NDIS Support for Aged Care Participants in Melbourne

This convergence of aged care and the NDIS presents a critical opportunity in Melbourne, and more so in Australia, for older people with disabilities not to be left behind with age. While both the NDIS and the aged care system offer vital support to people, they differ in eligibility, service structure, and objectives. It’s a system that can be complicated for older participants to navigate and, in many cases, requires both types of support. But, most of the time, such an understanding of the interaction among different systems guarantees older NDIS participants with appropriate and overall care.

This article will outline how NDIS and aged care services complement one another, the support for older participants in Melbourne, and how to gain access to the best care tailored to individual needs.

Understanding the NDIS and Aged Care Systems

This care plan is formulated for people suffering from permanent and substantial disabilities that will benefit them through support from the NDIS. The NDIS supports anyone of any age; however, it is more precisely targeted towards a younger audience, usually aged under 65 years, who suffer from lifelong or severe disabilities. It equips them with skills to become independent, improve their quality of life, and help them achieve their personal goals.

Aged care services are mainly offered to older people, generally over 65. They tend to be accessed through Melbourne True Care. Aged care support may include daily living support, health support, social support, and much more to enable elders to stay independent and maintain their quality of life at home as long as possible or in residential care settings.

Both systems focus on high-quality care but on different populations. The overlap for older participants with disabilities can be pretty significant, and knowing how to access the right services is crucial.

When You Can Access the NDIS as an Older Person

In Melbourne, if you are over 65 and an existing NDIS participant, you can keep accessing your NDIS funding and services. However, suppose you are over 65 and still need to be added to the NDIS. In that case, you will no longer be eligible for the standard program. In most cases, such persons must apply for aged care services under Melbourne True Care.

However, some older people receiving NDIS support can still access some of the services provided under the NDIS when they turn 65. This is particularly the case if their disability began before they reached age 65 and if they were already part of the NDIS before they aged into becoming over 65.

NDIS Participants Over 65

You can also carry on your NDIS plan if you are over 65 and already an NDIS participant up to when you no longer require it. You will still be able to access services such as:

• Therapeutic supports like speech therapy, physiotherapy, and occupational therapy are also essential for older participants with restricted mobility or cognitive impairments.
• Assistive technology and home modification to enhance independence at home.
• Personal care support and community participation to support social interaction and day-to-day living.

At 65, you might also enter aged care services through Melbourne True Care. Suppose you wish to continue with support from the NDIS. In that case, you will need to work with both the NDIS and aged care services to ensure that there is no overlap in services but rather complement each other in ensuring that you receive the right kind of support.

How Aged Care and the NDIS Work Together

Older NDIS participants may often need to utilise both the funds available under NDIS services and aged care services. To navigate this issue, find out how the two systems complement each other. Where the NDIS focuses on helping people with disabilities live as independently as possible, aged care services will focus more on supporting an individual during his older years, with safety, comfort, and health as paramount considerations.

Here’s how aged care and the NDIS can work together for older participants:

a) Assistive Technology and Equipment

Older NDIS participants will generally require equipment or AT to maintain their independence. In the NDIS, you can access funding for a very wide range of equipment, from mobility aids that might include wheelchairs and walkers to home modifications, including ramps, bathroom modifications, or home automation systems. Aged care services focus more on everyday needs, like preparing meals, cleaning, and personal care.

For example, you could claim NDIS funding for a new wheelchair but use your aged care for home help and respite. These services work in tandem to support your independence and overall quality of life.

b) Personal Care and Support with Daily Activities

The NDIS supports personal care and support services to help people with disabilities manage daily tasks such as dressing, showering, cooking, or any activity. However, when you reach 65 and enter the aged care system, the bulk of personal care services will be covered by the care system itself. There’s some overlap, but the NDIS provider in Melbourne can deliver extra support related to your disability.

For example, suppose you require more assistance than the NDIS aged care package offers in personal care, such as specialist support and services not provided through aged care. In that case, the NDIS can help with this; this may include:

• Assistance in transferring from bed to wheelchair.
• There is help with behaviour management and mental health needs.
• Therapy services to assist with mobility or cognitive processing.

c) Respite Care and Carer Support

Suppose you have a family carer or are cared for by someone else. In that case, NDIS and aged care can offer services providing respite care for your carer to take a break, knowing you continue to have the support needed. NDIS can fund short-term respite care for both its participants and their carers. Aged care services may provide in-home or residential respite care if you stay temporarily in a care facility.

Both offer respite services, but deciding which one will suit you best is up to you. For example, you can use NDIS for actual care needs arising from the functionality of your disability, and Melbourne True Care can provide you with carer respite and general home assistance.

d) Home Modifications

For older participants, installing rails or ramps or even renovating bathrooms to be accessible might be a must for safely and confidently continuing to live independently in their homes. Home modifications related to disability would be funded through the NDIS. 

Major in-home modifications. These can include ramp access into homes for wheelchair users, bathroom modifications, or specialised equipment. In most cases, they are categorised under the NDIS.

How to Access Support in Melbourne

Somebody would require appropriate use of support, and access to support in Melbourne would be needed to know which system each support area falls under and where to apply for certain services.

a) Accessing NDIS Services

You could continue to access your support through the NDIS even if you remained an NDIS participant, provided you turned 65. Overlapping support cannot occur. A discussion of how you could access your support and use both programs together upon turning 65 can happen with your Local Area Coordinator (LAC) NDIS.

b) Accessing Aged Care Services

To access aged care services, you must access Melbourne True Care. There are contact points for older people aged 65 and above who require aged care services by the government. They will assess your eligibility, identify the services you need, and connect you with the providers.

To access our services, you can:

• Don’t hesitate to contact 1800 682 634 or visit our website today.
• An Aged Care Assessment is needed to determine the care you need, whether you qualify for care at home, and whether you need residential care.
• Qualify eligible consumers and select the right providers through the Melbourne True Care network.

c) Coordinating Care Between NDIS and Aged Care

If you are receiving both NDIS and aged care services, then it would be essential to have a Support Coordinator or Case Manager coordinating all of the work that both systems do for you so that there isn’t overlap in services and to ensure you’re getting all the support you require, efficiently and seamlessly.

Conclusion

It has become possible for older Melbourne participants to have access to NDIS services and aged care support. Still, proper differentiation and overlap of the two systems are critical to ensure you get the appropriate support. Whether you are already in the NDIS or are transferring to aged care services, having an open communication channel between NDIS providers and aged care providers allows you to craft proper support based on your unique needs.

Servicing coordination effectively will ensure the older participants remain living independently; it will improve their quality of life by providing all the care arrangements that enhance their well-being and thus meet the need for NDIS or aged care, possibly both.