Around a quarter of the older NDIS participants interviewed were satisfied that the supports funded in their NDIS plans met all their support needs. However, most expressed reservations about the level and type of supports funded by the NDIS. This included insufficient funding for therapeutic supports, home modifications, holidays, aids and equipment, fitness activities and transport.
Aged care system
The funding of disability supports within the aged care sector was considered to be poorer than within the NDIS. Indeed the supports received under the aged care system by the non-NDIS participants interviewed were limited both in scope and quantity. Although two of the respondents had been allocated a more comprehensive Level 4 home care package, these were yet to start due to a lack of available packages.
In order to supplement the services received through aged care funding, most of these respondents were receiving additional disability supports from charitable organisations, healthcare agencies or through self-funding.
State disability schemes
A majority of the non-NDIS participants currently under state disability funding arrangements reported that the level of their funding was inadequate to meet their needs, with no ability to obtain more funded supports. As a consequence these respondents were either paying for additional supports out of their own funds or were foregoing needed supports.
Although I have substantial supports through [state disability], I cough up quite a bit of money to support myself…Paying around about a $1000 a month. That’s for services over and above [state disability] allocation…Some people can say, ‘okay, well I won’t have any care on weekends.’ I can’t do that, I’m dependent on care, three times a day. (OPS01C)
Participation (Social, Economic and Educational), Wellbeing, and Aspirations (Goals)
NDIS
The NDIS was considered to be enabling older people with disability to obtain supports which could address their individual needs and goals. This included improved access to supports which assisted social, educational and community participation.
The NDIS is focused on independent living, community participation and building community participation. It’s about your place in the community and being viewed as an active contributor. (OPS08S)
Several respondents described being able to pursue more activities outside the home and had enhanced wellbeing and independence as a consequence.
What I like best about the NDIS? They help provide the things that I need to be an independent adult. And they help, they help provide the things that make me stronger and able to do more. Which is really, really good. (OPS04PWD)
The financial situation of some NDIS participants and their families had improved as they no longer had to fund certain supports out of their own pocket.
Before you used to have to battle to get funding, and now it seems to be given to you. So, it’s more readily accessible, and not many questions are asked about, ‘Do you really need that service?’ The amount of care we needed, the gardening services, the equipment that we asked for, it seemed they readily accepted it. (OPS19PWD)
Non-NDIS funding schemes
In contrast, funding constraints outside of the NDIS (and particularly within aged care) were perceived to prevent older people with disability having adequate access to supports which promoted their economic and community participation. Concerns were also raised that a lack of funding for social activities within the aged care sector was leading to the social isolation of people with disability as they aged.
Under the NDIS people might be accessing supports to help them engage in employment in the future, under aged care that really isn’t part of the deal because you’re not expected to have employment prospects in the future…It’s much more just helping you to stay at home. (OPS05S)
Despite these acknowledged constraints in the levels and types of disability supports funded outside the NDIS, some of the non-NDIS participants reported satisfaction with the supports they received.
The positive impacts of these supports included being able to live at home, pursue chosen activities and have increased social contact. The ability to access disability supports was also seen as contributing to improved wellbeing (both physically and psychologically).
My fatigue, as I said to you earlier, is not good. But by having these people come and help me get to and from the shower and things in the morning, it’s helped that because I’m not struggling as much therefore my pain level doesn’t shoot up high. That is where it’s made it a lot easier for me. (OPS07C)
Transitions
Many of the older NDIS participants reported a lack of awareness that at 65 years they could decide whether to continue with the NDIS or move into aged care. Several respondents believed that the aged care system was now part of the NDIS while others had assumed that they would automatically be transferred into the aged care system on reaching 65 years. A lack of available information to aid informed decision-making about this transition was reported.
Despite this lack of awareness, there was general consensus among participants that they would be better off staying in the NDIS. This was due to perceptions that the aged care sector did not have an adequate understanding of disability, could not provide appropriate supports and had long waiting lists. Also respondents were reluctant to switch systems and go through eligibility and assessment processes for another funding body.
I will stay with the NDIS…Up here there’s many months’ waiting list for an assessment, an ACAT assessment. And then you know, the services are terrible and in fact because the NDIS offers much more of an ethos of having meaning in your life and doing the things you want to do and with the necessary supports to enable you to do that, it’s much more individualised…whereas with aged care you’re really at the mercy of the organisation. (OPS17PWD)
