When to use respite care for your loved one

Respite care in a residential aged care community can be a safe, short-term solution for families or partners caring for an elderly loved one. In PresCare’s welcoming Maryborough and Rockhampton communities, we care for respite guests with low care, high care and memory care needs. Guests can join us for a week or two at a time, or longer if needed.

The Australian Government subsidises the cost of respite care for eligible residents for up to 63 days in a financial year, making this an affordable option for families.

Respite guests receive expert care 24/7, and access the same support, lifestyle program, and meal service as permanent residents.

Here are some of the times when respite care can provide you with the trusted support you and your loved one need:

1. When you need a break from your carer role

Relax and recharge with peace of mind that your loved one will enjoy companionship, fun times and personalised care.

2. Following a hospital stay

Your loved can recuperate and recover with expert 24/7 care and all meals and housekeeping provided.

3. When you’re on holiday

Head away on a holiday knowing your loved one will be looked after with tailored support in a vibrant and welcoming environment.

4. When they need emergency care

Respite is an ideal option if your loved one has had an accident, injury or illness, and they need dedicated, ‘round-the-clock care in a hurry.

5. To trial what living in one of our communities is like

Your loved one can experience what it’s like to live at a PresCare aged care community before considering a more permanent move.

Respite guests enjoy all the support and services that permanent residents access, including:

  • 24/7 tailored care from our dedicated team of Carers and on-site Nurses
  • A private, light-filled suite with plenty of space for personal belongings
  • A full, country-style meal service (including morning and afternoon tea), plus all-day access to snacks and drinks. Respite guests can choose when and where they enjoy their meals.
  • Daily housekeeping, laundry and room service
  • Access to our full activity schedule, indoor and outdoor shared spaces and on-site hairdressing salon
  • Pastoral support and on-site Church services

To find out more about respite care, download our Respite Guide, or contact our friendly admissions teams:

For Yaralla Place and Groundwater Lodge in Maryborough, call (07) 4120 5800 or email admissionsMB@prescare.org.au

For Alexandra Gardens in Rockhampton, call (07) 4999 3000 or email admissionsAG@prescare.org.au

Our favourite Gingerbread recipe – with a twist

Who doesn’t love yummy little Gingerbread men at Christmas time? This is our Head Chef’s favourite Gingerbread recipe that Apollo Care residents and visitors will be enjoying in each of our communities this festive season.

For something different, we love pairing these Gingerbreads with a French-inspired syrup. It’s delicious drizzled over the biscuits and definitely adds a fancy touch to this Christmas classic.

Here’s the recipe so you can try at home:

Gingerbread (makes 24)


Ingredients

580g plain flour

3 tsp ground ginger

2 tsp baking powder

2 tsp ground cinnamon

1 tsp ground cloves

1/2 tsp salt

175g softened butter

175g caster sugar

2 eggs

2 tbsp orange juice

1/2 cup molasses

Sugar to dust

Method

1. Cream butter and sugar together.

2. Combine all dry ingredients in a separate bowl.

3. Add eggs, orange juice and molasses to the creamed butter and sugar mixture.

4. Slowly add the dry mixture and stir until it comes together as a dough.

5. Roll the mixture on a floured bench with a rolling pin to a consistent thickness of approx. 0.5cm.

6. Use a cookie cutter to make gingerbread-shaped biscuits and place on a baking tray lined with baking paper, then dust with sugar.


7. Bake at 175 degrees for 8-10 minutes, or until lightly golden.

8. Cool completely on a wire rack before decorating with piped icing

Pain D’Epice Syrup


Ingredients

125g Sugar

500ml water

¼ tsp ground cinnamon

¼ tsp ground ginger

1 star anise

1 cardamom pod

Small pinch ground cloves

Small pinch ground nutmeg

Method

1. Combine all ingredients in a saucepan and bring to a gentle simmer.

2. Keep simmering until syrup has reduced to desired consistency, then remove star anise and cardamon pod from the mixture.

3. Allow to cool and then serve syrup as a drizzle or dipping sauce with the Gingerbreads.

Head Chef Fab is making big changes to meal service

Fab has been working hard on a program of improvements that’s focused on quality, variety and flexibility. Residents are now enjoying more meal options, more fresh and seasonal ingredients, and more choice over when and where they have their meals.

You’ll often find Fab visiting the dining rooms asking the residents for feedback about their meals and what they’d like to see on the menu. Not surprisingly, country classics are high on the request list! Fab’s favourite part of his role is seeing how beautifully prepared food can make their day more special.

So, what’s in the pipeline with meal service at Yaralla and Groundwater? Residents will soon enjoy an improved dining room experience with new tablecloths, serviettes and crockery, and we’re welcoming another qualified chef to join our team. Fab is also reintroducing regular Food Focus meetings to give residents even more say in the menu design. Most exciting is the major refurbishment of the kitchens at Groundwater and Yaralla planned for April this year.