Flexible Respite
Time to Recharge, Knowing Your Loved One Is in Safe Hands
Caring for an older loved one is a big responsibility. Even when it’s done with love, it can be emotionally and physically exhausting. Many carers quietly put their own health, appointments and sleep last—until they’re completely worn out. But taking a break doesn’t mean you’re letting someone down. With the right support, you can rest, recharge and still know your loved one is safe at home.
Meet Helen:
Helen cares full-time for her husband, Peter, who is living with dementia. She was up several times each night and on alert all day. Friends suggested a break, but she felt guilty and worried about leaving him with anyone else. Over time, Helen became exhausted, short-tempered and started missing her own medical appointments.
Helen reached out to Summit Health Solutions. We organised in-home day respite—a trained worker visited regularly to provide supervision, conversation and practical assistance for Peter at home. While he enjoyed company and gentle activities, Helen used the time to rest, see her GP and catch up on errands.
With Flexible Respite in place, Helen felt more like herself again—and better able to keep caring in the long term.
Flexible Respite is ideal for informal carers (like spouses, partners, adult children, friends or neighbours) who provide regular support for an older person at home and need time to rest, attend appointments or simply have a break—while the older person remains safe and supported in their own home.
Our Flexible Respite services align with the Aged Care Quality Standards and the Australian Government’s Support at Home program (which is replacing the previous Home Care Packages system), providing safe, respectful and tailored in-home support.
Are you finding it hard to get through the day without feeling completely drained?
Flexible Respite may help if:
- You feel constantly tired, stressed or “on alert”
- You can’t remember the last time you had a proper break
- You feel torn between caring, work, your own health and other family responsibilities
A regular, planned break can help you keep caring for longer—without burning out.
Are your own medical or personal appointments always the first thing to be cancelled?
Flexible Respite can:
- Provide supervision and support at home while you go to your own appointments
- Give you time to manage errands, banking or other tasks you can’t easily do with your loved one
- Offer peace of mind that someone is there if your loved one needs assistance
Does your loved one become anxious or unsafe if left alone, even for short periods?
Our workers can:
- Stay with your loved one at home for agreed periods during the day
- Provide conversation, engagement and gentle activities matched to their interests and abilities
- Offer supervision and practical support, reducing risks when you’re not there
If the person you care for has been approved for the Australian Government’s Support at Home program, Flexible Respite can often be included as part of their individual Support at Home budget. This program helps older Australians stay at home for longer, by funding practical supports and giving carers regular breaks.
Through Support at Home, funding may be available for:
If you’re a care manager looking to refer a client or need more information, click here to visit our Care Manager Referral Page. If you're a family member wanting to explore services for your loved one, you can check out our guide to accessing support.
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Speak with our Care Team
1300 315 315