Care time break

By Lia Bichel
FULL-TIME carers could take a break from their busy lives with the National Respite for Carers Program at Southern Cross Care, Lynbrook.
The program has been operating for almost two years, but site manager Melissa Foster said there was a lack of awareness in the community about their programs.
“We offer a program seven days a week, from 7am until 7pm, with a lot of different activities catering to everyone’s interests,” Ms Foster said. “It’s of minimal cost to families, and we have many vacancies left.”
Activities include a range of trips from outings to the local shopping centre to a journey out of town.
“We have gone to the Balla Balla centre, Merricks General Store for wine tasting, Melbourne docklands and to a lavender farm where everyone learned about different ways lavender could be used,” she said.
Twenty two people are currently registered, but Ms Foster hoped increased community awareness would lead to more people participating in the program.
“We want to take the pressure off families who are constantly caring for a relative,” she said.
“Some people may only need a one-day break, some need five days a week.”
For more information about the organisation, which is run on behalf of The Department of Health and Ageing, contact Melissa Foster at 8768 6100.