Where do you begin when someone needs support after an acquired brain injury? Perhaps rehabilitation has come to an end, or you’re starting to look beyond clinical care and understand what ongoing assistance might be available. You may simply be trying to work out which services could help with everyday life and where to find them.
There isn’t one answer that fits everyone. An acquired brain injury can affect different abilities, and the support someone needs will depend on their circumstances, what they can manage independently and what they would like help with. For some, that might mean assistance with personal care or household tasks. For others, it could involve getting out into the community or exploring suitable living arrangements.
If you’re looking into NDIS support Brisbane, understanding the available options is a good place to start. The NDIS may fund disability-related support for people who meet its eligibility requirements, with funding determined by individual needs and the applicable criteria. Knowing what the scheme can cover, which services to consider and what to look for in a provider can help you make more informed decisions.
What Is an Acquired Brain Injury?
An acquired brain injury (ABI) is damage to the brain that occurs after birth. It can happen for several reasons, including a stroke, a traumatic head injury, an infection or a lack of oxygen reaching the brain.
The effects aren’t the same for everyone. One person might experience changes in memory or concentration, while another may have difficulties with movement, communication or emotional regulation. Some people experience a combination of these changes.
This is why it helps to look beyond the diagnosis itself. Understanding how the injury affects a person’s abilities, routines and goals gives a clearer picture of what kind of assistance may be useful.
Depending on individual needs, this might include help with:
- Personal hygiene, dressing and grooming.
- Preparing meals and managing household responsibilities.
- Organising appointments and following daily routines.
- Getting to appointments or accessing community facilities.
- Maintaining social connections and enjoying hobbies.
- Practising everyday skills and working towards greater independence.
It’s also worth distinguishing disability support from medical treatment. Doctors and other healthcare professionals are responsible for clinical care and rehabilitation within their respective roles. Disability support workers, on the other hand, can assist with agreed everyday activities and follow relevant professional guidance.
Source: Healthdirect’s acquired brain injury information
Acquired Brain Injury and the NDIS: What Do the Numbers Tell Us?
NDIS data offers some insight into the experiences of people with an acquired brain injury who receive disability support. It also helps put the discussion into context.
According to the National Disability Insurance Agency’s June 2023 acquired brain injury dashboard, 18,045 active NDIS participants had an acquired brain injury recorded as their primary disability. At the time, there were 610,502 active NDIS participants overall.
The same dashboard reported that 79% of participants aged 15 and over with an acquired brain injury said the NDIS had helped improve their choice and control over their lives at their latest reassessment.
These figures relate to NDIS participants, not everyone living with an acquired brain injury in Australia. They are also historical figures from June 2023, rather than current participant numbers.
Source: NDIA acquired brain injury data
What NDIS Support Is Available in Brisbane After an Acquired Brain Injury?
Having an acquired brain injury doesn’t automatically make someone eligible for the NDIS. The scheme has specific access requirements, and eligibility depends on individual circumstances.
The NDIS generally requires evidence of a permanent impairment that substantially affects everyday functioning, along with other disability, age and residency requirements. The person’s impairment must also mean they are likely to need NDIS support throughout their lifetime under the disability access pathway.
For eligible individuals, NDIS support Brisbane may help address disability-related needs through different types of assistance. The options available will depend on the person’s circumstances, goals and approved funding.
1. Personal Care Support
Personal care can involve more than physical assistance. Depending on how an acquired brain injury affects someone, they may need help with showering, dressing, grooming or maintaining personal hygiene. Others might manage these tasks physically but benefit from prompts or help organising their routine.
For example, someone may be able to dress themselves but find it difficult to organise the steps involved in getting ready each morning. A support worker could help them establish a manageable routine while allowing them to complete as much as possible independently.
The level of assistance should reflect what the person actually needs. Privacy, dignity and personal preferences matter, and support should never mean taking over tasks the individual can comfortably manage themselves.
2. Daily Living Support at Home
Household responsibilities can involve quite a bit of planning. Shopping, preparing meals, keeping track of laundry and maintaining a routine all require different skills.
For someone experiencing memory, concentration or mobility difficulties following an ABI, some of these activities may require additional assistance.
Daily living support may help eligible participants manage everyday tasks and remain involved in running their own home.
Depending on the person’s needs and approved funding, this could include preparing meals, organising groceries, completing household tasks or practising practical skills.
Imagine someone who finds it difficult to keep track of several chores at once. Rather than having everything done for them, a support worker might help break the tasks into smaller steps and work through them together. Over time, the person can continue practising the skills they are comfortable developing.
The aim is to find a balance between providing useful assistance and allowing people to make their own choices.
3. Community Participation Support
Being able to spend time with friends, attend appointments or take part in a favourite activity can be an important part of everyday life.
However, someone living with an acquired brain injury may need assistance to access these activities. They might find planning an outing difficult, need help getting around or prefer having someone accompany them.
Community participation support may help eligible NDIS participants access suitable activities and maintain social connections.
What this looks like will vary. One person might want support attending a local community event, while another may prefer visiting family, pursuing a hobby or getting out for a regular activity.
Start with what the person enjoys and wants to do. The support should fit around their interests and goals, rather than expecting everyone to participate in the same activities.
4. Assistance with Everyday Routines and Skills
An acquired brain injury can sometimes affect memory, attention and organisation. Familiar activities may take more planning, or a person may need to find a different way of approaching a task.
Support workers may help eligible participants follow established routines, organise activities and practise everyday skills within the agreed support arrangements.
Simple strategies can be useful. A written checklist, a calendar or a visual reminder may help someone keep track of appointments or work through a morning routine. The most suitable approach will depend on the person’s preferences and any guidance provided by relevant professionals.
These strategies aren’t about expecting someone to do everything independently. They’re about finding practical ways to support the person in their everyday life.
Read more: When Might Someone With a Brain Injury Need Complex NDIS Support?
Is Supported Independent Living in Brisbane Suitable for People with an Acquired Brain Injury?
Supported Independent Living in Brisbane (SIL) may be an option for eligible NDIS participants who need significant, ongoing assistance or supervision with daily activities at home.
SIL funding helps cover support workers who assist or supervise participants with everyday tasks. This can include personal care, preparing meals, household routines and developing daily living skills.
SIL is generally intended for people who need a substantial level of assistance at home, potentially including overnight support. It isn’t automatically the right choice for everyone with an acquired brain injury.
For instance, someone who needs regular help with personal care, household tasks and supervision throughout the day may wish to explore SIL. Another person who needs occasional assistance could be better suited to a different home and living arrangement.
The decision depends on the individual’s support needs, circumstances and whether the requested funding meets NDIS requirements.
It’s also important to understand what SIL covers. Funding is for eligible disability-related support, not ordinary living expenses such as rent, groceries or household utilities.
If you’re considering this option, discuss your needs and future living goals with your NDIS contact or support coordinator, where applicable. They can help you understand what information may be needed when exploring suitable arrangements.
How Can You Choose the Right NDIS Disability Support Brisbane Provider?
Finding a provider isn’t simply about choosing a service from a list. You need to know whether they can offer the kind of assistance you’re looking for and whether their approach suits the person receiving support.
When comparing NDIS disability support Brisbane providers, there are a few practical things worth checking.
Individualised Support
Ask how the provider learns about each participant’s needs, routines, abilities and preferences. Support should be tailored to the individual, rather than following the same approach for everyone.
Staff Training and Experience
Find out about staff experience with the relevant support needs. If a person requires specialised assistance, check that workers have the appropriate training and competencies.
Respectful Communication
The person receiving support should be involved in decisions about their own life as much as possible. Ask how the provider communicates with participants, protects their privacy and handles concerns or changes to support arrangements.
Services and Availability
Check whether the provider offers the services you need in your area and can accommodate the agreed schedule. It is worth discussing availability and how support arrangements are managed if a regular worker cannot attend.
Registration and Funding Requirements
Check the provider’s current registration status where registration is required, and confirm that the proposed services align with the participant’s funding arrangements. Not every service or expense is automatically covered by the NDIS.
Taking time to ask these questions can help you understand what a provider offers before making a decision.
How Can Kangaroo Care Help People with an Acquired Brain Injury?
If you’re exploring support following an acquired brain injury, it can help to speak with a provider about the specific assistance you’re looking for.
Kangaroo Care’s website lists brain injury among the conditions it supports and describes services including daily support, community participation, Support Coordination, high-intensity support, community nursing and Supported Independent Living. The suitability and availability of these services will depend on the person’s circumstances and requirements.
You may be looking for help with everyday activities, trying to understand home and living options or simply working out what to ask a provider. Explaining your situation and the kind of support you’re considering is a useful place to begin.
If you’re looking for NDIS support Brisbane, contact Kangaroo Care to enquire about its available services and discuss the next steps.
Talk to Kangaroo Care
Not sure where to start? Get in touch with Kangaroo Care to discuss your support needs, explore the available services and find out which options may be suitable for your circumstances.
Visit www.kangaroocare.com.au to learn more or to make an enquiry.
FAQs
1. Can the NDIS support people living with an acquired brain injury?
Yes, a person with an acquired brain injury may be eligible if they meet the NDIS access requirements. Eligibility depends on their impairment, its effect on everyday functioning, the likelihood of needing lifetime support under the disability pathway, and the applicable age and residency requirements.
2. What support can NDIS participants receive after an acquired brain injury?
Depending on their individual needs and approved funding, eligible participants may receive assistance with personal care, household tasks, daily routines and community participation. Other supports may be appropriate depending on their circumstances and the relevant funding criteria.
3. Can I access personal care support through the NDIS in Brisbane?
Eligible participants may be able to access funding for disability-related personal care when it meets NDIS requirements and is included in their funding arrangements. A provider can explain the services it offers, while the participant’s NDIS contact can help clarify funding questions.
4. Is Supported Independent Living in Brisbane available for people with an acquired brain injury?
SIL may be suitable for eligible participants who need significant, ongoing support or supervision with daily activities at home. An acquired brain injury alone does not guarantee eligibility. The person’s support needs and the NDIS funding decision determine whether SIL is appropriate.
5. Does the NDIS cover brain injury rehabilitation?
The NDIS does not generally fund clinical treatment or rehabilitation that is the responsibility of the health system. Eligible participants may, however, receive ongoing disability-related support that meets NDIS funding requirements. The distinction depends on the purpose of the support and which service system is responsible for it.
6. How do I choose an NDIS support provider in Brisbane?
Compare providers based on the services they offer, staff training, availability, communication practices and ability to meet individual needs. Check registration requirements and confirm that the proposed services align with the participant’s funding arrangements.
Understanding Your Support Options
Working out what support is available after an acquired brain injury can take time, particularly when you’re trying to understand the difference between clinical care, everyday assistance and longer-term living options.
The NDIS may fund a range of disability-related supports for eligible participants, depending on their individual needs and approved funding. Understanding those options can help you decide what to explore and what questions to ask along the way.
If you or a family member is considering NDIS support Brisbane, Kangaroo Care can be contacted to discuss its available services and whether they may suit your circumstances.
Start with the support you need, the goals you want to work towards and the questions you would like answered. From there, you can explore the available options and make a decision that fits your situation.
