NDIS Personal Care and Daily Living Support: What Help Can You Receive?
Everyday tasks can become difficult when disability affects your mobility, energy, coordination, communication or ability to manage certain routines independently.
That doesn’t mean you should have to give up your independence.
The right support can help you manage everyday activities while maintaining your dignity, privacy and choice.
If you’re looking for NDIS personal care in Adelaide, it is useful to understand what personal and daily living support can involve and how it can be tailored around you.
What is NDIS personal care?
Personal care support involves assistance with personal activities that a participant may have difficulty completing independently because of their disability.
The type of support required can vary considerably.
One participant may need minimal assistance with a particular routine.
Another person may require more regular support.
The important thing is that the support should be based on the participant’s individual needs and approved NDIS supports.
Personal care should remain personal
Personal activities are exactly that — personal.
That means dignity matters.
A good support worker should understand that receiving assistance does not mean giving up your privacy or control.
Where appropriate, you should be involved in decisions about how support is provided.
Your preferences matter.
Your routine matters.
Your communication style matters.
And your comfort matters.
What can daily living support include?
Depending on your circumstances and NDIS plan, daily living support may assist with everyday routines and personal activities.
This could include areas such as:
- Personal routines
- Getting ready for the day
- Everyday activities at home
- Meal-related routines
- Household activities
- Establishing daily routines
- Developing practical life skills
- Community access
- Maintaining independence with appropriate support
The exact support provided should be discussed with your provider based on your individual needs.
Support should encourage independence
There is a major difference between doing something for someone and supporting someone to do something.
For example, if a participant is able to complete part of a routine independently, the support worker may provide assistance only where needed.
This can help preserve existing skills and encourage confidence.
Sometimes progress means doing an entire task independently.
Sometimes it means being able to complete one additional step without assistance.
Every improvement matters.
What if you need help with household tasks?
Managing a home can involve a long list of everyday responsibilities.
Cleaning, organising and maintaining a household can become challenging when disability creates barriers.
NDIS household-task support may assist with eligible household activities according to the participant’s needs and plan.
Again, the approach matters.
Where appropriate, support can involve participation rather than simply taking over.
A participant may be able to complete some tasks while receiving assistance with others.
Daily living support can also build routines
Routines can make everyday life easier.
A predictable routine can help with:
- Starting the day
- Preparing meals
- Managing household responsibilities
- Remembering important activities
- Preparing for appointments
- Planning community activities
Support workers can provide practical assistance and encouragement while helping participants develop routines that work for them.
What does person-centred personal care mean?
Person-centred care means the support is adapted to the person.
Consider two people who both require help with a morning routine.
They may have completely different preferences.
One person may prefer a quiet start to the day.
Another may like conversation and encouragement.
One may be able to complete several parts of their routine independently.
Another may need more direct assistance.
Treating them identically wouldn’t necessarily be person-centred.
The better approach is to understand the individual.
How to choose an NDIS personal care provider in Adelaide
If you’re comparing providers, don’t be afraid to ask questions.
Ask about dignity and privacy
How does the provider make sure personal support remains respectful?
Ask about consistency
Will you have opportunities to build a relationship with regular support workers?
Ask about communication
Who do you contact if something doesn’t feel right?
Ask about training
What training and induction do support workers receive?
Ask about your goals
How does the provider help you maintain or develop independence?
These questions can tell you a lot about how a provider actually works.
Personal care should support your life, not define it
Receiving personal care is one part of life.
It shouldn’t become the thing that defines you.
You remain a person with interests, relationships, goals, preferences and ambitions.
Good support makes room for all of those things.
It can help you manage the practical aspects of everyday life so you can spend more time focusing on the things that matter to you.
NDIS personal care and daily support in Adelaide
We Support & Care Services is an NDIS registered provider based in Parafield Gardens, serving Adelaide’s northern suburbs.
Our registered support areas include personal activities, daily tasks and shared living, household tasks, community participation, travel and transport, life skills development and Supported Independent Living.
Our approach is based on empathy, respect and empowerment.
We take the time to understand the participant and provide support around their individual needs, preferences and goals.
If you’re looking for NDIS personal care in Adelaide, we’re happy to have a conversation about the support you’re looking for.
You deserve support that respects who you are and how you want to live.