The Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centre / CarerLinks North are three co-located services providing free information and assistance to carers and the broader community in the Northern Metropolitan sub-region of Melbourne (which which includes the municipalities of Banyule, Darebin, Hume, Moreland, Nillumbik, Whittlesea and Yarra). These services are:
- Commonwealth Carelink Centre
- Commonwealth Carer Respite Centre
- CarerLinks North
The focus of our respite services are to support carers in their caring role, while Carelink is an information service aimed at helping people live independently at home.
The Commonwealth Carer Respite Centre
CarerLinks North
The services of the Carer Respite Centre / CarerLinks North include:
- counselling and support
- information on respite options
- information on community aged care, disability and other support services
- assistance in finding respite services that suit carers and those they care for
- links to other appropriate community supports
- information about carers' support groups
- assistance with short and long term care planning
- drop-in and resource centre for carers
- access to an emergency after hours service
- residential respite booking service
Who are Carers?
Carers are family members and friends who look after someone who is frail aged, has an ongoing disability or a chronic or mental illness. The person they care for has difficulty managing at home or in the community without assistance.
Why is respite important?
Carers are often on duty 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. They need time out to attend to other matters, other family members and above all, have time for themselves. Respite can reduce the stress of caring and assist carers to look after their own health and wellbeing. Respite is most successful when it provides carers with a break as well as providing the person being cared for with a positive experience. Carers can relax if they know that the person they care for is well looked after and happy.
Carelink
Commonwealth Carelink Centres aim to help you live independently in your own home. Anyone who needs information about community aged care, disability and other support services can call us on 1800 052 222*. We can provide advice on;
- the range of services available and how to contact them
- who is eligible to receive the services
- whether there are any costs associated with receiving the services, and
- aged care assessment services for access to Community Aged Care Packages or entry into aged care homes
