Aged Care and NDIS: Supporting Older Australians with Disabilities
Australia’s Aged Care system is designed for older Australians, generally aged 65 and over (or 50 and over for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people). It is meant to support older people to remain independent and live safely at home or in residential care, if needed. For those in the aged care system, integrating NDIS supports can significantly enhance their care and well-being.
How the NDIS Supports Older Australians in Aged Care
Every participant in the NDIS has a personalised care plan that includes financing for the services and supports that best meet their individual requirements. With the NDIS, older Australians may continue to live independently and with dignity, whether that means receiving mobility aids, help with everyday chores, personal care support, or therapeutic services.
Overlap in Services: There can be overlap in the services provided by NDIS and Aged Care, particularly when it comes to home support, personal care, and therapy. As people age, their needs often change.
For older Australians with disability, the NDIS can provide support in the following ways:
1. Ongoing Disability Support:
- Personal Care and Assistance: This can include help with daily activities like bathing, dressing, grooming, and mobility support.
- Specialist Disability Services: NDIS-funded services can include therapy, assistive technology, and specialized supports that allow a person with a disability to maintain a higher level of independence.
2. Home Modifications and Mobility Aids:
- Home Modifications: The NDIS can fund changes to the home, such as installing ramps, wider doorways, or bathroom modifications, to ensure the home environment is accessible and safe for older Australians with disabilities.
- Assistive Technologies: The NDIS can fund a variety of assistive devices, like wheelchairs, walking frames, hearing aids, and communication devices, which help improve independence and quality of life.
3. Therapy and Health Supports:
- Therapy Services: For older Australians living with permanent disabilities, the NDIS can fund ongoing therapy services such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, or psychology. These supports help with managing day-to-day challenges and maintaining functional capacity.
4. Complex Needs and Multi-System Support:
- Coordinated Care: Older Australians with complex needs (such as those with both a disability and age-related issues) may benefit from a more coordinated care approach. This can involve having support coordinators work with both the NDIS and aged care services to ensure that the individual receives the most appropriate supports and that there are no gaps in care.
Key Difference:
While the NDIS focuses more on supports to help people with disabilities live independently, aged care is generally more focused on the needs of people who are aging and may need assistance with age-related health concerns like dementia, frailty, and chronic conditions.
Reasons for Using the NDIS by Aged Care Providers
Incorporating NDIS assistance into aged care services benefits participants and improves the overall standard of care provided, according to aged care providers. By tailoring services to each individual’s unique requirements, enhancing freedom, and lowering dependency on institutional care, providers can provide greater results.
To make sure employees are prepared to manage the complex care requirements of elderly individuals with disabilities, providers may access NDIS training and resources. The partnership between aged care providers and the NDIS guarantees that older Australians may have satisfying lives with the assistance they require.