Bupa Aged Care
Bupa Team Member and resident having a conversation

Residential care

Emergency respite care

What is emergency respite care?

Respite care is short-term residential aged care.

If an emergency occurs, like a sudden change in circumstances or an unforeseen event, respite care can be an option at short notice to seek appropriate care if a loved one can’t be in their own home.

Residential respite care means you can stay and live in a Bupa Aged Care home along with current residents.

You'll have access to around-the-clock support and a range of lifestyle activities, with the chance to find friends and like-minded individuals rather than being isolated or restricted to one-on-one care arrangements.

Why choose emergency respite care?

Emergencies happen. It could be an urgent hospital visit, a sick relative or immediate travel needs.

If you’re in need of emergency care for an elderly friend or family member, residential respite care is a convenient option. This type of care offers peace of mind for carers and their family, including the resident when they stay with us. Residents receive access to a 24/7 rostered nurse and there’s an easy call assistance system.

How do I apply for emergency respite care?

As with any other form of respite care, residents will need to be approved by the Australian Government by taking an ACAT (Aged Care Assessment Team) assessment (ACAS in Victoria), before they can move into a home.

My Aged Care or our team can help with arranging an ACAT/ACAS assessment.

Whether planned or in an emergency, the government subsidises up to 63 days of approved respite care per person, per financial year subject to your ACAT/ACAS assessment.

What are the fees for emergency respite care?

All respite residents are charged the basic daily fee for each day of their stay. The fee amount is set by the Government and equates to 85% of the single person rate of the basic age pension.

The fee is reviewed by the Government on 20 March and 20 September each year in line with the single basic Age Pension increase. Details are published on the Department of Health and Aged Care’s website.

As respite care is short-term, residents won’t have to pay an accommodation charge or a deposit. Our Aged care costs calculator will show the current basic daily fee amount . An additional services cost may apply such as Sapphire Services, which is dependent on the services available at the respite home.

When you need care, we're here to support you

Contact the team about emergency respite care.