Star the Sea Respite Cottage

What is flexible respite? Providing Flexible and responsive services to Carers is something Calvary does well. Often emergency or unplanned respite is requested when Carers are experiencing extreme stress, and require a short term break from their caring roles, we are able to assist with many forms of respite to ensure both Carer and care recipient is achieving goals and meaningful outcomes Our service displays innovation through delivery of services in a variety of settings: Day cottage based respite Overnight cottage based respite In home respite Individual outings Group outings- such as Fishing- Bunnings sessions Community based overnight group respite Times and days are mutually agreed upon, and can be short or long term The Respite service that Calvary Community Care provides is based on the carer and care recipients care needs using a holistic approach. Every client has a unique journey and as such has specific needs and goals.

Feedback letter from Carer: Poem from care recipient:

Clients feedback on our service At Calvary we encourage all forms of feedback from our clients and consumers, as this is a building block for excellence in care. We survey all clients every 2 years, and also following our overnight community group respites The next slide is a genuine letter of feedback received from one carer. Also a poem which was written by a current care recipient.

Challenges that we face Whilst providing carers with a much deserved break we face many types of challenges. Listed are a few of the day to day challenges. Space- while we strive to provide a home like environment, with the increase on demand for assistance comes a challenge to provide the care recipient with the required space to be engaged in a range of activities throughout the day that promotes independence and a sense of achievement Transport- Trying to assist carers with transport of their loved one to and from the service is problematic when the demand exceeds the availability of Support staff and budgetary constraints An ageing workforce- While many of our staff are committed to providing quality care and continuity to our clients, unfortunately many are reducing their availability of days per week Ensuring that the funding dollar meets the demand. By far the largest challenge as we are living longer and clients wish to stay at home longer. Our service has had increased demand for service, and as such we have created a waiting list for all services.

Providing care to our clients at Star of The Sea ignites a passion within many of the staff. We are able to identify the difference the care and interaction makes to both Carer and care recipients. This is evident daily, as is due to the careful programming that occurs ensuring each care recipient is given pleasure and a sense of achievement when activities are completed. Every client that receives respite at Star of the Sea has independence promoted, and we focus on what they can do rather than what they struggle to do. Carers feel confident that they can continue being an active member of the community, whilst their loved one is being cared for in a stimulating safe environment..

Our vision along with Calvary is to excel at the care we provide and to continually look for ways to improve what we do. To also ensure every client feels valued and happy in the time they spend with us. Star Of The Sea Respite Cottage - 2 Cedar Grove Forster NSW 2428 Chiara Respite Cottage- 3 Gosforth Grove Lakelands NSW 2282 St Lukes Social Centre – 77 Dawson St Cooks Hill NSW 2300 Bluebell Cottage – 50 Brookong Ave Wagga Wagga NSW 2650 Calvary Respite Cottage – 18 Frome St Port Augusta SA 5700