HACC Respite Guidelines

September 2007 by Kevin Marron

The HACC Respite service type Guidelines have recently been released by DADHC following the protracted review which commenced in 2004. This is just an 11 page document which has been greatly contracted from the 64 page drafts circulating this time last year.
There are still key elements of these guidlines that we have objections to. These being:

• The carer being the principle client. The client should be the family unit, including at least both the carer and care recipient.
• Services are provided either from the home of the care recipient or in a Host Family home.
  This is restrictive in not allowing providers to utilise other models of support which may better meet client needs.
• Overnight Respite outside the home not allowed.
  This then excludes the use of the Host Family servcie model, as the care recipient is residing in overnight care outside their own home, and conflicts with section 1.3 of the Guidelines.
• Medication Monitoring: This has been changed from what was in the previous draft Guidelines.
  Providers need the practical capacity of supporting care recipients in medication administration with oral forms of medications. This should be guided by clear policies & procedures (which already exist within the current service system) & competency skill sets carried out by either paid staff or volunteers.
• Money Handling: Not allowed to support.
  Providers need the practical capacity of supporting care recipients with money handling if undertaking community access activities. This should be guided by clear policies & procedures, & competency skill sets carried out by either paid staff or volunteers.
• Cost of Transport: This is an increasing issue within the industry from both the client’s and providers perspective. Transport is a component to accessible respite and comes at a cost. Providers should have some funded capacity within their budgets to flexibly meet the transport needs of some clients. Many clients simply do not have the financial capacity to meet transport costs associated with accessing respite.