Caring for the Carers Provides Much Needed Relief During Lockdown

For couples like Peter and Kay Sword, having regular access to programs that provide respite for full-time carers means the opportunity to stay at home for longer.  Peter cares for his wife Kay (76) who suffers from Alzheimers and Dementia, and during Melbourne’s extended lockdowns, services like Benetas Hurlingham House Respite Centre in Frankston had to close.

Thankfully, Benetas offers a Respite at Home model so Peter could get the break and opportunity he needed to regenerate, knowing his wife Kay was well looked after in their home.

Kay has been going to Hurlingham House since October 2019, accessing the day program and overnight cottage respite. When this closed, Peter was at a loss as to what to do, until the Benetas team advised they could come to him.

Peter explained that mentally, full-time caring for a loved one is hard.

“One of the challenges of caring for Kay is making sure she eats enough, especially in the wake of her recovering from surgery a few months ago,” he said.

“She was in pain, lost her appetite and it started to show in her weight loss.

“Benetas carers, Clare and Chrissy understood how important it was for Kay to eat enough, to keep up her strength and maintain good health.” 

They have also been giving Peter tips on helping Kay to eat more when she’s at home.

“With respite at home, they would come and help a few times a week so I could have a rest from the load of caring and Kay could get the professional support she needed.  It was a real help and I’m really thankful for the support.”

Now respite centres are open again, Peter and Kay have all the support and flexibility they need, knowing that Kay gets the best of care.

Respite can be just the kind of support families need to keep loved ones home, and delay the move into full time aged care.

Kay spends a few days and nights between the Benetas Respite Centre and the rest at home with Peter, he knows it’s a subtle introduction for when Kay may need full-time care in a home.

Peter can share the care for now with the confidence that Benetas can easily transition to residential aged care when the time comes.

He told us, “I know what’s ahead, I’ve seen what Alzheimer’s and Dementia can do to someone and respite can help Kay get used to living in a new place with different people for when the day comes that more care is needed than I can manage.”

Benetas offers day programs, overnight stays and in home respite services with Centres in Williamstown, Frankston, Glenroy, Springvale and Sunshine.

Pictured: Kay and Peter Sword