Understanding NDIS high intensity care: Who qualifies and what’s included

People living with disability need more than daily help. They need care that is skilled and safe for their health needs. This is what NDIS high-intensity care offers.

The NDIS helps disabled people live better. High-intensity care from the NDIS helps them get needed help at the right time.

But many individuals don’t understand this and often ask: “Who can get this care? And what kind of help is included?”

In this guide, we’ll explain it in simple words so you know what to expect and what change it can make.

What is high intensity care?

High-intensity care means support that requires special training. It is not just about helping with food or moving around, but doing so safely.

High-intensity care gives individuals the help they need so they can live well. And have more control over their daily life. 

Who qualifies for high intensity care?

Not everyone on the NDIS will need high-intensity care. It is for people who have complex health needs that cannot be managed with standard support.

You may qualify if you need:

• Constant help with medical equipment, like a feeding tube.
• Help with health issues such as catheter care.
• Skilled support for wounds, pressure care, or injections.
• Behaviour support when there is a high level of risk.

The NDIS looks at each individual’s condition before deciding. They will ask for medical reports from health professionals. These reports show why high-intensity care is important. It also shows the support that will keep the person safe.

What services are included in high intensity care?

The NDIS high-intensity care covers support tasks that need special skills and training. The aim is to make sure participants are safe and well cared for.

Here are the main services included:

• Complex Bowel Care

Some people need help with bowel regulation. This can be because of a health condition or injury. This care may require the use of special tools or medicines. It must be done to avoid pain, infection, and other health problems.

• Tube Feeding

Tubes are used to feed those who can’t eat or drink on their own. Trained support workers make sure the person gets the needed nutrients. They also keep the individual safe during the process.

• Tracheostomy Care

This means cutting a small opening in the neck that helps a person breathe. The tools and the opening need careful cleaning. Trained support workers make sure the tube is cleaned. They also make sure the person can breathe without any issues.

• Ventilator Management

Some people need this to help them breathe. Trained workers set it up and monitor it. They also know how to act if anything goes wrong.

• Catheter Care

A catheter helps people who can’t urinate on their own to do that. Support workers help with the catheter. They clean and monitor it to reduce infections.

• Subcutaneous Injections

Certain health issues needs require regular injections under the skin. Only trained workers can safely give these injections and monitor the person for any side effects.

• Seizure Management

People with epilepsy need help when a convulsion happens. Trained workers keep the person safe and know how to act fast when it occurs.

• Pressure Care and Wound Management

Some people can get pressure sores or have wounds that need daily care. Trained support helps with cleaning and checking healing to prevent infection.

How NDIS ensures safety in high-intensity care

NDIS high-intensity care involves serious health tasks. This is why the NDIS has set rules to make sure support workers are trained and care is safe.

• Training for Support Workers

Support workers who give high-intensity care are trained specially. This teaches them how to act and deal with emergencies.

• Care Plans

Every participant has a care plan. This plan explains their needs, what support is required, and how it should be given. Workers use this plan as a guide to keep care consistent and safe.

• NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission

The Commission checks that providers follow strict standards. They make sure workers are qualified, and they investigate if something goes wrong.

• Ongoing Monitoring

Care is not set and forgotten. It is checked often to see if the person’s needs have changed. This ensures they always get the right level of help.

Benefits of high intensity care

The NDIS high-intensity care is more than just medical support. It helps the lives of people with complex needs and their families.

• Safety and Peace of Mind: When trained workers provide care, families know their loved one is safe. Tasks like tube feeding are handled with skill, reducing risks.
• Better Health and Well-being: Regular care reduces any issues. Wounds heal quickly, and infections decrease. This leads to a healthier life.
• More Independence: When health is handled well, people can focus on their lives. They can enjoy hobbies and join social activities.
• Relief for Families: Caring for someone with complex needs can be hard. High-intensity care takes some of the weight off the families and carers. This allows them to rest.
• Better Quality of Life: It improves self-worth. People feel respected and able to live with more comfort.

How to access high-intensity care through NDIS

The process of getting NDIS high-intensity care may feel difficult at first. The following section breaks it down into simple steps you can follow:

• Talk About Your Needs: When you meet with your NDIS planner, explain your health needs. Be clear about the need for trained support, like tube feeding or wound care.
• Provide Medical Evidence: NDIS decisions are based on proof. Ask your doctor, nurse, or allied health professional to write reports. These reports should explain why you need high-intensity care and what risks are involved if you don’t get it.
• Planning Meeting: During your planning meeting, the NDIS will look at your evidence and discuss how to include high-intensity care in your plan. They will ask about how often you need this care and who should provide it.
• Funding in Your Plan: If you qualify, funding for high-intensity care will be added to your plan. This money goes to cover skilled support workers and providers who can safely meet your needs.
• Support Coordinators Can Help: A support coordinator can help you. They help with paperwork and explain the process. They will also connect you with the right providers.

NDIS high-intensity care gives people with high needs the right help to stay safe and live well. It provides trained help, funding, and peace of mind for the individuals and their families.