Centre Based Respite

The day respite service provides socialisation and outings for the frail elderly people of Melville who may have disabilities or short-term memory loss and live in their own homes.

The day centre runs for five days a week with double services on Wednesday and Friday. Small group outings are also provided five days a week, so we have plenty of staff and use a range of volunteers for the centre and for driving.

Monday, Tuesday and Thursday at June Barton House and Wednesday at Bullcreek are services for clients who are mentally alert but have some disabilities. Wednesday and Friday at June Barton House and Friday at Bullcreek for those clients who have shot-term memory loss or who are diagnosed with dementia (up to 15 clients per day).

A programme is provided in advance each month for the clients to see what they will be doing each week. Outings are scheduled to occur every third week to restaurants, hotels, food halls etc. The other two weeks modified games, entertainers, guest speakers, craft or other activities are provided. Footy tipping is a part of the winter activities for those interested and we run a weekly powerball competition.

The activity room is regularly decorated to celebrate special events and special dinners and activities are organised for Easter, Anzac Day and Christmas etc. At Christmas all clients have the opportunity to attend the tour of the Christmas Lights and a special Christmas party is held for each group.

Volunteers assist in the morning tea preparation and serving, setting up lunch tables and serving the meal, assisting clients with the activities and providing social support both in the centre and on outings. We also have volunteers who drive the buses to pickup the clients and bring them into the centre and take them home.