Frequently asked questions
Q What is Anam Cara House?
Anam Cara House is a community based-project arising from an identified need for palliative respite care for the people of the Western Region of Victoria. Anam Cara House Colac is a proposed 6 bed community hospice that will provide short term “home-like” respite accommodation for persons with a life threatening illness.
Q Where is it located?
Anam Cara House is situated eight minutes to the south west of Colac, at 50 Forans Road, Barongarook West on an elevated 3.2 hectares of land with glorious panoramic views of Colac and the South Western district.
Q What will be offered at Anam Cara House?
A choice in short-term palliative respite care in a high standard of specialised hospice accommodation.
Personalised care will be offered to guests and families in home-like and tranquil surroundings.
Q What Staffing is available for me?
There will be qualified nursing staff to attend to Anam Cara House guests. Assistance will also be available from dedicated community volunteers and guests’ own doctors/community nurse will be able to attend if required.
Q What are the benefits?
As well as overnight and day- stay respite, Anam Cara will offer day activities, information, education,
complementary therapies and bereavement care as required.
Q Who will benefit from this service?
(i) People of all ages with a life-limiting illness who require short-term accommodation and care – either day stay or overnight.
(ii) The carers of guests will benefit from the support and time-out provided for their loved one accessing local respite care at Anam Cara House – hopefully enabling them to continue home-care.
(iii) The community at large – and guests and families in general via shared supportive experiences, positive interactions and important opportunities for communication and information – for guests, families, volunteers and the wider community.
(iv) Benefits regarding the impost on the well- being of carers alongside a choice in place of local respite care.
Q What will guests pay to stay at Anam Cara House?
There will be no charge to stay at Anam Cara House however voluntary contributions from guests will be gratefully received and are tax deductible.
Q What progress has been made to date?
An outstanding property has been acquired on the outskirts of Colac. (A solid brick home of some 100 sqs. built around an attractive internal courtyard and set within tranquil grounds and gardens). As at December 2007, fully paid out with monies contributed from community donors including our Foundation Members.
Q When will it be operational?
Following fundraising for the refurbishment of the house to include dedicated guest rooms and disabled access bathrooms, it is hoped that Anam Cara House will open as soon as possible in 2010.
Q How will Anam Cara House be funded?
Funding is being sourced across the community: via applications to Federal and State Government ($200,000 has now been firmly committed by the Federal Government towards our refurbishment) ; Philanthropic Trusts, the establishment of a Bequest & Giving Programme ; corporate and private contributions; donations and community fundraising. A Foundation Fund has also been established with the target of raising $3million dollars – the interest from which will ensure the ongoing viability of day to day operations at Anam Cara House Colac Anam Cara House is endorsed as a Tax Exempt Charity and has full deductible gift recipient status.