We all need a break from time to time, and for some of us, our breaks need to be a bit more scheduled.
If you support someone with a disability, or have a disability yourself, you might feel overwhelmed with responsibilities. Being a carer or being around people you have to rely on means that your life might not ever feel like your own.
This is why you, more than anyone, need a break.
That’s where respite comes in.
But, what does a break mean to you? And how can the NDIS ensure that everyone who needs time away from their home gets it?
Read our quick guide on what respite can mean for you.
What actually is respite?
Respite means that you or your carer gets a break, really. It gives you time to take a moment for yourself away from where you usually spend your days. This is a luxury and it’s one many people take for granted.
For some, when it comes to taking a break, we might need to ask for help.
Living with a disability might mean our choices for a break need to be well-researched. If you’re in a wheelchair, or require daily support, it’s not always as easy as hopping onto Tripadvisor and finding the best deals.
Fortunately, many NDIS Plan’s contain sufficient funding for respite meaning that you and those around you can get some R and R.
When it comes to taking a break within the NDIS scheme, though, it might look a bit different from one person to the next.
Respite can be a couple of hours each day to just be you, away from your family, away from your friends.
And, it’s a relatively nuanced term, and it doesn’t mean the same thing to everyone. Let’s learn more about it (and find out if you have respite in your current NDIS Plan).
What does respite look like in my NDIS Plan?
Ah, the mysterious wonders of the NDIS Plan – usually met with a “huh?” and a “what on earth does that mean?”
We’re no stranger to the complexities of NDIS Plans in the Kimberley, and sometimes navigating the terminology might feel difficult. But, let’s break it down.
Respite funding comes from your Core Supports (one of the three budgets – the other two being Capacity Building and Capital).
Core Supports are there to support you with everyday activities; it’s the most flexible budget in the NDIS Plan.
Respite in the world of the NDIS can be referred to as STA, or short-term accommodation. Your NDIS funds can pay for you to stay somewhere away from where you usually stay. Meaning you don’t have to look at the same things for a while.
But, remember, respite might not always be overnight, or time away from where you live.
Respite could mean a couple of hours each day, or each week, where you get to hang out with other people, or take some time for yourself. Support work hours (which also comes out of your Core Supports budget) can also been seen as a break for you and/or your carer.
Let’s find out a bit more about STA.
Is short-term accommodation always referred to as respite?
In short, (ha – get it?), no. Short-term accommodation doesn’t always mean respite.
STA includes respite but not everyone needs to view it as respite. For example, you might need to access your STA funding if you’re in the process of moving house or you require emergency accommodation. But the main difference is respite is something that’s more planned to give you and your informal supports a bit of a break.
STA funding is amazing as it can:
- Provide a short stay away from where you usually live
- Allow you to learn a new skill (if your accommodation runs capacity building programs such as art therapy)
- Give you a chance to meet new people
Does everyone have funding for respite in their NDIS Plans?
No, STA isn’t included in everyone’s NDIS Plan as it depends on the level of support you require.
STA includes:
- Accommodation (of course)
- Food
- Personal care
- Activities (if your provider offers this – which KCG does!)
And, it sort of depends whether you require this funding which we know might sound unfair.
If you need time away from your informal supports and to stay somewhere different, then it’s important you speak to your Support Coordinator, LAC (Local Area Coordinator) and NDIS Planner.
Remember though, respite doesn’t just mean staying overnight somewhere. If you have Core Supports then you can use the funding for support hours which gives you and your carers (such as your family) time apart. Sometimes this can be enough respite for a person, but everyone’s different.
What feels like respite to you might not feel like respite to someone else. That’s why it’s best to look at your NDIS funding from an individual perspective. You can learn to use it to boost your life for the better – it might just mean that you have to do a bit of re-jigging with the supports (for example, spend less on consumable or ask for a Plan review).
Where do I find a respite care facility?
Looking online, conducting your own research and speaking with your support network can help you find the right respite spot for you.
At Kimberley Care Group, we offer STA in one of our homes. Within this space, we run many programs such as our women’s group, our haircuts & vibes session, gardening, music group and many more.
But our activities aren’t the only thing which makes our STA shine. We want you to feel as at home as possible, which is why you’re able to bring all your creature comforts.
And when we say ‘creature,’ we can actually mean creature. We understand that parting from family, friends or your animal companions can be a bit much which is why we let you bring them with you!
We want you to be as comfortable as possible when you’re at your home away from home, so remember to reach out to us and let us know how best we can support you.
Contact us today to find out when you can come and stay with Kimberley Care Group.
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