Are you waiting for magic that makes your elderly life or disability more comfortable? Yes, Assistive Technology (AT) is no less than magic for the elderly or people suffering from a disability.
It is particularly amazing because you can get funded for AT through National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) based on your eligibility.
Now, you must be wondering about NDIS Assistive Technology. What is NDIS, and how can the eligibility have determined? Without much to do, we shall discuss AT alongside its eligibility.
Assistive Technology (AT)
The persons aged 65 or over and disabled mostly need long-term care or medical, social, and personal care services.
Nearly there are 5.5 million physically disabled seniors in 1985, amongst which 1.3 million are in-home care. In 2020, each of these outlines is double to 10.1 million and 2.5 million, respectively.
As long as possible, the seniors prefer to live independently in their own houses. The issue is to find the ideal way to curb costs while permitting debilitated seniors to live independently without any risk. And Assistive Technology (AT) is one of the auspicious solutions.
Unlock New Possibilities: NDIS Assistive Technology Explained
Gain a clear understanding of NDIS Assistive Technology and how it can revolutionize the lives of seniors and individuals with disabilities. Learn about eligibility criteria and the process of accessing funding for life-changing AT solutions.
What is Assistive Technology (AT)?
AT is a device whose objective is to aid disabled people, aging people, and senior citizens. The core purpose of AT is to improve or maintain individual independence and functioning.
It assists people in living productive, dignified, healthy, and independent lives.
By 2030, two billion-plus populations globally are estimated to acquire or require AT devices.
AT devices are most often needed by kids or adults with disabilities, seniors, and people with chronic health conditions.
What is Assistive Technology in NDIS?
The NDIS offer proper funding for seniors, kids, and adults with disabilities, which helps them to perform their daily tasks independently and reach their goals.
Besides, care services, personality-building programs, and therapy are also funded through a category called Assistive Technology.
According to the World Health Organization, Assistive Technology in NDIS is a system or equipment that aids users in accomplishing different activities that they cannot perform.
To meet the purpose of flexibility, the AT developers so far have created limitless AT tools while the research still continues.
The goods of AT include mobility scooters, lift chairs, walking frames, power wheelchairs, shower chairs, hospital beds, etc.
These items help keep the person comfortable and safe, as well as enable them to do more work independently.
What is the classification of Assistive Technology items?
NDIS uses four levels of AT which range from simple to very complex. You just need to figure out which AT solution is right for you.
Level 1: Basic Assistive Technology
You can get Basic Assistive Technology at a very low cost, an average of around $1500. It is the lowest risky device and easy to set up and use. You can buy it easily in local stores and online stores. For level 1 AT, NDIS plans come under your core budget.
The adaptiveness of the device: It can be used daily under minimal guidance. The device is indeed functional, holding a low limitation for the lone, non-slip bath mat, medication and
management, signature guide, non-electronic magnifiers, adapted grip devices, large print calendar, tactile dots, an alert system with flashing lights, and large print labels.
Level 2: Standard Assistive Technology
One can get this AT from AT suppliers off the shelf. At this AT level, you need to test and trial the tools before buying them, and you may want assistance with it. You may need help or any adjustment on devices under the standard assistive technology.
The adaptiveness of the device: It is a little more advanced than the level 1 AT device, which includes: shower tools, bath seat, video magnifier, over toilet frame, OCR reading machine, Laundry & washing line adaption, handrail, kitchen trolley, personal alarm, a slide sheet, adjustable height upright seating, slide board, and chair raisers.
Level 3: Specialized Assistive Technology
It has many similarities to standard assistive technology, but level 3 frequently needs modifications to meet the requirement of the users.
It means this level needs help to use it. You need to search for the ideal AT device which is suitable for your situation. To get this, you need a written quote: supply, delivery & set up, and ongoing modification and repair costs.
The adaptiveness of the device: You need sustainable help for level 3 assistive devices. Under this level, very advanced devices lie, including communication devices, hearing devices, specialized vision, continence items, Environment control units (ECUs), the adaption of kitchen and bathroom fitting, sleep support systems for non-complex postural needs, specialized car seats, strollers, vehicle modifications, low to medium level pressure mattress and cushions, adjustments in the bathing and toileting devices.
Level 4: Complex Assistive Technology
To get this, you need written quotes, including supply, delivery, and set-up with the ongoing modifications and repair costs. For this level of AT devices, you need the help of specialists, with ongoing support from specialized training. It is better to contact AT supplier and Occupational Therapist (OT) to find a suitable AT supplier for you.
The accessibility of the Device: Power wheelchairs with integrated control, highly configurable manual wheelchairs, AT motor vehicles, electronic mobility AT for blind people, bathing devices, adaptive positioning & seating system for complex posture, high-level pressure cushions, and pressure care sleep systems, Prosthetics, cochlear implant speech processors, (complex needs)hearing accessories, Complex house modifications(it may need council permission), specialized ICT access, (complex and initial)devices for deafblind, anal devices for continence patience and intravaginal bladder supports, Multifunction complex control (ECUs), Enteral nutrition.
Embrace the Future: Harness NDIS Assistive Technology
Embrace the possibilities of NDIS Assistive Technology and empower yourself or your loved ones to lead a more fulfilling and independent life. Discover the range of innovative AT options available through the NDIS.
Guidance to NDIS Assistive Technology
Support Budget of NDIS
Seniors or people with disabilities will face issues performing daily tasks normally and they may have various requirements. To fulfil their requirements, National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) funding will help you with their scheme.
Your funding will depend on your needs to acquire your goals, additionally to live independently and normally with your friends and family.
Under the NDIS funding plan, there are three main types of budget to support the elderly and disabled people according to individual needs:
Core Support Budget
The core Support Budget provided by NDIS is a flexible plan that includes four classifications of support. It includes:
- Consumable: Daily used tools
- Daily Activities: help with self-care activities
- Assistance with Social and Community Participation: help to engage in social and recreational activities
- Transport: Mobility
You can normally use core budget funds assigned against one support category to buy support under another category until the fund has been allocated aside for a particular reason, like periodic payment for transport or any core budget line product types that are:
- Reimbursement
- Specialized disability accommodation
- Housing adjustment support
- Prepaid: Therapy support or school transport support
- Assistance in a shared living arrangement
In these conditions, the finance within a category must only be used for a particular reason. For more details about the core budget and access to your NDIS plan.
Capacity Building Budget
There are 8 classifications under the capacity-building budget provided by NDIS.
The user can opt for how to spend these funds to pay for any permitted support within its category. But one is not allowed to move funding from one category to another.
The categories supported by capacity-building budgets are:
- Choice & Control: Plan management
- Everyday Task: therapy to develop your capacity to perform and participate
- Employment: Counselling and assessment related to employment
- Health and Wellbeing: Needed exercise advice and activities.
- Home Living: appropriation accommodation to support daily life
- Lifelong Learning: mobilization for education
- Relationships: positive activity support plan to decrease behaviours of individual
- Social and Community Participation: Life skill development and training, including public support and training.
Capital Support Budget
This support budget is for the AT or modifications of your house and is based on quotes from suppliers. Capital within budget can only be used for a particular reason and cannot be used to fund other devices.
Two classifications lie under the capital support budget:
- Assistive Technology: Including devices for recreational inclusion, personal care, communication, and mobility.
- Home modifications: Rail in the bathroom
NDIS doesn’t’ provide support in some specific kind of situation
According to the NDIS Act, the support that will not be capitalized by NDIS are:
- If the person is not related to the disability or seniors.
- If related to another community service or government
- If there is a possibility of harming the individual
- If one is getting another funding or service
Empowering Independence: NDIS Assistive Technology for All
Explore how NDIS Assistive Technology empowers seniors and individuals with disabilities to regain control of their lives. Learn about the diverse range of AT solutions and how they can promote greater independence, mobility, and quality of life.
How can you get funding for NDIS Assistive Technology?
To get funding from NDIS Assistive Technology, you will need to complete an assessment of assistive technology.
You must complete an assessment to ensure that both you and the NDIS completely understand which AT device is more suitable for your requirements.
Steps to get funding from NDIS for your AT:
#Step 1: Before Getting Support
Before getting support from NDIS, you need to go in for an Occupational Therapist. As per NDIS, your OT will handle your assessment and let the NDIS know which kind of AT support you need from them.
Your OT will also aid you through the other quotation procedure and can help with any doubts you have.
#Step 2: Get a Quote
OT will help you to contact the AT device suppliers and get a quote. After getting quotes, you can submit them to the NDIS with any related documentation from your therapist. Every state has its procedure for submitting quotes, it is better to ask your therapist for help in this phase.
#Step 3: Get an Invoice
After submitting quotes to NDIS, contact your AT supplier and ask for an invoice for the device. Then you need to submit that invoice to NDIS for further process of payment. If you have hired a Plan manager, then you can submit an invoice so, and then they will process it correctly.
Tips: Don’t worry! After receiving your AT and funding from NDIS, there will probably be some additional costs for the modifications and maintenance cost of the device. You will get funding for repair and maintenance and hire a temporary device while you wait for yours to arrive from suppliers.
Final Words
You can get AT as per your requirement, it ranges from simple to very complex and intends to solve the daily issue of the person with a disability or the elderly.
An assessment conducted by the NDIS will help you to get a suitable device and determine the funding level you are eligible.
For the four-level AT or any home modification requests, you may require submitting a report from an AT assessor and quotes for the related device or modifications.
Let us help you with this procedure; please contact us for more information
