Short Stays for Carers and Those Living with Dementia

Even as a teenager, Resthaven Project Officer Sarah Stamoulis felt a pull to support older people living with dementia. At 14, she was a volunteer of Resthaven Mitcham and after school she would provide company and assistance to residents who were living in the dementia specific area. Fast forward to today, and Sarah has completed her Bachelor of Dementia Care and is jointly leading Resthaven’s Staying at Home in Regional South Australia (SAHRSA) Program, alongside fellow Project Officer Stephanie Karagiannis.

Similarly, Stephanie also has experience volunteering (with Baptist Care) and has completed her Master of Social Work study. Together, they promote, organise and implement Resthaven’s SAHRSA retreats – a chance for people living with dementia and their caregivers to enjoy a few days of respite, while also embracing wellbeing and education. The retreats are usually three days and two nights and are person-centred and goal specific to suit the individual circumstances of each participant.

Over the course of the retreat, the person living with dementia has access to tailored, fun, meaningful, and individualised support from dedicated Resthaven engagement staff, while caregivers receive education sessions on dementia-related topics.

‘The retreats are really aimed at supporting carers to enable them to keep their loved one at home for as long as possible,’ Sarah says. ‘Getting that support early and knowing what is available is the most useful thing in preventing carer stress and burn-out. We often hear from people that they can “cope on my own”. However, rather than waiting until the last possible moment to seek support, it is always more beneficial to know what help is available before it is needed.’

Stephanie says the retreats offer carers information through a variety of providers, including Carers SA and Dementia Australia. 

‘But, the bigger benefit, which we see time and again, is the connections people make with each other,’ Stephanie says. ‘It’s carers finding support from other carers who are going through the same things, as well as people living with dementia finding people who accept and understand what they are going through also.’

Previous groups of retreat guests have continued to catch up long after the retreats have finished.

‘It’s a safe space for people to talk openly,’ Stephanie says. ‘What we hear from people is that often, because they are with “strangers”, they feel able to open up about how they are truly feeling, without judgement or the weight of responsibility which might come from people closer to them.’

Along with Sarah and Stephanie, a team of Resthaven staff attend the retreats to engage with the person living with dementia, and ensure everything runs smoothly.

‘Staff stay onsite for the entire retreat, so it’s also an opportunity for Resthaven staff to work in different areas of care and support,’ Sarah says. ‘We have met so many special people on these retreats. At the end of the three days, we feel like we’ve known each other for ages – such connections are made!’

Retreat clients are supported over a six-month period that includes the retreat and a follow-up consultation. There is no need to be a Resthaven client, and there is no need to be under My Aged Care.

‘The retreats are an excellent way to promote different services available to carers,’ Sarah says. ‘It also helps carers to see that their self-care is important too. Yes, the health and wellbeing of the person living with dementia is important, but it is not more important than the health and wellbeing of the carer. It should be equal.’

The Staying at Home in Regional South Australia program is fully-funded by the Australian Government. Upcoming retreats will be held in:

• Riverland: 15 – 17 July
• Naracoorte: 12 – 14 August

For more information and to begin the process for eligibility and assessment, visit the Resthaven website www.resthaven.asn.au/sahrsa

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