BCR Flexible Respite in the Shoalhaven - Carer Support & Social Connection

BCR Communities offers Flexible Respite across the Shoalhaven, giving carers the chance to rest, recharge, or take care of personal commitments while their loved one enjoys meaningful social connection, companionship, and support from a trained care worker. Whether it’s a walk, a coffee, or a friendly chat, our respite services help reduce isolation, support wellbeing, and give carers peace of mind.

For Joanne Zamai, caring for her mum Joan has always felt like a natural extension of their close and loving bond. At 85, Joan Marshall is living with Alzheimer’s and lives alone in her home in St Georges Basin. While her other children and grandchildren live further afield, it’s Joanne – just 15 minutes’ drive away – who has become Joan’s main source of support, comfort, and connection.

“Mum doesn’t really talk to other people much – it’s just me. I speak to her or visit her nearly every day.”

For a long time, Joanne took it all on herself, determined to be the one who supported her mum emotionally and practically. Accepting outside help, even in a small way, didn’t come easy.

“It’s hard to ask someone else to care for your mum – to spend time with her, talk to her. That felt like my role,” Joanne said. “There was quite a bit of guilt, I felt like I should be able to do it all myself.”

But as time went on, and travel plans to visit her son in the UK and daughter in Queensland approached, the weight of being Joan’s only regular social contact started to feel heavier for Joanne.

“It hit me that if I was away, Mum probably wouldn’t have anyone to talk to at all,” Joanne said. “Even when I’m here, it’s a lot of the same conversations. I felt she needed more than just me.”

That’s when Joanne turned to Flexible Respite through BCR Communities – a service designed to provide carers with short breaks while offering meaningful connection, support, and engagement for their loved one. For Joan, it means one-and-a-half hours a week with a BCR care worker. While it may seem modest, the impact has been felt deeply by both mother and daughter.

“Now Mum can have a coffee, go for a walk, and just talk to someone different. And that conversation gives her something new to think about. I think it’s really good for her.”

Flexible Respite is tailored around each client’s needs and interests – it could be a chat over morning tea, a stroll in the park, or a visit to the shops – all while giving carers time to rest, recharge, or simply get things done.

Joanne’s instinct to widen her mother’s social world is well supported by research: older adults who regularly speak with a variety of people have been shown to experience slower cognitive decline and better mental wellbeing. A 2021 study in the Journal of Gerontology found that having multiple, diverse conversations each day significantly boosted cognitive performance.

“Talking to someone else gives Mum a fresh perspective,” Joanne said. “She might remember something new, or just feel more mentally stimulated. It also means I can take care of what I need to do knowing someone is there for her.”

For Joanne, there is also the peace of mind of knowing that when she is away from home, a trained and experienced care worker will be keeping an eye on her mother’s overall wellbeing.

“I can now go away and know someone will notice if she’s not herself or if she has not been eating properly. It’s more than just a social visit – it’s a safety net.”

If you’re a carer who could use a break - whether for an hour or a whole day -Flexible Respite can help you recharge while giving your loved one new experiences, social connection, and professional support.

Call BCR Communities on 1300 222 748 or email info@BCRcommunities.com to find out how Flexible Respite could work for you.