Caring for someone with disability can be physically and emotionally tiring. Support from family, friends and community services is important.
Older people can develop a disability as they age or have one as a result of an illness or accident. Other disabilities can be lifelong.
An older person living with a disability's needs can change quickly or over a longer period, even if they've had a disability for a while. Sometimes they might need more intensive supports, or different supports than they needed before.
Talking to the person you care for, or their medical professionals about their needs, preferences, and goals can help figure out what support they need and if this has changed.
Support for older people
Supports for older people with a disability can include:
- home maintenance and modifications, such as repairs, garden maintenance, and installing handrails, and ramps or grip mats
- assistive technology, such as a walking frame, adaptive cutlery or a raised toilet seat
- allied health, such as occupational therapy, dietitian services and physiotherapy
- respite care, which lets you take a break while someone else looks after the person you care for
- the National Equipment Database, which has details about products and equipment to help manage disabilities in daily life.
The older person’s aged care assessment will determine the services for which they are approved, including if they need products, equipment or home modifications.
Apply for an assessment to identify what government-funded services they may be eligible for.
Depending on their assessed needs, they may be approved for services through the Commonwealth Home Support Program or the Support at Home program.
If the older person you care for is a National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) participant, the supports they can get might be different. Talk to your disability support provider about what supports you can get. An older person cannot access the NDIS and in-home aged care at the same time.
Read about the different aged care services available for older people with disability.
Australia's aged care services are designed to support the needs of older people. It is not meant for people younger than 65. Learn more about support for younger people in aged care.
Disability Gateway
The Disability Gateway assists people with a disability, their families and carers to find and access trusted information and services. The service is open to all Australians with disability, whether they are a National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) participant or not.
You can visit the Disability Gateway website or call 1800 643 787 for more information.
Carer Gateway
Carer Gateway is a useful source of information and services for carers and people who live with a disability. It can connect you to planned and emergency respite and information about disability and ageing services.
It also support you in your caring role with peer support, training, and opportunities to connect with other carers.
You can call Carer Gateway on 1800 422 737 for general support and 24/7 emergency respite. You can also visit their website.