General Health Support Varies for NDIS While participation in the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) has doubled since last December and costs remain well on track, according to the latest NDIS third Quarterly Monitoring Report – the National Commission of Audit says the timetable could put its financial sustainability at risk. The audit makes recommendations to extend the ‘peak ramp-up period’, which is 2015-16 to 2018-19, by another three years to conclude a roll-out in 2022-23. Also in the recommendations is for more of its work to be outsourced, such as eligibility assessments, to other organisations, and that the chief executive of the agency report directly to the federal minister rather than through a board to a council. Meanwhile at a recent federal parliamentary committee investigating the implementation and administration of the NDIS, advocates voiced concerns the scheme is delivering different funding outcomes for people with similar disabilities and needs. The report – which covers the three months to March 3, 2014 – also shows that average package costs have fallen in the quarter, following improvements in January, which provided more guidance about reasonable and necessary levels of support. National Disability Insurance Agency Chairman, Bruce Bonyhady, says while there is work to be done, satisfaction levels among participants remains high. “The NDIS is on budget and is growing steadily. That’s welcome news given how crucial the NDIS is to our community and our economy,” he says. “This (Quarterly Monitoring Report) shows we are using the experiences gained in the trial sites to build a better NDIS, with better outcomes for Australians with disability and their families.” To date, the largest disability groups across the trial sites are autism, intellectual disability, Down syndrome and cerebral palsy. Key findings in the report from the four trial sites in New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania 6,434 participants have been found eligible for the NDIS, with 5,414 having an approved plan by the end of March. This is double the number at the end of December. The average package cost is now $34,000, down from $40,500 at the end of December, and below the funding expectation of $35,000. Around $107 million of support will flow to participants in 2013/14 – well within the funding envelope of $152 million for 2013/14. Satisfaction among participants is high, sitting at 1.66 on a scale of -2 (extremely unsatisfied) to +2 (extremely satisfied). “There will obviously be quite a bit of variability in the data from quarter to quarter as different groups are phased into the NDIS. But these results show it’s steady as she goes in the NDIS trial sites, although of course we’ve still got lots more work to do,” says Bonyhady. The Productivity Commission found that the NDIA will add around 1% to gross domestic product when fully operational. Prior to the NDIS, spending on disability by all government was growing at 8% per year, after inflation. Accountants PricewaterhouseCoopers estimate that by 2035 the cost of disability services without reform will be $20 billion more than the annual cost of the NDIS. Did you know? The NDIS is expected to provide support for 460,000 people by 2019-20, its first full year of operation. The cost of the scheme at that time is expected to be $22.2 billion, including contributions from state and territory governments. Sources: carersqld.asn.au; carersvictoria.org.au; health.gov.au; smh.com.au; theherald.com.au; Financial hardship ••50% of primary carers are on a low income and many find it hard to cover living expenses, save money or build up superannuation. ••The extra costs of caring can be enormous. Caring families often have to find money for extra expenses like heating and laundry, medicines, disability aids, health care and transport. Health and wellbeing ••Caring can be emotionally taxing and physically draining. Carers have the lowest wellbeing of any large group measured by the Australian Unity Wellbeing index. ••Carers often ignore their own health and are 40% more likely to suffer from a chronic health condition. Some health problems, like back problems, anxiety and depression, can be directly linked to caring. ••Many carers are chronically tired and desperately need to refresh with just one night of unbroken sleep, a day off or an extended period with no caring responsibilities. Social isolation and relationships ••Many carers feel isolated, missing the social opportunities associated with work, recreation and leisure activities. ••The demands of caring can leave little time for other family members or friends. ••Carers often have to deal with strong emotions, like anger, guilt, grief and distress that can spill into other relationships and cause conflict and frustration. Disadvantage ••Many carers miss out on important life opportunities, particularly for paid work, a career and education. ••Caring can take the freedom and spontaneity out of life. Emotions like anger, depression, anxiety, loneliness, loss and grief are common. While family and friends can provide important support, the advice is to talk with an objective professional who is not emotionally involved. A Federal Government initiative is assisting in reducing stress and improving health and wellbeing. The National Carer Counselling Program provides coping skills and strategies, including coping with a major deterioration in the wellbeing of the person requiring care and can help with transition issues relating to moving to a residential care facility, assisted accommodation or to another primary carer in the community. The counselling also extends to bereavement and loss for carers following the death of a person for who support has been provided. Counselling is available via phone, face-to-face and with group counselling programs. According to Carers Queensland, counselling also helps carers to deal with overwhelming and confusing feelings; make sense of the experiences as a carer; work out needs and solve problems; manage conflict, stress and other emotional factors that make caring more difficult; build resilience and cope with change; and improve mental, emotional and physical wellbeing. pm To make an appointment or to access the telephone counselling service, call the Carers Advisory Service on 1800 242 636 between 9am and 5pm weekdays. (Free call from local phones, mobile calls at mobile rates) pindaramagazine.com.au Pindara Magazine 51
Pindara Private Hospital Magazine - Issue Two
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