Families and carers provide quality help and support for people living with disabilities. They are often the greatest advocates for people with disabilities providing them with both practical and emotional support needed to live full and happy lives.
While this can be rewarding, caring for a loved one can be physically, emotionally and mentally taxing - for both carer and patient. This makes NDIS Short term accommodation and respite care so important.
What is Short Term Accommodation and Respite?
Respite care and short term accommodation (STA) provide carers with the opportunity to take a break from their caring responsibilities while ensuring their loved one still receives the necessary care and support.
Respite care not only provides carers with much-needed rest but also provides people with disabilities a break in everyday routine and the chance to engage with new people and experiences. This alternative care can be provided at home, in a specialised facility during the day or overnight and longer periods of time. Additional STA includes:
Respite, SIL and The NDIS
The National Disability Insurance Scheme places focus on people with disabilities, their goals and providing them with the resources they need to live as independently as possible. However, they do recognise the key role informal careers provide their loved ones.
As with any NDIS claim, this kind of support is funded if deemed "reasonable and necessary". The term "respite" care has been used for many years but is one that the NDIS has moved away from. This can make it difficult for carers and people with disabilities to access this kind of support. As such it is important to be aware of a key NDIS terminology- Short Term Accommodation and Assistance (STA)
Much like respite, this refers to temporary support away from usual arrangements and daily care. STA includes non-typical days and short stays at specialised facilities.
Levels of Respite Under NDIS
There are three levels of STA and respite service under the NDIS that helps determine the level of support required by families and carers.
Level 1: Between 7 to 14 days per year to allow families or carers who provide the support most days to attend key activities relevant to other members of the family
Level 2: Between 14 and 28 days per year as part of a strategy to build future independence
Level 3: Allows 28 days per year where families and carers provide the support most days but their loved one is experiencing severe behavioural issues or requires intensive support.
In addition, depending on the circumstance higher levels of assistance is available.
Accessing Respite Care
If respite and short term accommodation is something that would be beneficial for you and your carer, and it is one of your goals to be more independent, Sapphire Support is here to help.
Sapphire Support is an NDIS provider that offers tailored support plans to ensure you receive the respite and short term accommodation that is best for you and your goals.
If you are unsure about the current amount of funding under your Core Supports category, the team at Sapphire Support can assist. For more information or to discuss your individual needs, get in touch today.
