Overnight Respite

The Waratah Respite Centre has six overnight respite bedrooms. These are available for short term respite for carers. All carers are entitled to 63 days respite per financial year.

The Department of Health and Aged Care provides a considerable subsidy for overnight respite in order to keep client costs to a minimum. The client contribution is set by the department and is currently $258.55 per week (rate at September 2009).

Access: All people accessing overnight respite must have a current ACCR Approval from the Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT).  To contact the ACAT in Coffs Harbour to arrange an assessment phone 6656 7646.

Admission and discharge: Minimum respite is one week. Admission is Wednesdays. Resident and Carer are interviewed by the staff to gather background information on the resident's mobility, health and living arrangements. We complete a detailed assessment form, confidential to staff only, to enable excellence in respite care. Discharge is Wednesdays at 10 am.

What is in your room? A single hospital bed with a special comfortable mattress overlay, a built in wardrobe, an easy chair, a bedside table with a lockable drawer, a touch lamp, an overhead fan, a television and a reverse cycle air conditioner. You have access to your own bathroom equipped with disabled showers and toilet facilities.

What to bring with you? Bring comfortable casual clothes which are marked clearly so that items do not get lost. All clothes are laundered at the Centre. We discourage clients from bringing jewellery or other valuable items, but do bring items of comfort such as your favourite pillow and photographs.

Medications: For the safety of our residents, it is Waratah's policy that all medications are dispensed to residents via a Webster Pack. Please ask your chemist to prepare your medications into these packs and bring them with you on admission. We will request a medical profile and medication chart from your G.P.

Visiting: We encourage families, friends and carers to visit if they wish. We also welcome any enquiries from carers during the respite period. Carers can telephone and send emails which will be passed on to clients. Carers are also able to discuss concerns with our experienced staff.

Meals; Residents are provided with morning tea, a nutritious two course lunch freshly prepared in our kitchen, afternoon tea and a two-course dinner. If you have any special dietary requirements, let us know. We request you tell staff what you like and do not like to eat so that we can cater for your needs. Morning tea is at 10.00am, lunch is served between 12.00 and 12.30pm, afternoon tea is from 3.00pm and dinner is between 5.30 and 6.00pm.

Air conditioning and vide/dvd player in each room

Comfortable bed, chair, surroundings

modern shower and toilet ensuite in each room