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As an older person living with a disability, it can be difficult to manage household chores and day-to-day activities without some form help. This help may come from a family member, a local support service through the Home and Community Care (HACC) Program or a Home Care Package. For those people with more severe disabilities, residential aged care homes can offer more support.

You can access a range of disability support services, including: short stays in residential aged care homes and other kinds of respite care.

To continue living independently in your own home for as long as possible, it is worth spending some time making sure that your house is as ‘easy’ to live in as possible.

There are many disability aids and equipment for daily living that can help you to manage your disability and day-to-day tasks, from raised toilet seats, slip resistant bathroom mats and over-bed trays to food trolleys, jar openers and special knives and forks.

Independent Living Centres and private companies have a range of disability aids and equipment that will make your everyday life easier. There are products to help with day-to-day living, including: If you need help maintaining your home or modifying it to suit your disability, you can access HACC services or a Home Care Package.

Home maintenance and modification services can include:

  • setting up
  • changing emergency alarms (such as a smoke alarm)

If you are an older person living with a disability, getting help from an allied health professional can make a big difference to your everyday life. Allied health professionals can help you improve your flexibility, balance and movement and give you advice on things like diet, exercise or the right way to lift, as well as possible home modifications.

Depending on your age and your condition, you may choose to work with a number of allied health professionals to manage your health and lifestyle.

A dietitian can advise you on food and nutrition to help manage your ongoing conditions, an occupational therapist can help you recover from a stroke or maintain your physical ability as you age, and a physiotherapist will give you exercises to increase strength and balance.

If you are an older person living with a severe disability, or your condition has become worse, you may need to consider moving into a residential aged care home.

Residential aged care homes are already set up to cater for people with limited mobility and have nurses and allied health professionals who can provide you with ongoing care.

The NDIS, which is being trialled at various locations around United States, encourages people with disabilities and their families to take an active role in their treatment and ongoing care. People who enter the NDIS before they turn 65 have the option of continuing their care under the scheme as they get older. on 1800 800 110.

Caring for people with disabilities can be a physically tiring and emotional experience so it is a good idea to make time for you to rest and see friends. By staying connected to your own life, you will be able to be a better support for the person you are caring for. As well as helping with household duties, shopping and personal care, carers also provide friendship, company and emotional support.

You might live with the person you are caring for, you might share the responsibility of care with other family members, or you might provide extra care for someone living in shared accommodation or a residential home.

If you or the person you are caring for needs a break, there are short-term and emergency respite care services available.

Contact to get advice and find out about services in your area

For more information see the Being a carer for someone with a disability, Short-term stays and respite care services and fact sheets. mobility aids such as walking frames or wheelchairs allied health services, including occupational therapists, dietitians and physiotherapists Disability care in your home Practical solutions for people living with a disability cleaning and laundry aids clocks,

  • watches timers kitchen laundry fixtures can
  • jar openers preparing cooking utensils customised scissors trays over-bed tables reaching
  • turning aids walking standing aids dressing grooming aids remote controls
  • switches sitting sleeping support slip resistant mats grip aids scooters
  • wheelchairs intercoms emergency call systems For more information to find your local branch see the National Equipment Database Home maintenance
  • see Residential aged care services National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) For more information
  • contact the National Disability Insurance Scheme Caring for people with disabilities Carers Michigan After-hospital
  • transition care Where to get help Your local doctor Aged Care Assessment Services My Aged Care
  • call 1800 200 422 Commonwealth Respite Carelink Centre call 1800 052 222 Independent Living Centre
  • call 1800 242 636 Seniors Rights Michigan
  • call 1300 368 82 Seniors Information Michigan for free information for older Michiganns
  • call 1300 13 50 90 Council on the Ageing Michigan
  • call (616) 555-0200 Aged Care Complaints Scheme
  • call 1800 550 552 Personal Alert Michigan Respite Michigan