Support for Carers
Demonstration Day Respite pilot
The Demonstration Day Respite (DDR) pilot, announced in the 2007-08 Budget, provided $41.2 million over four years, to fund a pilot program delivering day respite in aged care homes.
The DDR pilot was to evaluate new respite options that would provide greater choice for carers and broaden the range of services offered by aged care homes through the use of existing infrastructure, services and skills. An open tender process was undertaken to select the pilot providers.
Evaluation of the pilot
An evaluation of the pilot program has been conducted and concluded that the DDR pilot has met its policy objectives in providing a wider range of respite services than are available under the NRCP.The DDR has also helped carers of the frail elderly to reduce their stress and their concern about the care recipient, improved their mental health and provided more time for carers to address their own health issues.
The use of day respite services can delay entry into full time residential care (as do other respite options), but uniquely to this type of respite it can facilitate the transition to residential care.
An analysis of the client pathways through the DDR pilot is available.
An executive summary of the evaluation report is available.
The executive summary refers to additional reports. These additional reports contain confidential and personal information that prevents them from being published.
Extension of pilot
The pilot will be extended for 12 months until 30 June 2012 in line with other services provided under the National Respite for Carers Program.Further Information
If you require further information regarding the evaluation of the DDR pilot contact the Department of Health and Ageing by email to NRCP.mailbox@health.gov.auTop of page
