Carelink

Commonwealth Carelink Centre’s aim to help you live independently in your own home. Anyone who needs information about community aged care, disability and other support services can call us on 1800 052 222*. We can provide advice on:

• the range of services available and how to contact them
• who is eligible to receive the services
• whether there are any costs associated with receiving the services, and
• aged care assessment services for access to Community Aged Care Packages or entry into aged care homes

Commonwealth Carelink Centre

Commonwealth Carelink Centres are an Australian Government Initiative. They are co located with the Commonwealth Carer Respite Centres across the Suncare Community Services Brisbane North and Central Queensland regions. Commonwealth Carelink Centres are information centres for seniors, frail aged and older people who are carers, people with disabilities and their carers and those who provide care and support services. Centres provide free and confidential information on community aged care, disability and other support services available locally, interstate or anywhere within Australia.

The network of Commonwealth Carelink Centres was established in 2001 and there are now 65 'walk-in' shop fronts throughout Australia. Many shop fronts are conveniently co-located as Commonwealth Respite & Carelink Centres and centrally located for community members to access.

The Centres also coordinate four Carebus ‘mobile information units’ across both regions. Anybody and every body in the community can benefit from access to the 7,000 valuable resources that the mobile Carebus Units offer freely each time they are in a community setting. The motto of the Carebus volunteer staff is “even if only one person is helped with information from the Carebus then it has been a good day”. This is because the volunteers and staff have experienced and do recognise that they can never underestimate how anxious and difficult it can be for a carer, a young person, a person with a mental health condition, or a disability, or an independent elderly person to ask for or find information, support and assistance when they are in crisis or need of assistance.

You can contact your nearest Commonwealth Carelink Centre by phoning a national telephone number Freecall™ 1800 052 222*.

Commonwealth Respite & Carelink Centre

Our network of Suncare Commonwealth Carer Respite Centres have amalgamated with our Carelink Centre’s and are now recognised as Commonwealth Respite & Carelink Centre’s.

The services of the network of Centre’s include:

• counselling and support
• information on respite options
• information on community aged care, disability and other support services
• assistance in finding respite services that suit carers and those they care for
• links to other appropriate community supports
• information about carers' support groups
• assistance with short and long term care planning
• resource centre for carers
• access to an emergency after hours service
• residential respite booking service

We work with Carers to plan sensible approaches to respite and other support needs and also arrange 24 hour emergency respite care.
Carers are family members and friends who look after someone who is frail aged, has an ongoing disability or a chronic or mental illness. The person they care for has difficulty managing at home or in the general community without assistance.

Respite is important. Call 1800 059 059 (freecall except from mobiles)

Carers are often on duty 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. They need time out to attend to other matters, other family members and above all, have time for themselves. Respite can reduce the stress of caring and assist carers to look after their own health and wellbeing.

Respite is most successful when it provides carers with a break as well as providing the person being cared for with a positive experience. Carers can relax if they know that the person they care for is well looked after and happy.

Please go to ‘Respite Support & Information’ for more information on programs and support available through our Centres or call us on 1800 059 059

Other Languages

Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS)

TIS National can provide telephone and onsite interpreters for non-English speakers.
Telephone 131 450 if you need an interpreter.

Resources are also available in Other Languages from our Carelink Centre on 1800 052 222