The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is managed by the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) and its primary function is to fund services for the disabled. Disabled people first need to register with the NDIS, which can be done via their website, then you are eligible for funding for a wide range of support services that include the following:
- Functional capacity assessments – The NDIS-approved occupational therapist can carry out functional capacity assessments to ascertain the level of support a person needs. This would be the responsibility of a local team of occupational therapists who can handle psychosocial assessments and supported independent living assessments.
- Assistive technology assessments – These assessments help disabled people to acquire supportive technology that helps them to lead a better life. This might include special seating and wheelchair use, mobility scooter use and training, prescriptions for specialist bedding, hoists and support rails.
- Manual handling training – Educating people about lifting objects can prevent personal injury.
- Therapy & rehabilitation services – This includes home therapy and rehabilitation, helping people to move around the home and how to deal with new disability. Mental health therapy is another service that the NDIS-approved occupational therapist can provide.
- Cognitive assessments – Cognitive retraining might be required after an accident or serious injury and a qualified occupational therapist can carry out cognitive assessments. Here is some useful information about recovering from a stroke.
- Stroke and neurological rehabilitation – Suffering a stroke can lead to a person having to relearn basic skills such as speaking and cognitive abilities. This can be devastating to an able-bodied person who suddenly has cognitive issues.
- Dementia care and planning – When a person first suffers from dementia, it can cause many issues in their life and with the help of an occupational therapist, a plan can be compiled and implemented. There are techniques that really do help in day-to-day life and the healthcare professional helps the patient in many ways.
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Home alterations
When a person becomes disabled, it can make everything more difficult and, in some cases, there needs to be some alterations made in the home. The occupational therapist is very experienced in assessing living space with mobility and safety in mind and with NDIS funding, the work can be scheduled.
Assisted independent living
It is the goal of every occupational therapist to assist the patient to become more independent in and around the home and NDIS registered disabled people can contact their local healthcare provider to receive the assistance they need.
Of course, every person is unique and the occupational therapist adopts a holistic approach, taking everything into account when making assessments and planning for the future. A team of specialists create a personal development plan with the patient and their carers and this plan has feasible objectives that everyone works together to achieve.
The NDIS is a government initiative to support disabled people and improve their lives and there are many healthcare providers in Australia that are NDIS approved.
