Service Description
Respite service, including residential respite service (RRS) and day respite service, is a form of temporary support service provided by rehabilitation service units for persons with disabilities (PWDs) to enable their family members or carers to take a break and relieve their stress aim at encouraging and helping PWDs to continue living in the community for as long as possible.
Eligibility for the Service
The target service users of respite service are PWDs aged 6 or above, who are -
1. in need of personal care assistance and nursing support (if applicable) within the scope of service provided by the respective type of rehabilitation services;
2. physically and mentally suitable for communal living without challenging behaviours; and
3. free from active infectious diseases.
Service Provision
The respite service could be utilized repeatedly but the service period of respite service should be no more than 14 days under normal circumstances, or any duration as advised by the Social Welfare Department (SWD), so as to allow more PWDs to use the service. The Service Operator may extend the service period up to 42 days subject to the availability of vacancies. Consultation with SWD is required for special cases in need of respite service for more than 42 days.
Application Procedures
1. Application can be made by parents/carers themselves directly or sent referral via social workers of Medical Social Services units, Integrated Family Services Centers, special schools or rehabilitation service units to the service units operating RRS.
2. Applicants should observe the rules of admission to Residential Care Homes (RCHD) for Persons with Disabilities to conduct a medical examination by a registered medical practitioner prior to admission to an RCHD with the "Medical Examination Form for Residents in Residential Care Homes for Persons with Disabilities". For urgent or special cases that medical examinations cannot be conducted prior to admission, medical examination should be arranged within 3 calender days after admission to RCHD.
3. If in urgent need of Residential Respite Service for the persons with disabilities during non-office hours, they may directly approach the service operator of private residential care homes for the persons with disabilities under the Bought Place Scheme (BPS) providing residential respite service for assistance. Non-office hours are (i) Monday to Saturday, from 5pm to 9am of the following day, and (ii) Sunday and Public Holidays, from 9am to 9am of the following day.
Service Fee
Service charges are calculated on a daily basis depending on the type of hostel / home concerned / number of day(s) used and the subvention levels of the service. The general fee charging rates of the service are listed below:
| Existing daily charge for service users receiving Disability Allowance | Existing daily charge for service users not receiving Disability Allowance | |
|---|---|---|
|
Hostel for Moderately Mentally Handicapped Persons (HMMH) Private Home Participating In Bought Place Scheme (Medium-level of Care) |
$52 | $49 |
|
Hostel for Severely Mentally Handicapped Persons (HSMH) Hostel for Severely Physically Handicapped Persons (HSPH) Hostel for Severely Physically Handicapped Persons with Mental Handicap (HSPH/MH) Private Home Participating In Bought Place Scheme (High-level of Care) |
$62 | $55 |
| Care and Attention Home for Severely Disabled Persons (C&A/SD) | $62 | $55 |
| Supported Hostel | $33 | $30 |
Note 1: With prior approval from the Social Welfare Department, individual service units may charge higher rates under individual circumstances.
