More than 445,087 Australians are living with the effects of stroke. Despite stroke being a cause of disability in Australia, only 1.4% (5,935) of active NDIS participants have stroke as their primary disability.
Getting government assistance for stroke victims
Aged care funding eligibility for stroke
If the person is over 65, they may be eligible for aged care funding. Aged care support at home can be accessed through the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) or a Home Care Package.
You may be eligible for a Home Care Package if you are 65 years or older (50 years or older if you identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander), are living at home, and need assistance to do the things you used to be able to do yourself.
Aged care funding assessment for stroke support
The Assessment Eligibility Checker on the My Aged Care website is a handy tool to check if you’re eligible for a Home Care Package assessment. Once it’s clear that you are eligible, an ACAT assessment will be conducted by the Aged Care Assessment Team. An ACAT assessor — likely a nurse, social worker, or healthcare professional — will typically visit your home to carry out the assessment. Ensure that you are prepared for the assessment.
NDIS funding eligibility for stroke
If you or someone you know has experienced a stroke – and is under 65 – you may be eligible for NDIS (National Disability Insurance Scheme) funding. You must also:
- Be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or Protected Special Category Visa holder
- Live in Australia
- Need disability-specific support to complete daily life activities.
The NDIS may provide funding for services, equipment, and support so that the person who has had a stroke can live a fulfilling and enjoyable life. Eligibility for NDIS funding rests on factors including what your disability is, whether it’s temporary or permanent, and how it impacts your life.
To be eligible for NDIS stroke support, the disease or medical condition you experience as a result of a stroke must cause “permanent impairment” (physical, intellectual, cognitive, neurological, visual, hearing or psychosocial), resulting in significant disability.
NDIS funding is allocated across 3 areas:
- Core Supports: To support activities of daily living
- Capital Supports: An investment for assistive technologies, such as equipment and home modifications
- Capacity Building Supports: Support to build skills and independence.
NDIS assessment for stroke funding
The amount of funding provided by the NDIS differs for each individual. It’s based on the person’s needs and goals. To ensure you get the best possible support, it’s important to clearly define your capacity and functional challenges. The NDIS accepts several Assessment tools:
- The Modified Ranking Scale measures the degree of disability or dependence in daily activities.
- The Motor Assessment Scale is usually completed by occupational therapists or physiotherapists to assess everyday motor function (fine and gross motor) in people who have suffered a stroke. It is performance-based, and the best of three attempts at a task is recorded against a seven-point scale.
- The Stroke Impact Scale is a self-reported questionnaire that asks about impairments and disabilities caused by stroke, as well as how stroke has affected a person’s quality of life.
- The Unmet Resource Needs helps identify the resource needs of family caregivers to reduce negative outcomes after stroke.
Using government assistance for stroke support
Once your application for aged care or NDIS funding has been approved, you can connect with independent support workers on Mable to start scheduling support services.
Learn more about the types of support you can receive on Mable.
Stroke can lead to a range of challenges, from restricted movement and paralysis to difficulties with speech and memory, swallowing, hearing, and eyesight. When the outcome of a stroke is severe, the impact on family and carers – as well as the person – can be significant and long-lasting.
Aged care and NDIS stroke support options
Once you have NDIS funding or a Home Care Package, you may be eligible to receive certain types of support.
You may receive funding for support from support workers with:
- Personal care, including showering, toileting, dressing, and grooming
- Help with daily household tasks such as meal preparation, cleaning, and light gardening
- Assistance with travel and transport
- Assistance with participation in community and social activities.
Learn more about the types of support you can receive on Mable.
You may also receive funding for supports by specific healthcare professionals and assistive technology and aids:
- Workplace and employment help (excluding aged care clients)
- Post-stroke therapy support
- Purchase and use of post-stroke aids or equipment
- Mobility equipment
- Home modification design and construction.
What if you're not eligible for NDIS or aged care funding?
If you’re not eligible for NDIS or home care funding for stroke care, you can still pay privately for support through Mable.
By paying privately for your support services, you control the exact support you need, when and where you need it, and who provides your support. Additionally, since you’re connecting with support workers directly, you can negotiate a price that works for you both.
FAQs
Who pays for care after a stroke?
This depends on whether you are eligible for NDIS or aged care funding. If you are eligible, you can use your funding to book support. However, if you aren't eligible, you'll need to pay yourself.
How can I get financial help after a stroke?
We've created two helpful guides for people who have had a stroke and believe they may be eligible for NDIS or aged care funding. Check out our guide to accessing Home Care Package funding or how to apply for the NDIS.
Does the NDIS support stroke patients going through rehabilitation?
The NDIS does not fund:
- Medication
- General medical and dental services and treatment
- Specialist services
- Hospital care
- Surgery
- Rehabilitation.
Is having a stroke classed as a disability?
A stroke itself is not a disability. However, a stroke may cause disability, as it may result in impaired motor function, mobility, and cognitive challenges.
What support is available for stroke victims?
Independent support workers on Mable can help you navigate life after a stroke. They are experienced in providing different support services, such as personal care, social support and domestic assistance, nursing care, support with exercise, transport services, and much more.
What disabilities can result from a stroke?
The most common disabilities that result from stroke include:
Paralysis and challenges with movement
Speech challenges or difficulty understanding language
Thinking and memory issues
Sensory disturbances
Mental health challenges.
Discover the warning signs of a stroke and how to help reduce the risks of stroke.
The information provided in this article is general information only and based on current information at the date of publication. In addition to considering the information shared in this article, Mable encourages you to conduct your own research and seek independent advice about your eligibility for NDIS and aged care funding.
