing carers time to rest, recharge, or focus on their own health and well-being. 

It also ensures that the person receiving care continues to get the help they need while their regular carer is away.

It may also be used:

• During emergencies
• After hospital stays
• As a trial before deciding on full-time care

Residential care is for those who need daily, ongoing support. 

It includes services like bathing, dressing, eating, and taking medications. 

It's ideal for people who can't live safely on their own due to health issues, memory loss, or physical decline.

Residential care provides:

• A safe and stable home environment
• 24-hour support from trained care staff
• Access to health services, meals, and social activities

3. Location

Respite care can take place in three places:

• At home, with a visiting care worker
• In a community centre for day programs
• Or at a residential care home for overnight or short stays

It's flexible and can be provided in different places, depending on what suits the person needing care and their carer.

Residential care always takes place in an aged care facility. It's also called a nursing home or residential aged care home.

People move into these homes when they can no longer live on their own or need round-the-clock support. 

The facility becomes their new home. Staff are available at all times to provide care, meals, and medical help.

4. Access and Funding

Both types of care can be accessed through My Aged Care. But they can also be privately funded.

Respite care may be funded through:

1. The Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP)
2. A Home Care Package (for in-home respite)
3. Residential respite subsidies (up to 63 subsidised days per year, with a possible 21-day extension)

Residential care involves more detailed assessments. Depending on your income and assets, you may have to pay:

• A basic daily fee
• A means-tested care fee
• Accommodation costs

Government subsidies cover a large part of the cost for eligible people.

Picking the Right Type of Care: Respite or Residential?

Respite care offers short-term support to give carers a break or help someone recover. Residential care provides full-time help in a safe, supportive home. 

Each option serves a different purpose. The choice depends on the individual's needs, health, and living situation.

Need help navigating care options?

At Haisey Home Care, we know how overwhelming aged care choices can feel. 

Our team is here to guide you through every step, from planning short-term respite to exploring long-term support.

Whether you need a break as a carer or want to explore in-home care that fits your needs, we're ready to help. 

Contact us today for friendly, expert advice tailored to your family.

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