THE HAVEN PROJECT assists carers of a person with a mental health concern,
to take a break or respite to maintain their caring role for as long as possible.

WHY TAKE A BREAK?
Carers are usually family members or friends who provide support to children or adults who have a mental illness. Carers may be parents, brothers, sisters, friends or relatives of any age. Carers may care for a few hours a week or all day every day. Some carers are eligible for government benefits, while others are employed or have a private income.

Caring can be physically and emotionally exhausting. Regular breaks from caring can help to relieve the stress and exhaustion you may feel from time to time. Breaks can also provide benefits for the person being cared for. They can give people new experiences and something to look forward to and memories to look back on.

These breaks are often called respite, and the services that help you arrange breaks are usually called respite care services. The Haven project helps mental health carers plan for respite services in the Wingecarribee and Wollondilly, Camden and Campbelltown areas, call The Haven Project at 02 4659 0000.

THERE ARE LOTS OF WAYS TO TAKE A BREAK

 
The sort of break you take will depend on what suits you, and the person you care for, as well as the services that are available in your area.

Breaks may be taken in your house or away from it. They may be for a few hours, a day, overnight or longer. It might mean you can go to an exercise class, attend a wedding, catch up with friends or family or go on holidays. It might be a regular weekly event or something that only happens once a year.

"My son attends a special camp every school holiday.
This gives me a break and some time to spend with my other kids"

 "A respite worker comes to the house every second Friday and cares for Mum
while I go out and catch up on all the things I need to do."

 "The local hostel has my wife stay for one weekend every second month.
I use the time to go fishing with my mates."

 "The first week in December is always a special time just for me.
Dad stays in the nursing home and I use the time for whatever I want.
 Sometimes I go away and sometimes I just stay home and do nothing."

"I would like to have someone come and look after him just for a few days,
so I could go somewhere by myself and have a good time in body and mind."

HOW CAN I ORGANISE A BREAK?

 
Some carers get regular breaks from caring when family members or friends help out informally. Sometimes however, extra support is needed such as when a longer break or specialised care is required. Other carers get little or no help from family and friends.

Respite care is provided by many services and organisations. In emergencies, you can call Commonwealth Respite and Carelink at 1800 052 222*. If you need some planning and co-ordination to take some time for yourself, call The Haven Project at 02 4659 0000. The Haven project is a consortium of five organizations with one purpose to help mental health carers take a break. They can discuss with you in person a break that fits your needs as well as the care recipients.

WHAT TYPE OF RESPITE IS AVAILABLE?

There are many different types of respite. Some of the most common are:

• In home respite care
• Day care programs
• Residential respite care in an aged care facility
• Residential respite care for younger people with a mental illness or disability
• Weekend or holiday programs and opportunities. These can be for the carer, the person with the mental illness, or the whole family.
• Recreational activities in the community
• Camps for carers of all ages.

These types of respite may suit you, and the person you care for or you may also have your own ideas about the type of break you would like or the type of assistance that would reduce your stress. Some services also cater for particular language or cultural needs.

 "Once I took respite it was like seventh heaven, all the pressures were off!"

WHAT IF I HAVE SPECIAL NEEDS BECAUSE OF MY LANGUAGE OR CULTURE?

There are some services available that cater for people's special needs such as diet or types of activities. Other services such as Care Assist, phone 02 4868 2755, may have workers who speak languages other than English. Or you may call Commonwealth Carer Resource Centre on 1800 052 222* and ask them if appropriate services are available.

You can also call TIS (Translating and Interpreting Services at 13 14 50# if you need assistance with a language other than English.

 "Mary and I had been together 43 years and had never spent more than a night apart.
But the social worker said I needed a break from the long hours.
 Now I can have that break and come back to her refreshed and looking forward
to seeing her and being together again."

WHAT STOPS CARERS FROM TAKING A BREAK?

• Putting their own well-being last.
• Not knowing what is available, or how to get help organizing a break
• A lack of respite services available in their area.
• Wanting a break but the person being cared for doesn’t want outside help
• Feeling that it is all too much trouble
• The costs of some types of respite
• The demands of other family responsibilities.
• Concerns about the quality of some types of care.

HOW OFTEN CAN I TAKE A BREAK?

Some people who use respite care services do it regularly, perhaps once or twice a week. They may also have a regular pattern of holiday respite set up to enable them to take a weeks or fortnights respite. Normally holiday periods and school holiday respite houses tend to book up, so advance planning is essential.

It is important not to wait until you are stressed before you arrange for a break. Regular breaks are an important part of any stress management program, and can help the person you care for get used to the idea of respite. Call The Haven Project at 02 4659 0000 for free help on planning your respite needs, and to coordinate respite services.

WHAT ABOUT THE PERSON I CARE FOR?

Many people being cared for look forward to a break as much as their carers do. A new face, new conversations, new activities and a change of scenery are often very welcome.

Sometimes the person you care for may be reluctant to agree or cooperate with your need for a break. They may feel angry or confused about your need for a break and may be anxious about what it means for them. With time, appropriate arrangements can usually be made.

If the person you care for is reluctant, the Commonwealth Carer Respite team can help.

TAKING A BREAK FOR THE FIRST TIME

You may feel concerned that you will no longer be in charge of the person you are caring for, or concerned that they will not be well cared for. You may also be concerned about the cost of the respite services. If you are finding it difficult to take a break talk to The Haven Project at 02 4659 0000 or Commonwealth Respite and Carelink at 1800 052 222* to answer your questions about costs.

Some tips from other carers that may help:

 "Start with small breaks and work up to longer ones"
  "Making respite real for both of you by taking a complete break, don't be tempted to visit"
"Remember that it is important for your health and well being to take breaks. It is worth a try."

IN AN EMERGENCY WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO THE PERSON I CARE FOR?

It is important that you plan regular breaks but sometimes emergencies can happen, which means you need emergency respite care. An emergency may mean the death of a relative or a sudden illness or accident that means you must be admitted to hospital. Emergency respite care can be arranged in most areas if needed. The nearest Commonwealth Carer Respite Centre can be contacted 24 x 7 on 1800 052 222* for emergency respite situations.

 
You can use an emergency care plan to make arrangements for the person you care for . This may help you stop worrying about what would happen if you had an accident or suddenly became ill. These plans are given to you in the welcome package from The Haven Project, or by calling Commonwealth Respite and Carelink at 1800 052 222* and  just ask for the emergency care plan.

HOW MUCH WILL IT COST?

Some services are free, and for others there may be a small fee or charge according to your income. Residential respite usually charges a small fee, Private services may be expensive.

WHERE CAN I GET MORE INFORMATION?

Contact The Haven Project at 02 4659 0000 or Commonwealth Respite and Carelink at 1800 052 222*
*NOTE: 1800 calls free call from local phones, mobile calls at mobile rate.