Fernlea House receives Commonwealth funding from the National Carers Respite Program to provide respite for carers in our catchment area. Fernlea has a target of disadvantaged people and provides respite for carers who look after people with life limiting illnesses.

The house provides its program 4 days per week. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.

Only six guests per day can be accommodated in the day respite program, as they all have high needs, and a key feature of Fernlea is to treat everyone as a person, not a patient.

Each day the guests are looked after, like guests in your home, so they can leave the rest of their lives (including their illness) at home, and not worry about anything, just relax and enjoy themselves with the activities, company, fun and laughter, as well as a lovely lunch.

This leave carers free of their responsibilities for the day, so they can have a break and attend to other matters in their life.

Fernlea in the Valley is funded by the Helen Macpherson Smith Trust and a grant from the Shire of Yarra Ranges, and is open on Wednesdays. Eight guests can be accommodated.

In 2011 Fernlea reviewed its Carer Support Program and now provides regular visits to the Carers by the Clinical Services Coordinator to ensure their needs are being met.

Comments from our guests

Guests who come to Fernlea usually cannot think of enough superlatives to describe their experience. Recently when asked what they thought was good about Fernlea they responded with comments such as.....

“ A million things – it is really good to come in and forget about being sick for the day”

“ I enjoy and look forward to coming every week. The Nurses and volunteers are friendly and kind –we would be lost without them”.

“You get to do things you don’t normally do at home. Fernlea makes you feel important.”

“ Its good to do craft and things for coordination, and doing new things without any pressure.”

“I enjoy the bus trip and people are very caring. Makes me forget things that have happened at home.”

“The gardens are wonderful and the Chef is great. We get pampered and looked after. I am very happy – Reiki is fabulous.”

“Everything is great- people, food, counselling, comp. Therapies, Memoir, Ferns – just EVERYTHING.”

Carers are offered support in a number of ways. Through access to information, regular Newsletter and invitations to relevant forums and activities, through their Care Plan and regular contact with staff from Fernlea.

“ I am happy to leave mum here knowing she is in good hands and enjoying herself.”

Fernlea is currently reviewing the Carers Support Program to make it even better in 2011.