The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is a government-funded service that helps people with a permanent disability, mental health condition, or psychosocial disorder achieve their goals.
Along with funding disability aids such as home and workplace modifications, the NDIS also covers disability care services, like those provided by us here at Gracious Australia.
One of the biggest benefits of these services is that they take a person-centred approach, tailoring their assistance to suit your needs and help you live more independently. But how do they do this?
We'll explain exactly what a good disability support team can do for your well-being, and why you should consider investing in their services.
How Does Disability Care Promote Independence?
At the heart of all NDIS services is independence. By avoiding a one-size-fits-all approach, they strive to ensure that all people living with a disability have the independence to make decisions affecting their daily lives, particularly regarding the care they receive.
Here are 4 ways that disability care services promote choice and control in completing everyday tasks and achieving long-term goals:
Empowers Independent Decision-Making
Under the Capacity Building Support Category of your NDIS funding, you are entitled to help from a support coordinator.
Rather than making choices for you, support coordinators give you control over your own care, simply providing you with the tools to make positive, informed decisions. This may include referring you to the best disability support services and making sure that you get the right in-home care for your needs.
They can also help you navigate your NDIS plan and ensure that you are getting the most from your budget. For instance, they may assist you in gaining NDIS funding for supported independent living (SIL).
Whilst they provide disability support services like cleaning, SIL support workers also help you build skills like budgeting and cooking healthy meals, which allow you to make independent decisions regarding your own life.
Supports Skill Building
As part of your care, a good disability support service may help you connect with a mentor. This is a support worker who will help build the skills necessary for you to lead a more independent life.
These skills may be as simple as shopping and meal preparation, or could involve writing a resume, applying for jobs, and preparing for interviews.
Learning new skills can also help to improve your self-esteem, providing a boost of confidence that can help you embark on your dream career path, build strong relationships, or make a real difference in your local community.
Promotes Community Participation
Sadly, 1 in 6 people with a disability experience social isolation.
One of the reasons for this is the difficulties surrounding leaving the house, particularly for those with a physical disability that limits their mobility. In fact, more than a quarter of those with a disability don't leave home as much as they would like.
By resolving some of these issues, disability care helps to improve the inclusion of people with disabilities in many elements of life, including in the local community.
Support workers can assist clients with arranging and using travel services, whether you need help commuting to work, attending a local club, or simply wish to get out of your own home more regularly for a coffee date with friends.
They can therefore help to facilitate the independent social interaction we all desire, in a way that suits your personal care needs.
Encourages You to Adopt a Positive Mindset
By providing you with the tailored disability supports to make your own decisions, build new skills, and participate in the community, care services can help you approach the world with a new lease of life.
A key area in which disability support workers can help is goal setting. Together, you'll discuss personal, professional, and lifestyle goals that you're hoping to achieve, and develop strategies to help you reach them independently.
For example, you may have a dream career path that you want to pursue. An NDIS support worker can set you up for success by helping you pursue relevant further education or training, and provide support along the way.
Knowing exactly what you're aiming for, and how you're going to get there, can give you the positive mindset needed to achieve big things, which may help you gain even more financial, social, and overall independence.
What Impact Do Disability Services Have on Well-Being?
Whether you're seeking respite care, behaviour support, or assistance with daily living, a good disability service should forge meaningful connections with you, and ensure that you feel heard.
During the initial consultation, a support worker will listen to your needs with care and compassion. They will then come up with a care plan that truly supports you to live independently and with higher levels of confidence in your abilities.
This could involve referral to allied health professionals, such as occupational therapy or psychotherapy services, who provide treatment to support recovery and reablement for those living with a disability.
Disability care can also have a hugely positive impact on your social life, reducing the social isolation that often leads to depression, anxiety, and despair.
For example, as we've mentioned, support workers can help you travel more easily, allowing you to stay better connected with family and friends.
Government funding for these services also provides you with better access to your community, so you can join clubs, volunteer, and connect with like-minded individuals who may also be living with a disability.
Along with getting out of the house, companionship disability services can help to reduce feelings of loneliness within your own home. In-home care visits, walks, or simply regular chats over a cup of tea can provide the boost of moral support that empowers you to lead a happier, more fulfilled life.
Could Disability Care Help You Live More Independently?
Here at Gracious Australia, we take great pride in helping those in our care lead the healthiest, happiest lives possible.
That's why our comprehensive range of NDIS approved disability support services prioritise every client's unique needs, empowering those with disabilities, mental health conditions, and psychosocial disorders to be the key decision-makers when it comes to their care.
Whether you require personal care through in-home support, help applying for work, or assistance with learning daily living skills, we provide the support you need to lead a more independent and fulfilling life.
Ready to get started? Simply reach out to our expert team today for more information.
