Everything You Need To Know About NDIS Respite Service
Australia has transformed disability support by launching the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) to ensure that people needing help with their daily functioning and disability get to establish more autonomy in their lives. NDIS housing accommodates a number of services, out of which respite care is one of the most predominant, as it does not only offer care and support to the patients but also to their primary caregivers and family. In this blog, we will comprehensively explore everything you need to know about the NDIS Respite Services and understand their significance, qualificatory criteria, and their impact on disability support in Australia. What are NDIS Respite Services? Understanding and recognising the important role played by family members and service providers in the life of a person suffering from a disability, the National Disability Insurance Scheme offers Respite Services. Such services are often designed to provide temporary relief to the primary carers of people requiring assistance because of their disabilities. In the place of the primary caregivers, Respite services provide a replacement as support for the person with a disability, so the primary caregiver can relax. If you seek the topmost NDIS provider, Melbourne is the place you should look – you get flexibility in terms of their services, as they can be tailored to the specific requirements of every individual patient and their caregivers. Another appealing factor when it comes to NDIS respite services, is that they can be utilised for just a few hours, or even several days, and they can be at home, in a care centre, or in community housing. During this time, the principal caregivers can take their time to relax or attend to other personal concerns, with assurance that their loved one is in good hands and is well-supported. NDIS Respite Services benefit both the patient as well as their caregiver, as it is only logical that caring for an individual with a disability can get overwhelming and demanding. These services play a key role in providing support to the caregivers by offering them opportunities to rest, in turn fostering a healthier dynamic of caregiving. Eligibility criteria for Respite Care Services under NDIS In order to be eligible for NDIS respite services, individuals need to meet the stipulations decided in advance by the National Disability Insurance Agency. Such criteria predominantly assess the level of disability of an individual, how much it impacts their daily life and functioning, and the degree of assistance they need. These criteria are evaluated for every case. In order to qualify for respite services under the NDIS, the person suffering from a disability must primarily be an NDIS-registered participant. A person can only become such a participant if they satisfy all the criteria set forth by the NDIA related to their functional capacity and the level of support they need. Eligibility for NDIS respite services is also fundamentally based on the need for a temporary break from caregiving – which can arise from the severity of care required, the complexity of disability the patient suffers from, or the personal constraints of the caregiver. The health and welfare of the primary caregiver are also given equal importance when it comes to deciding if a participant qualifies for respite care services under the NDIS. In case the primary caregiver falls short of their potential to provide their absolute assistance to the participant, NDIS respite services may be suggested to ensure that the patient receives sustainable care. If you qualify for the same, utilising NDIS respite services can have a significantly positive impact – Improved well-being of the primary caregiver Being a primary caregiver to an individual with a disability is, needless to say, overpowering. In such situations, NDIS respite services can be a blessing as it allows and empowers caregivers to take time off for themselves and give precedence to their own health and well-being. This, in turn, can considerably reduce the stress and exhaustion such caregivers face, along with also positively contributing to their improved physical as well as mental health. This can help them provide better support and care in the long term. Community building for the participant The NDIS is known for its initiative to build communities that foster a culture of openness, acceptance, and belongingness for people with disabilities. This gives the participants a chance to interact with the community and feel included, reducing their tendency to seclusion. Being a part of such a community can contribute to the personal growth of a participant with a disability, nurturing a positive outlook on life. Concluding thoughts To sum it up, NDIS housing for respite services is an invaluable element in the support system for people with disabilities in Australia. It serves a dual purpose – it benefits the participants by offering them sustainable care, while also providing the primary caregivers with a much-needed break to attend to their own matters.
Caring For A Child With A Disability – Challenges And Choosing The Right Service Provider
Parenting is not easy, but the challenges get magnified when you are parenting a child with a disability (or disabilities). From frequent doctor trips, expensive treatment, and being active 24/7 to lack of socializing, worrisome excursions, and suffering from chronic depression, the challenges of caring for a child with a disability are enormous. In this blog, we feature challenges faced by parents of children with special needs and how the right service provider can be of paramount help. Limited accessibility for special needs One of the biggest challenges faced by families of disabled children is the lack of basic amenities. From ramp access, narrow or uneven footpaths and thresholds, inadequate toilets, or even restrooms and changing places – the list is endless! The limited accessibility isolates families with special children as they cannot visit the places they love. Staggering childcare expenses Raising a child with a disability means lesser income and higher expenses. Unlike other families, where both parents are working and have a sound financial backup, families with special children have limited options. Moreover, medicines, health insurance premiums, and hospitalization costs are regular expenditures that cannot be ignored. However, you can seek help from National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) which provides reasonable support to families with disabled children. You can also visit Services Australia – People with disability for multiple benefits. Fewer adaptive clothing options We still have lesser options for kids’ functional clothes. While there are few sellers of inclusive or adaptive clothing for disabled children online, they aren’t sold in stores or supermarkets. Bullying Children with disabilities are more prone to being bullied. Bullying instances can range from yelling, making fun of kids with special needs, pushing them from stairs, and so on. In several serious cases, bullying can mean life or death to a child with a disability! Thus, creating a safe environment for a child with disabilities is imperative. You can reach out to resources like Australian Human Rights Commission which protects disabled students against harassment and bully. Dealing with such challenges and many more is not easy. Therefore, if you have a child with a disability, we suggest you choose the disability service providers. You must choose the service provider that suits your child and you. While the right service provider is the one that meets your child’s special needs, here are a few tips to identify the best disability service, provider: NDIS-Accredited: As mentioned earlier in the blog, National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) assists Australians suffering from significant and permanent disabilities. So, it is important to check whether the service provider is a registered NDIS provider and honours the scheme. Experience: The disability support provider you choose must be experienced enough to assist your child and meet your goal simultaneously. They should also be able to guide you through their terms and conditions and service agreements, among other relevant details. Customer-centred approach: Pick a service provider that listens and understands your needs and is willing to provide the requisite assistance. Never settle for a disability support provider that focuses more on monetary aspects. Instead, opt for those who genuinely take efforts to help you regardless of the severity of your situation or request. Credibility-check: Seek recommendations about disability support providers from friends, family, your General Practitioner, or your LAC (local area coordinator). You can also read the reviews on TrustPilot, Google, and Facebook to make an informed decision. Conclusion Any disability cannot stop a child from achieving something big in life. With proper care and support, they can live their best lives. NDIS ensures that people living with disabilities in Australia get timely and much-needed support for better living. So, before you finalize a disability support provider scrutinize them well and go for the one that you feel is good. You can contact Cosy Home Care for reputable and specialized services.
Supported Independent Living: A switch in the right direction
Living with a disability or a mental illness can change how you look at the world around you. Most importantly – how you fit into it. A simple option like living independently can be quite a faraway dream, just because of the presence of this disability. But it doesn’t have to be. One of the problems that all of us are faced with today is that we compare our lives to everyone else’s. As encouraging as this can sometimes be sometimes to challenge you to try and do more, or do something new; it can also be quite damaging. You are the only one going through what you are. Don’t ignore your need and goals. How can I live independently if I’m sometimes scared to be alone? If I want to have my own space but occasionally would like to enjoy company? What do I do if I’m happy spending a lot of time by myself but know that I need help with some things? Questions like these are asked more frequently than you think, by people with a disability and without! Supported Independent Living (SIL) could be just up your alley. At Cosy Home & Community Care, we understand how the backstories in our heads can sometimes keep us from making choices that would help put us more in control of our lives. If you do want to live independently, we offer Supported Independent Living (SIL) services that can help you confidently make the switch. Not only are there options for the ways you can adopt SIL, but you will also have a dedicated team of support to help you through the process, whenever you do need it- 24/7. All you have to do is express interest in including Supported Independent Living (SIL) in your NDIS plan at the planning meeting, and we’ll take care of the rest. What kind of Supported Independent Living (SIL) service suits me best? Cosy Home & Community Care knows that uncontrollable circumstances are no reason to accept that this is how it’s going to be. Support through your journey is the main objective that flows through Supported Independent Living (SIL). We offer three main plans under the SIL services, that are as unique as people’s personalities. Even within these options, there is always room to tailor the service of your choice according to your lifestyle requirements and goals. We understand that you should be the one getting the best out of the service you choose. The services provided under the SIL are: Independent Living: You don’t need to change houses to live independently. Our team is available to help you in your own home, through the lifestyle you lead and assist you in learning independent living activities of your choice. You can also avail of this service to learn a new skill like a new way to cook, how to budget, for support to travel and ways to access the community. Shared Living: In this shared independent living option, you get to move into a shared home with people who share interests like you. High compatibility is also a key factor that helps match you to find the right shared living space. In addition to having good company in your living space while still living independently, support is tailored according to the skills you want to develop. In-Home Respite Care: This option allows you to live in your own home with an available team to assist you with whatever you need. You choose the tasks and how long you’d like the team to assist you with them. This option is also designed for people who want to give their personal and family carers a break from how much they help in the house. Breaks are important- for you and the people around you. Skills you can learn with Supported Independent Living (SIL) Availing of any of the options within Supported Independent Living (SIL) will equip you with skills to be able to live fuller lives with more choice. We are always interested in understanding you more to help you better. We also encourage you to step forward with skills you may have in mind that you want to learn and may not be on the list. Household maintenance Budgeting and Finance Management Cooking, cleaning and shopping Using public transport for social and medical appointments Becoming more active in social and recreational activities while developing strong lasting community connections What Supported Independent Living (SIL) can do for me? Making the choice to switch to Supported Independent Living (SIL) with Cosy Home & Community Care can not only equip you with to live with more control over your own life; but also empower you through it. Empowering Independence: You are at the centre of our support programs and they are designed to help you realise how you are the centre of your own life. Regaining the sense of autonomy through your journey not only helps develop skills but enhances the personal elements that go with any activity. Some of these personal elements are ways to communicate, confidence through challenges, openness to new experiences, the ability to try new social and recreational activities, the feeling of freedom, etc. Support and Guidance: Living with a disability shouldn’t become a crutch upon your dreams. We intend our support and guidance provided help you understand that although the way to achieve your dream may need tweaking, the dream never dies- you just change how you want it to live. As you learn to become more independent, you have on your way, experts experienced in different fields to consult and work with no matter what you journey through. We also offer extended physical support for those needing equipment to help function through the day. It is important to remember how this support is an aid, not a barrier to your living. Strong Connection: Sometimes you want to experience something new, but don’t have dare to try it. Sometimes you want to share a part of your lives with people, but don’t know where
There should be more job vacancies targeted at people with a disability
It’s not just the disability that can sometimes make the world seem like too big a challenge to handle, it’s the thoughts that come with living with one. Not only does extra energy now have to be put into something that may come naturally to someone else, but extra energy goes into encouraging yourself that this disability is somehow a gift. Sound familiar? Then there’s this added pressure to deal with other people’s thoughts and behaviour because you have a disability. Through no fault of theirs either, the world simply doesn’t always know the right things to say and do when we’re faced with something different. Having a disability means your needs, thoughts and the way you function take another route as compared to those around you. Don’t get me wrong, this doesn’t mean you don’t share crossroads with people around, it just means the way you thread upon them is different- and neither path is wrong. It’s hard enough to adapt day to day in a world that wasn’t really designed to include all disabilities. This is mainly because the world is still learning, as you are. More and more disabilities seem to be surfacing through time. Evidence of the first ramp ever discovered was back in 1913, but it took the world a heck of a time to realise it could be used to aid people in wheelchairs. It took lesser time for people to realise they could slide down a ramp- that’s just the way our brains work sometimes. Now when it comes to having a job- that’s a whole other ball game. Naturally, there are many things you might wish were different. Also knowing there exists a certain disability and having to interact with that someone are two completely different things – the latter comes with experience. How can we expect people to have this experience if parts of the world like schools and job industries have separated people with a disability and without teaching convenience and resource management? However, this little separation may be reflecting a growing gap in the community. Inclusion is Key Recently, there have been a lot of initiatives by the community to set up businesses that employ staff that have a disability. One such cafe is the All Things Equal, right here in Melbourne. There are also services that help people with a disability find employment. Kudos to the people who recognise the need to change the designs upon which our society functions and make new ones. However, the growing number of people with a disability is way higher than the little initiatives around the place and it can be quite hard and narrow to find employment if you’re one of them. You’re also destined to look for a job through a set channel- in a way told your options. But sometimes, it’s not about having a separate disability-friendly bus; it’s about having buses that cater for people with a disability too (as they rightly do in most of Australia). It shouldn’t be just a dream for this to exist in the job industry as well. Most of the organisations and event environments around have really tried to make their environments disability friendly- they’ve installed ramps, people make way for you and are always willing to help. However, this doesn’t mean that any of these are disability employment friendly. For many places set in their ways, it does become harder to reimagine the way it functions- especially if the business is doing well. However, is doing well good enough for the business industry to overlook a whole sector of the community? This doesn’t implicate starting to hire people with a disability into the systems, but to try and redesign specific roles within an organisation to include them. With any change, we got to start small. Start Small Making positions disability-friendly doesn’t mean opening a position where the job is competed for by people with and without a disability. It means allocating a position specifically for people with a disability in the organisation and side by side redesigning the position through the experience of the person with the organisation; and the organisation with the person. Here’s Why You are creating opportunities on different levels. for people with a disability, for the organisation to experience what it feels like to work together and for the world to experience this as well. With opportunity comes possibility. Possibility to reduce and eventually remove the barriers between people with and without a disability – in the world and in the minds of people. Creating employment. You are broadening the market and spaces available for people with a disability to work in. You never know how great your skill is at something till you discover it. Likewise, someone in a wheelchair might be great with numbers, better than anyone you’ve met but doesn’t know it yet because they haven’t been given the opportunity. You are creating this path for that someone. Creating equality. Don’t wait for the change to become a trend for acting upon it, be it. Inclusion also gives new insight and understanding into a world there isn’t enough research done yet. Here’s how: Designing a position available specifically for people with a disability. Providing training specifically for that role. Many organisations and venues provide training to people without experience. This should be an option for people with a disability as well. On the job training could also open possibility of feedback and insight that was otherwise overlooked. Be realistic with the position available. Studying the role and interviewing the person applying for the position well can help set the position’s requirements better without any over or under expectations. To Cosy Home and Community Care, your disability is one of the many parts of you. We believe in supporting all the other parts to shine, just as we want to support you with your disability.