Providers are not keen to take advance respite bookings for more than a few weeks ahead.
This is due to financial pressures in the industry.
From a facility's point of view, it is preferable to have a live-in client rather than someone who is just going to stay for a few days.
As a first step, it may help to ring the local Needs Assessment and Service Coordination service and ask if they are aware of any facility that will take advance bookings (there are still a few that offer this service).
In the Auckland area, you can call Residential Care Line approximately two weeks in advance of the time that you require respite (0800) 725 463. We will check a vacancy list for the desired area to identify places that have a number of respite or Carer Support vacancies. At this point, when a manager can see their facility has available places, they are more likely to commit to a short-term arrangement.
Make an appointment to view the facility. A good tip is to arrive 10 minutes early to observe how people interact with one another, and gauge how comfortable your relative might be in this environment.
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Other suggestions:
Ask the manager if there are any extra costs that you will be responsible for.
Usually the Carer Support subsidy does not fully meet the cost of short-term care, and there will be a daily shortfall you will have to pay. In the case of hospital level care, this daily amount is substantial. Ask too about activities, outings and whether physiotherapy is available.
People going into care for a short stay should take their own medications, incontinence products and toiletries. Ask about this. Most facilities like the doctor to see new residents, and this may be an extra cost.
You can use your own doctor.
You may be asked to sign an Admission Agreement to cover the term of your stay. Take this away to review before signing.
Short stays in a rest home or hospital are an excellent way of relationship-building for the future, should your family member ever need this type of care full-time.
If your family member's first experience is not successful, try another to get a better match for their needs.
Eldernet http://www.eldernet.co.nz/Home provides an up-to-date vacancy service for rest homes and hospitals in Auckland, the Bay of Plenty, Waikato, Tairawhiti, Canterbury, and Waitemata. You can visit the site to find vacancies.