INFORMATION QUESTIONS
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
We offer a wide range of services, including Personal Care, GP visits, Private Appointments, Transport, Social Outings, Medication Prompts, Domestic Assistance, Gardening, Accommodation and Meal Preparation. Our team of bilingual staff is proficient in various languages and appreciates cultural diversity, ensuring that clients' needs are understood and met effectively.
At AD Healthcare, we prioritize our clients' needs, and our support care is available 24/7, tailored to meet their individual requirements.
Will I have the same carers visiting me each time?
Establishing a positive relationship with your carers is crucial. We make an effort to assign you with carers you prefer, fostering a friendly carers. However, there may be instances when your preferred carers are unavailable due to sickness or scheduled leaves. If such a situation arises, we will only arrange for a substitute after obtaining your agreement.
Will my carer come at the same time each day?
It relies on your care plan and specific needs. If your preferred caregiver is available when you need them, we will certainly make the necessary arrangements.
I don't have a Home Care Package. How much does it cost if I pay out of my own pocket?
Each individual case is unique. During your free care assessment and consultation, your Care Manager will develop an individualised Care Plan with you and provide you with a Budget for required services.
I have a Home Care Package, what can I spend my Home Care funding on?
You can spend your funding in three areas:
Care (i.e. personal care, meal preparation, equipment)
Support (i.e. gardening, transport, social outings)
Clinical services (i.e. nursing and allied health)
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Medium Term Accommodations (also known as MTAs) are transitional accommodations for NDIS participants preparing for more permanent accommodation.
The NDIS funds medium Term Accommodation for a maximum of 90 days for eligible participants. This policy prevents people with disabilities from being forced into aged care facilities or waiting too long in hospitals.
What are the eligibility requirements for Medium Term Accommodation (MTA)?
Participants with an NDIS contract are eligible to apply for MTA if they need temporary transitional housing before their more permanent home is ready.
Who funds for the MTA for the participants ?
As part of their National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) plan, MTA funding covers only housing that is also taken from Core Supports.
Consequently, they may not be able to access other essential person-to-person supports because their core supports are depleted.
Can we increase the MTA support ?
No, not really. For the NDIA, it would be beneficial to increase MTA funding prices for those with high and complex needs so that they can afford housing options that are appropriate for their needs.
Who provides MTA in home care service?
Several NDIS registered support providers work in partnership with Advance Care to deliver the highest standard of care to tenants living in MTA properties. As part of a MTA arrangement, this service is generally provided.
Assisting with, or supervising, daily living tasks that can be funded through the NDIS. There is no allowance for rent or daily living expenses in MTA arrangements. These costs will need to be paid out of your own pocket.
What about the NDIS supports I may need during my MTA?
Personal care supports are not included in your NDIS funding. As mentioned earlier, it does not include your day to day living costs like Internet, food or electricity. However, you can use the funding in your plan for other supports during your MTA. For example, you can still use your funded personal care supports in your MTA.
Your NDIS planner may also speak to you about needing any other additional supports to ensure you receive maximum support for your needs.
What if I may need the MTA for more than 90 days?
NDIS usually funds Medium Term Accommodation (MTA) for up to 90 days or three months. However, in exceptional situations, NDIS may consider your funding for longer than three months. More importantly, evidence is to be provided for such circumstances. For example, you are waiting on your home modifications, and the builder has provided you with an ETA of 120 days. With complete proof of evidence, NDIS could fund 120 days of your Medium-Term Accommodation.
STA is a way of providing respite care that allows both you and your carer to have a break or a change of scenery.
It’s a broad term that covers various types of STA support and also includes respite care. STA enables you to experience living away from home in a supportive environment for short periods of time.
STA could look like:
- One-on-one short-term care where you are paired up with a support worker for a period of time that suits your particular needs. This can be spent in your home or out in the community participating in local activities including camps.
- Group short-term options match your needs with other people who may have similar needs and interests and enjoy participating in a group respite activity.
- Overnight or weekend facility-based support where your needs and interests align with shared STA facilities.
While STA services are often delivered in a group-based facility, some organizations provide STA as additional support in your own home. In some cases, the provider might book an apartment at a hotel.
STA isn’t just about the accommodation, it also involves the support you receive while staying there.
What are the benefits of STA?
A short stay away from home can help you :
- make new friends and meet new people
- Try new activities.
- Enjoy a change of scenery.
- Step outside your comfort zone.
- De-stress and recharge.
- Increase independence.
Many STA providers offer capacity-building group activities as part of your stay, such as art therapy sessions, group fitness activities, or day trips.
By staying in STA, you’re treated to a break from routine while your informal support network gets some time for themselves.
Taking a break from your carer is beneficial to both of you as it can help maintain positive family and carer relationships. STA is also a great way for older carers to get a break and recharge as they are more likely to have health issues of their own.
Planned regular stays away from home can also help increase your independence as you transition to Support Independent Living and moving out of home.
How does STA funding work under the NDIS
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) funds ‘Short-Term Accommodation and Assistance’ under the Core Support category ‘Assistance with Daily Living’ (Category 1).
STA funding includes all basic expenses in a 24-hour period related to the service including:
- Accommodation in suitable facility
- Personal care and support (including overnight)
- Food
- Activities you and the provider agree to
The NDIS usually funds up to 28 days of STA per year. There is some flexibility when it comes to using your allocated STA days. For example, you might want to use it in two blocks of 14 days, or for one weekend a month.
The amount of funding you can receive depends on the level of support you require.
For example, if you have very high support needs and your spouse is your primary carer, you may receive the full 28 days of STA funding in your NDIS Plan.
Or if you have mid-level support needs and want to build your independence before moving out of home, the NDIS may provide enough STA funding for a night away from your parents each month.
Generally funding is for a group price, unless there is evidence you require individual support because of your disability. This means you may share supports with other people unless you need individual support because of your disability.
How to get STA in your NDIS Plan
Like with any support, the NDIS will fund STA if it relates to one of your goals outlined in your NDIS Plan.
These goals might be 'preparing to live independently', 'learning new life skills', or 'making new friends'.
You will need to supply any evidence that makes it easier for the NDIS to understand why it’s reasonable and necessary for you to receive STA.
This could include formal documentation from an Occupational Therapist or other professional, as well as a letter from the people providing informal support, explaining why they (and you) would benefit from a break.
If you need longer term accommodation or at-home support, other options such as Supported Independent Living are more likely to be included in your plan.
Read more about how the NDIS determines whether STA is reasonable and necessary for you on their website.
Where can I find STA providers ?
The process of finding the right STA setting to meet your needs can be overwhelming. Especially if you and your carer need to take a break or you are being discharged from a stay in hospital and need to find accommodation that will ensure you are looked after.
There are many specialized STA providers in each State. These range from small homes to larger, hotel-style facilities and ‘day-center’ settings. Each offers different services and supports to their guests. Take your time to research what’s available and which STA providers meet your specific support needs.
Note that some organizations will only provide STA to adults, others only to children, and some offer services to both.
Your Support Coordinator, Local Area Coordinator (LAC), Early Childhood Partner or planner can help you explore the best STA options and providers for you.
Respite care offers an opportunity for individuals with disabilities and their caregivers to take a break or experience a change of environment. It serves as a substitute care arrangement when the regular caregiver is unavailable.
Respite care can be accessed through various means, including:
- Informal care provided by friends or family members (not funded by the NDIS).
- Formal care delivered through paid in-home services or center-based services (possibly funded by the NDIS).
- Support options like joining a new community group (possibly funded by the NDIS).