National Carers Week

From 11 – 17 October 2020, National Carers Week makes special recognition of those who care for others. During the week, The Salvation Army Aged Care will be acknowledging all of those who make it their mission to care for others within their sites and services but also primary caregivers who may be seeking temporary respite from their role. 

The Salvation Army Aged Care’s Karim Beheram says that respite care is very important. “It gives the primary carer a bit of a break so that they can concentrate on their own wellbeing,” he explains. “It also gives the care recipient an opportunity to experience the care that we provide.”

Karim is the Area Manager at Macquarie Lodge Aged Care Centre in Arncliffe which offers permanent residential care as well as short term respite services including post-hospitalisation care. At Macquarie Lodge Aged Care Centre, professional care staff look after the residents, each with their own individual needs. “We make sure that our residents have a good experience and that they feel like they’re at home,” Karim says.

According to Macquarie Lodge Aged Care Centre Care Manager Nobuko Fujito, the best person to speak to about respite care is the Admissions Manager but that there is also a pre-admissions day at Macquarie Lodge where clinicians will make time to see potential respite residents prior to admission. “Family members and residents can ask a lot of questions,” she says. Upon admission to the Centre, Nobuko says that most respite residents will stay for a period of two weeks.

“Within those two weeks, our respite co-ordinator will have one-on-one time with the resident to make sure all their care needs and requests are met to the best of our ability,” Karim says. “There is also constant feedback with their family members.” He explains that the menu choice for residents is cooked by chefs on-site and that a range of individual and group lifestyle activities such a watching a movie or arts and crafts are provided too.

In celebration of National Carers Week, Macquarie Lodge Aged Care Centre will offer up to 14 days of free respite care from 12th to 25th October 2020. Carers can take a break or attend to other commitments with peace of mind that their loved one is comfortable and safe with The Salvation Army Aged Care. Booking is on a first-come-first-served basis and the respite period can start at any time within this period and can continue for up to 2 weeks.