Flexible Respite
A cottage respite short stay
A short stay away, with the comforts of home
We are Sydney based and have homes in the Eastern Suburbs, Hunters Hill, Hornsby Shire, North Shore, Northern Beaches, Hills District, Inner West and Sutherland Shire communities, specialising in dementia care.
Call us to explore our Respite Short Stay options.
Our Flexible Respite offers a short stay away, with all the comforts of home. This is an important factor to consider for someone experiencing cognitive loss who benefits from familiarity and social connection. A home that offers a connection to the local community, where a person can stay involved in everyday life and feel a genuine sense of belonging.
Our respite offering is a little different to others. For most, there is a set time period that you need to stick to – or there’s a long waiting list. With us, stay for as little or as long as you need.
What’s included in Flexible Respite care
- Round-the-clock support – 24/7 supervision and care from our dedicated team
- Nutritious meals and meaningful activities – all thoughtfully planned to support wellbeing, routine and enjoyment
- Everyday and clinical care – from personal care and housekeeping to clinical nursing, provided by our Homemakers and Registered Nurses
- Comprehensive health support – regular visits from local GPs and Allied Health professionals help ensure each person’s health needs are well managed
- Emotional support for the whole family – our in-house Social Workers are here to support both residents and families through every stage of the journey
- Flexible and independent model – we welcome self-funded residents, as well as those with Support at Home funding (previously Home Care Packages) or NDIS. There are no upfront RADs or ACAT assessments required — just a simple daily fee. Our team can walk you through what’s involved.
“I am writing to express my sincere appreciation and acknowledgement of the fine team at their Irrubel home. From the preliminary assessments to our arrival at the home, we were immediately put at ease, quickly appreciating the amenities of the home, its warmth and charm obvious to all.
In what is a challenging and constantly demanding environment we saw only smiles, constant positivism, continual engagement and genuine empathy coming from the team. The daily photos were a tremendous help and my family still looks at them to show other family and friends how happy our loved one was at Irrubel.
We will have no hesitation in requesting respite/care for her in the future with you and would happily recommend you and your team to anyone.”
– Facebook post, December 2023
Helpful reading, when you're ready
Take a moment. When you feel ready, we’ve gathered thoughtful notes and real answers to questions we’re often asked, designed to support you through each step.
When is the right time to consider short stay flexible respite dementia care?
It is never easy to recognise when the right time is to explore dementia care, as every family and story is different. It depends on how a person’s dementia is changing, and the level of support they need day-to-day, as well as how their family might be coping with caring for their loved one at home.
In some cases, Flexible Respite is about taking that first step toward care. We know it’s not an easy first step to take.
In most cases, Flexible Respite is about the ‘wellbeing’ of the care circle. A mantra of ours, is to ‘take care of the people that take care of the people’ – it’s something we preach – to our team members, and to our families. It is important to take some time to pause, reflect, reset so that you can continue to be healthy and available for the people that you care for.
Our respite offering is a little different to others. For most, there is a set time period that you need to stick to – or there’s a waiting list. With us, stay for as little or as long as you need, book as often as you want. We have rooms reserved across our 23 homes for respite, so you can feel confident that support will be available when you need it.
It is good to have open and early discussions about short stay respite. After diagnosis, attending one of our Rementia Together Retreats can give you tools and strategies for living well at home with a diagnosis of dementia and at the same time, introduce you both to the idea of respite and its importance – for you both.
This means, when the time comes, you’ll be ready to take that step.
What does short stay Flexible Respite cost at Videri Australia?
Our all-inclusive flexible respite starts at $650 per day. This covers:
- Accommodation – an elegant, fully functioning home nestled within local communities, where residents have their own bedroom
- 24/7 care support – including the highest standard of personal care, clinical support, laundry, cleaning and engagement activities provided by Homemakers and Resident Care Team who know our residents intimately
- Nutritious meals – cooked and served from the kitchen, catering to individual dietary requirements and preferences
- Family support – regular updates and so that families feel supported and informed about their loved ones wellbeing
If you are wanting to trial respite with a view to a permanent stay, we offer a special trial rate for a minimum period of 21 days.
Day Respite is available from 9am-6pm at $485 per day, including all meals, outings and engagement for the day.
How do our costs compare to other respite care options?
At Videri Australia, we offer flexible respite care for as little or as long as you need, no ACAT assessment required. Our process begins with a care assessment in your home to determine the most suitable care option available for your situation.
It’s important to note that we are not a residential aged care provider and therefore do not offer the government-subsidised respite care available through residential aged care facilities (up to 63 days per year). Accessing that type of care requires an ACAT assessment and may involve wait times before a placement becomes available. If you already have ACAT referral codes, these can be used to apply for that subsidised service.
When exploring flexible care options, we recommend carefully comparing the full scope of costs across various care types, such as in-home care and residential aged care, as well as availability and the provider’s dementia-specific expertise. Studies have shown that for individuals living with dementia, respite care can sometimes lead to increased behavioural symptoms upon returning home, particularly if the provider lacks specialist dementia knowledge.
Because our pricing is all-inclusive, direct comparisons with traditional in-home or institutional care models can be challenging, particularly in relation to traditional respite care. We are more than happy to talk through the differences and help you understand what’s included.
If you’d like to discuss your specific care needs and receive a personalised estimate, please contact us at 1300 015 406. We’re here to help you navigate your funding options and find the best care solution for you.
How can I fund Flexible Respite?
You can fund your Flexible Respite with us in three ways:
- We are classed as a Support at Home provider, so if you are over 65yrs old, you can use your Support at Home (previously Home Care Package) Unspent Funds to cover all or part of your respite stay.
- We are also an NDIS provider. If you are under 65yrs old, you can use your NDIS Short Term Accommodation funding for respite care.
- We are a private model of care, so if you are self-funded you can pay privately.
How many days or times of Flexible Respites can I do?
You can have as many days as you like. As we are not a residential aged care facility, you are not limited to 63 days. Book in with us for as little or as long, or as many times as you need.
Is there an Eligibility Assessment?
Yes there is. So that we can determine the most suitable Videri Australia home, an in-person Assessment is required prior to any Flexible Respite short stay. This initial assessment may happen in person at the resident’s home or online. The purpose of the assessment is to learn the life story, and what makes you unique, as well as gather an understanding of practical care needs.
Who do you support at Videri Australia?
Whether you’re adjusting to a new dementia diagnosis, caring for a loved one living with dementia, or preparing for a transition into residential care, we see you. We are here to walk alongside and provide you with the support and care you need, at every step.
We support people living with a range of progressive cognitive conditions, including:
- Younger onset dementia
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Vascular dementia
- Lewy body disease
- Frontotemporal dementia
- Parkinson’s-related dementia
We also provide care for individuals living with complex neurological conditions such as:
- Motor neurone disease (MND) / amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
- Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE)
- Stroke
What makes Videri Australia different from dementia-specific aged care facilities?
Whilst we are not a large traditional residential aged care facility, we are somewhere you can move into for 24/7 care – when the time is right. We specialise in small, familiar homes for 6-10 residents that look, feel and function like real homes.
This model aligns with the National Aged Care Design Principles and Guidelines, as well as recommendations from the Royal Commission, which have recognised the superior health outcomes linked with smaller, more personalised environments for people living with dementia.
People who live with us, follow their own routine, and are actively involved in daily life, while being supported by trained team members – called Homemakers – who are onsite 24 hours per day. Our Videri Australia homes draw on best-practice international models that we have adapted to the Australian environment and lifestyle.
Where are your homes located?
Our homes are an alternative to traditional aged care facilities and dementia-specific nursing homes. We are Sydney-based, with residential care homes in the Eastern Suburbs, Northern Beaches, North Shore, Hills District, Sutherland Shire and Inner West communities. Learn about our home design and locations.
We are not ready for care, but we do need some guidance – can you help?
Absolutely. We support people living with dementia and their families at every stage – not just when it’s time for care.
If you are looking to learn a bit more about dementia, we hold free monthly Dementia Education Workshops where you can join us.
If you’ve recently received a diagnosis, our free, government grant funded Rementia Together Retreats can give you tools and strategies for continuing life at home with confidence.
Do you support people living with early onset dementia?
Do you accept residents who are younger than 65 years old?
Yes. We accept residents who are younger than 65 years old and who are living with high-care needs. We pride ourselves on being one of the more unique support organisations, offering residential care for people with dementia, regardless of their age.
Do you only do dementia care?
While many of our residents are living with dementia, we can also care for people with high care needs including cancer, brain tumours, motor neuron disease, mental health, terminal illness, Parkinson’s disease and acquired brain injuries (ABI). Our carers are skilled in looking after residents with a range of conditions.
Let's talk
Wherever you are in your journey, we are here for you.
Call us on 1300 015 406 or share your details via our form and we will be in touch.