One of the questions we are asked most often is a practical one: how do you actually arrange a respite stay? Here is the whole process, from the first phone call to the week you arrive.
1. Getting in touch
You can refer yourself, a family member can refer you, or a referral can come from any member of a multi-disciplinary team — a public health nurse, social worker, occupational therapist or GP. A self-referral form is completed and, where it applies, goes to the HSE Respite Support Forum for approval. If the HSE refuses an application, you have the right to appeal that decision.
2. The assessment visit
Once approval is in place, the Person in Charge invites you to visit for an assessment of needs. It is a conversation, not an examination. We talk about your general health and wellbeing, your medical history, how your medication is managed, the support you already receive at home, and any equipment you use day to day.
Sometimes we need to speak with another healthcare professional or a family member, and we only do that with your consent. If something comes up that needs a specialist opinion — a swallowing difficulty, for instance, or a risk of falls — we may ask for a speech and language therapy or occupational therapy review before confirming a date. It is not a hurdle; it is how we make sure the support waiting for you is the right support.
3. Choosing your dates
When any reports are back, we can offer you dates. You go on our directory and we contact you with several options so you can pick the week that suits. Guests usually arrive on a Monday and, for a one-week stay, head home the following Sunday morning.
One thing to note: applications must be made before your 64th birthday. Our registration covers adults aged 18 to 64, and we cannot accept referrals after that age.
4. Your pack
We then send you a pack, by post or email, to work through before you come. It contains:
- the contract for the provision of service;
- the cancellation and refund policy;
- a pre-assessment person-centred plan;
- a medication kardex to bring to your GP;
- consent forms;
- an infection prevention and control questionnaire;
- a checklist of suggested items to bring.
Bring the completed pack with you to the pre-admission meeting, and the paperwork side of things is done.
Emergency respite
Life does not always allow for planning. We keep one bedroom for emergency respite, allocated when it is free and based on the needs of the person who needs support urgently. Those placements are agreed between the Person in Charge and the HSE representative making the request.
Start the conversation
The Resident’s Guide covers the process in full, along with what life in the house is like. To begin, ring (066) 912 9000 or request a callback.
Read more about the respite we offer at Montbretia House.
