Disabled over 65s face ‘huge issue’
Labor has set the National Disability Insurance Scheme as its prime policy focus for this year; but it will reportedly exclude anyone with a disability over the age of 65 from receiving its benefits. Forced to rely on aged care services, disability advocates say it will prove inadequate to cope with specific care requirements for people with a disability.
Labor has set the National Disability Insurance Scheme as its prime policy focus for this year; but it will reportedly exclude anyone with a disability over the age of 65 from receiving its benefits.
Forced to rely on aged care services, disability advocates say it will prove inadequate to cope with specific care requirements for people with a disability.
Motor Neurone Disease foundation chief executive, Rod Harris, believes the issue is especially debilitating for those who suffer from the neurological disease, as it can strike at any age and requires a high level of support and services.
“People who acquire their disability over the pension age should not be consigned to aged care. They should be able to access the services they need to address the impact of their disability, just as those under pension age will be able to,” Mr Harris tells The Border Chronicle.
With many people over pension age still working and contributing to their community, support will ultimately become necessary.
“For those who acquire a disability post pension age, this is a huge issue. While aged care services may be appropriate for many, some need more than the limited number of hours that age care can provide,” Mr Harris says, adding whatever their age, people need
the same services and support from community, health and disability services to “retain and maintain their independence”.
The scheme was officially adopted at the ALP national conference last month.
