Frequently Asked Questions

Below is a list of questions we are often asked. If you have any further questions, please contact us

1. I am not a Department of Ageing, Disability & Home Care HACC funded service but can I still attend Metro North Sub-regional or Regional Forum meetings?
2. HSNet sounds as if it would be beneficial for my organisation and staff as we will be able to refer client electronically, access relevant information and join groups.  How do I access training, register for HSNet and register for the Metro North HACC Network Forum?
3. What is the HACC Development Project?
4. What does Northern Sydney Commonwealth Carer Respite Centre do?
5. Who are carers?
6. What is respite?
7. Do I need to be on a carer's pension or allowance to qualify for help through the Northern Sydney Commonwealth Carer Respite Centre?
8. How much does respite cost?
9. How do I get help through the Northern Sydney Commonwealth Carer Respite Centre? Do I have to register?
10. What does short term respite mean?
11. Where do the respite care workers come from?
12. How much help can I have through the Northern Sydney Commonwealth Carer Respite Centre?
13. Where does respite happen?
14. Can I have respite on the weekend?
15. Can I get respite when I'm sick?
16. Can I get respite to go away on holiday?
17. How much Residential Respite can I have in a year? Is that a calendar year or a financial year?
18. How do I access Residential Respite for my mother?
19. What does Residential Respite cost?
    

Answers

1. I am not a Department of Ageing, Disability & Home Care HACC funded service but can I still attend Metro North Sub-regional or Regional Forum meetings?
   Yes, all community care service provider, government agencies and government departments who provide a service to the HACC target group are encouraged to attend the Metro North Sub-regional or Regional Forums. The HACC target group is people who are aged, people with disability and their carers.  The Sub-regional forums meeting monthly and there are two Regional Forums held in the Metro North region each year. There is a list of dates, times and venues HACC Forum Meeting Dates. For more information on Sub-regional Forums call Ruth Jacka 9415 4855 or email ruthj@nsforum.org.au
   
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2. HSNet sounds as if it would be beneficial for my organisation and staff as we will be able to refer client electronically, access relevant information and join groups. How do I access training, register for HSNet and register for the Metro North HACC Network Forum?
   NCOSS is providing training for HSNet through CCWT.  To find more on training, times, dates and venues contact NCOSS http://www.ncoss.org.au/bsdp/index.html .  To register for HSNet you can either do that through NCOSS web-site or  www.hsnet.nsw.gov.au. Once you are a member of HSNet with a password and name you can join a 'group'.  Look up Metro North HACC Forum Network and click on 'join'. An email will be sent to HACC DO with a request to join the group.  You will be notified as to whether you have been accepted or rejected.  You can register for HSNet and Metro North HACC Forum Network prior to doing the training.
   
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3. What is the HACC Development Project? See HACC Development Project
   
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4. What does Northern Sydney Commonwealth Carer Respite Centre do?
   

   The Northern Sydney Commonwealth Carer Respite Centre can provide you with:

   -Information and advice about your respite options

   -Help with organising emergency, short term or planned respite

   -Assistance with meeting the cost of respite if required

   -24 hour respite service in times of crisis or emergency

   -Provision of information on residential respite, including respite vacancies in  hostels and   nursing homes
   -Links with carer support groups, and other services that support carers in their  caring role
   -Indirect respite services such as provision of transport, hire of equipment, and  minor home  modifications may be available for carers under certain circumstances.
    Please call 1800 059 059 for further information

   
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5. Who are carers?
   A Carer is defined as a person such as a family member, friend or neighbour, who provides regular and sustained care and assistance to another person without payment for their caring role other than a pension or benefit. Back to Top
   
   
6. What is respite?
   Respite is a break from the responsibility of looking after someone.
   
   
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7. Do I need to be on a carers pension or allowance to qualify for help through the Northern Sydney Commonwealth Carer Respite Centre?
   No. The service is open to anyone who provides care for another person living within the Northern Sydney area.

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8. How much does respite cost?
   There is no set fee for the service but carers are encouraged to contribute to the cost.
   
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9. How do I get help through the Northern Sydney Commonwealth Carer Respite Centre? Do I have to register?
   In order to get assistance from our service you will need to ring us and speak to an Intake Officer.

   -An Intake Officer will take down some details about yourself and the person you care   for.
   -They will ask questions to get an idea of the dates and times you would like to have   the respite and an idea of what is going on for you at the time.
   -This information is passed on to a coordinator who will contact you to arrange your   respite service.
   

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10. What does short term respite mean?
    Short term respite really depends upon the amount of service you require. It may be for a few hours a day, or a night or even some hours over a period of weeks. Back to Top
    
    
11. Where do the respite care workers come from?
    The workers come from agencies within the Northern Sydney area with which we have a Comprehensive Service Agreement. This ensures a high level of competency, reliability and standard of service.
    
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12. How much help can I have through the Northern Sydney Commonwealth Carer Respite Centre?
    The Carer Respite Centre is a short term service - we can not provide assistance on an ongoing basis. Every request for respite is assessed individually and the respite plan is developed according to your individual need.
    
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13. Where does respite happen?
    The respite provided can be in your home or in a variety of settings that suit the carer and the person being supported..
    
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14. Can I have respite on the weekend?
    Yes, we aim to be as flexible as possible and try to organise a service that best suits your needs.
    
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15. Can I get respite when I am sick?
    Yes.
    
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16. Can I get respite to go away on holiday?
    Yes. The Northern Sydney Commonwealth Carer Respite Centre can assist the person you care for whilst you are having a holiday.
    
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17. How much Residential Respite can I have in a year? Is that a calendar year or a financial year?
    Sixty three (63) days per financial year. If you receive a carer payment the maximum number of days you can take without affecting your payment is reduced to 42 days. In extenuating circumstances it is possible to apply to ACAT to vary both of these allocations.

    ACAT contact details for Northern Sydney:

    Northern Beaches ACAT	9998-0356
    Ryde ACAT	9858 0782
    Hornsby Ku-ring-gai ACAT	9477 9525
    Lower North Shore ACAT	9926 8705

    
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18. How do I access Residential Respite for my mother?
    It is important, if possible, to plan your Residential Respite well in advance. Your mother will require an assessment by her local ACAT [Aged Care Assessment Team] to be able to access Residential Respite. It may take several weeks before ACAT is able to do the assessment. See below for ACAT contact details. The assessment is called an Aged Care Client Record [ACCR]. ACAT will give you a coy of the ACCR for your own records. From the assessment you will be able to see whether your mother requires high level [usually nursing home] or low level [usually hostel] Residential Respite. Once you have decided on the dates you require respite you can contact Northern Sydney Commonwealth Carer Respite Centre on 1800 059 059 for information on vacancies and to discuss your options. Guided by the vacancy information we provide to you, you can contact the Aged Care Facilities directly to make your booking.

    ACAT contact details for Northern Sydney:

    Manly ACAT	9951 0330
    Mona Vale ACAT	9998 0356
    Ryde ACAT	9858 0782
    Hornsby Ku-ring-gai ACAT	9477 9525
    Lower North Shore ACAT	9926 8705

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19. What does Residential Respite cost?
    Residential Respite in Aged Care Facilities is subsidised by the Australian Government. In addition to this, people accessing Residential Respite will be charged a basic daily care fee, currently $29.25 [around 85% of the pension] in a non-extra service facility. There are a small number of extra service facilities in Northern Sydney. Fees in these facilities vary widely according to what they provide and are best obtained by contacting the facility directly.

    You may be asked to pay a fee to secure your booking. If you cancel your booking this fee may be forfeited.
    
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