In-home respite includes services offered to carers and people with dementia within their home. Support for the person with dementia can be provided with or without the carer being present. In-home respite can provide direct support for the person with dementia including:
- In-home Day Respite
- In-home Overnight Respite
- Social Support including companionship and assistance to pursue an activity of interest (e.g. gardening, woodwork, board games)
- Domestic assistance
- Personal care
- Home modifications
- Other flexible respite options.
In-home respite is available during the day or overnight, occasionally or on a regular basis depending on the needs of the carer and individual with dementia. Individuals with dementia who are reluctant to attend day centres and/or residential centres may feel more comfortable accepting in-home respite services. Download the In-Home Respite Checklist to help you choose the right In-Home Respite service provider to meet your needs, and visit MyAgedCare to find service providers in the your area.
Social support services can include:
- visits to your home
- helping you with shopping and other related activities
- helping you to access support groups and recreational activities.
For more information visit My Aged Care.
Watch the video below of in-home respite experiences of people living with dementia and their carers/supporters.
Domestic assistance
- General housework (cleaning, washing clothes, etc)
- Gardening services
- Home modifications (see below)
- Meal preparation and/or deliveries.
Personal care / assistance with daily living skills
- Showering
- Dressing
- Medication administration
- Food preparation and feeding assistance.
Home Modifications
Modifying your home may improve the safety and independence of the person with dementia in the home and therefore the success of in-home respite. Services to assist with this are available via My Aged Care.
Improving the design of your home using Dementia enabling design features may also assist. See Dementia Enabling Environments for ideas on how to adapt your home.
Other Flexible Respite Options
- Host Family Day Respite
- Host Family Overnight Respite
- Community Access – Individual respite
- Mobile Respite
Planned Respite
My Aged Care: 1800 200 422
Carer Information & Support
Carer Gateway: 1800 422 737
National Dementia Helpline
1800 100 500