With Resthaven supporting individuals in their own homes in the community, it became apparent that, on occasions, their carers required a break from their caring role. With funding available, Resthaven established planned respite in the Marion local government area.
A new offering — Resthaven's In-Home Emergency Respite Service became available to carers of frail older people residing in the southern metropolitan area. The service was available 24/7, offering respite in 'emergency' situations when the carer needed to leave their caring role at short notice.
Following the success and national recognition of the In-Home Emergency Respite Service, and with more funding available, Resthaven expanded planned respite services in various local government areas across metropolitan Adelaide.
Resthaven’s community respite program received the Community Care Service Provider Network Award for outstanding community services.
With demand for more specialised respite programs, Resthaven joined the Dementia and Challenging Behaviours National Respite for Carers Program, offering a range of respite options for carers in the Mitcham and Marion local government areas. In addition, with further government funding, Resthaven increased provision of in-home respite services.
The 2005 Federal Budget introduced substantial funding for community-based respite services, allowing Resthaven to expand its offerings to include overnight respite. A small property located adjacent to Resthaven Westbourne Park, 'Ridgway House', was identified as the ideal location for Resthaven's first respite cottage. Previously providing low-care 'hostel' accommodation, Ridgway House offered a great opportunity to fulfill community need for short-term overnight respite for carers and centre-based day respite. This service commenced in September 2005.
On 17 November 2005, Senator Grant Chapman officially opened Ridgway House, located at 36 Sussex Terrace, Westbourne Park. With this new concept in the provision of respite services, Resthaven's respite program began operating under the name 'Community Respite Services'.
In June 2006, Resthaven secured funding for the Employed Carers Innovative Pilot project, partnering with the Lyell McEwin Hospital, Arnott's Biscuits, and Hills Industries. Resthaven researched employees at Arnott's Biscuits and Hills Industries who cared for older people at home and investigated the issues that they faced in juggling their employment and caring role. The project ceased in December 2008, with outcomes featured in a poster presentation at the Australian Association of Gerontology National Conference.
In July 2007, an art therapy program, Art Experience, was created for four 'budding artist' respite clients. Developed in partnership with Flinders University, the program utilised art therapy as a means to promote positive outcomes for people with dementia. The artists met once a week for a two-hour art session at the Flinders University Art Department, and culminated in the well-attended art show at Ridgway House on 19 October 2007.
Resthaven was awarded additional government funding to include a national pilot program that offered day respite for carers. It was proposed for the program to be based at the heritage-listed Hersey Cottages, located at 6/8 Township Rd, Marion. Introducing respite services was considered a welcome addition to the Resthaven Marion campus, as the previously derelict cottages had been extensively renovated and restored in late 2007 as part of a site redevelopment.
Commencing services at the beginning of the year, Hersey Cottages hosted an official open day and afternoon tea on 28 March 2008, which was well-attended by 200 locals, members of the Resthaven community, and health professionals. Members of the local heritage society were also keen to view the renovated cottages.
In late 2008, the garden at Ridgway House underwent a makeover to offer a better outdoor environment for guests during their stay. With a sensory garden design, paths formed a figure eight, leading people around the garden, with senses stimulated from a variety of plants, textures and colours.
Catering to male respite clients, a very popular weekly program — The Shed — was established in January 2009. Hosted next-door to Hersey Cottages in a functioning ‘shed’, the program aimed to engage men in quality activities, building relationships through working on small projects and sharing common interests.
The first anniversary of Hersey Cottages was formally celebrated with a morning tea on 19 February 2009. Members of the public, along with clients, family and friends, were given tours of the cottages and an opportunity to speak with staff about the services offered.
To celebrate Carers Week, Resthaven Community Respite Services held a creative carers workshop on 17 October 2009. Carers of any creative abilities were invited to participate in this fun workshop, which was hosted at Resthaven Marion Community Services.
On 1 August 2010, Resthaven Community Respite Services held an informal 'Open House' at the newest respite site, Lane Cottages, with afternoon tea served. Co-located with Resthaven Mitcham at Truro Avenue, Kingswood, the 'cottages' were previously used for residential activities before being specifically renovated to accommodate the Resthaven ‘WORX’ respite program. This program offered carers the opportunity to access respite for the person they care for, whilst they go to work, study or seek employment.
On 8 September 2010, Resthaven Community Respite Services joined with the Resthaven Marion residential and community sites to hold the 75th Anniversary celebration ‘On the Wings of Success ... 75 years and counting’. It was an exciting afternoon, with 75 homing pigeons (representing doves) released by residents. Marion City Council Mayor, Felicity Ann Lewis, officiated the celebratory cake cutting and afternoon tea.
On 17 October 2011, Resthaven Community Respite Services received the Inaugural Carers Award for an ‘Outstanding Initiative for Carers as Customers’. The award was presented by Hon Jennifer Rankine, State Minister for Families and Communities and Minister for Ageing. The award recognised initiatives such as carer education, support groups, and a Creative Carers Workshop.
On 20 October 2011, Resthaven Community Respite Services held an intimate book launch of a resource for carers, 'With a little help...'. Distributed widely, the resource was developed over two years as a collaborative writing project by members of the Resthaven Carers Community Advisory Group, based on the observation that there was a gap in resources available to carers that could be used to let family, friends and the community at large know a bit of what it was like to live as a carer.
In August 2014, as part of the annual South Australian Living Artists (SALA) Festival, Resthaven Community Respite Services held the 'Memories at Work' exhibition at a local cafe, which featured photographs of clients in their former working environment. On 30 October 2014, this exhibition won the 'Creative Arts' award at the 2014 COTA Every Generation Awards.
On 22 July 2015, a wonderful community artwork display was launched, developed by 30 residents, clients, staff and volunteers of Resthaven Community Respite Services and Resthaven Marion community and residential sites. Titled ‘Seasons of Life’, the work was funded through Resthaven’s first-ever ‘Artist in Residence’ program. The theme was chosen to represent cross-generational sharing and celebrating varied life experiences. For the preceding few months, Artist in Residence Connie Giacoumis guided participants through the creative process, resulting in four painted, grouted, and glazed ceramic panels depicting the four seasons.
Resthaven Community Respite Services completed an internal research project on the use of iPads. Named 'Let’s get it “app”ening’, the project involved consultation with clients and their carers about their access to iPads, as well as researching the apps available to meet a variety of needs and provide new opportunities. Apps were trialled for relevance and ease of use, with a range of topics covered such as lifestyle and entertainment, diary reminders, voice to text conversion, video calling, shopping, bill paying and internet browsing.
In April 2016, a refurbishment commenced for Ridgway House, with services temporarily relocated to Resthaven Westbourne Park. Over a few months, the site underwent a facelift to modernise the facilities, with the fit out featuring updated ensuite bathrooms, new air conditioning, and freshly laid carpet.
For a week in late June 2017, services provided at Lane Cottages were temporarily relocated to Resthaven Westbourne Park as the cottages underwent a kitchen upgrade. The new kitchen was officially opened on 2 August 2017 with Executive Manager Community Services, Sue McKechnie, cutting the ribbon.
Resthaven partnered with Flinders University to collaborate on the iSupport program, an evidence-based online dementia education and skills training program for people looking after someone living with dementia. Designed by the World Health Organisation and implemented throughout the world, the program aimed to build self-efficacy and resilience through online education for carers. In February 2019, Resthaven Community Respite Services hosted the pilot study, with clients testing a set of online education modules.
In mid-2019, the external appearance of Lane Cottages was upgraded, with the exposed cream brick rendered and painted. The site also underwent landscaping and new fencing, with the drop off area improved.
On 25 February 2020, Ridgway House held a ‘Pancake Day’ event to raise money for UnitingCare. The day featured two very special guests: Penny Pancake, and Kate Freebairn from Channel 10 news, who gave three live weather crosses from the event.
In October 2020, Resthaven Community Respite Services celebrated Resthaven’s 85th anniversary with a social group outing to Dunlace Castle in Brighton.
On 17 March 2021, the Resthaven Community Respite Services ‘Men About Town’ and ‘Just Fellas’ groups were featured on the Channel Seven News, following a special road trip to Parafield Airport. One lucky client, Mr Ian McCarthy, was taken up in the Pipistrel electric plane – making him the oldest person in Australia to do so at the time, at 91 years of age.
On 6 August 2021, the 2020-21 Tokyo Olympics were celebrated with a 'mini games' event held at Ridgway House. Clients started the day with morning tea and a warm-up, before separating into two groups and participating in activities such as ten-pin bowling, egg and spoon race, bean bag toss and wheelchair relay!
With expansion of respite services in mind, a new day and overnight community respite cottage, Toorak House, commenced operations in October 2021 at 61 Alexandra Avenue, Toorak Gardens.
In December 2021, a property was purchased at 18 Halcyon Circuit, Aldinga Beach. Set to be a new respite service for the southern area, named 'Aldinga House', works were undertaken to convert the house into an overnight and day respite cottage.
In March 2022, respite services began operation at Aldinga House, Resthaven's newest respite cottage. A soft opening 'Open Day' was held on 12 May 2022 to show potential clients through.
On 10 March 2023, Resthaven hosted Sharon Tentye, Carers SA Executive Manager Service Delivery, to share ideas about how Resthaven and Carers SA can work together to support older people and their carers. A team of Resthaven staff took Sharon on a tour of Aldinga House, and discussed the issues facing carers, including stress and burn out.
In August 2023, the Staying at Home in Regional South Australia program was launched. This government-funded program focuses on enabling people living with dementia and their carer to experience quality respite care, wellbeing and engagement opportunities with targeted support. As part of the program, group retreats provide a period of respite, education and support regarding continuing to live at home caring for a loved one with dementia.
On 21 March 2025, Resthaven Community Respite Services welcomed around 50 clients and their carers to Toorak House for a celebration of Resthaven’s 90th anniversary. Guests shared in a delicious Devonshire Tea, followed by viewing Resthaven's special history film, and enjoying a sing-along to some classic songs.
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