What to Do If Your Needs Change While Using Independent Living Options

Change can happen at any time and so do not have a time frame attached to it and so does aging, NDIS has provided a scheme; Independent Living Options (ILO) focused on providing valuable support, especially for the aged and individuals with disabilities, helping them enjoy independent lives. However, aging comes with more demands and an ILO provider is expected to be able to work with evolving disability care based on the participant’s needs, and reassessing ILO support needs is important. Knowing when to adjust your ILO plans is important notwithstanding the changes in health, personal reasons, or other factors. There are steps to take before changing ILO needs, and they include;

Adjusting NDIS ILO plans for individuals using ILO services can be carried out in different aspects and services. Changes like physical health, increased need for assistance with daily activities, or even changes in working pattern; remote or hybrid. Recognizing that your needs can determine when to modify ILO services to ensure you continue to receive the appropriate support.

Understanding that your needs are changing and your ILO services need reassessing requires you to take steps to ensure your services meet your growing needs. Here’s what to do:

• Reassess Your Current Situation

Assessing the obvious changes and identifying the loophole in your current ILO arrangements is the first and most important step. This way you take note of the specific areas where changes need to be made. This should be a self-reassessment that would be reported to your ILO provider. 

• Consult Your Support Coordinator or ILO Provider

After identifying the current changes contacting your NDIS support coordinator or ILO provider is the next step. Your support coordinator plays a vital role in adjusting NDIS ILO plans and can help guide you on the available options based on your new needs.

Family and friends can also be part of your support network and having them closest to you can be helpful when making decisions about the evolving disability care services you need.

• Request a Review of Your NDIS ILO Plan

When you notice that your needs have changed and communicate these changes to your support coordinator, this is when to modify ILO services. You may need to request a formal review of your NDIS plan to reflect the evolving disability care you require. The process of NDIS plan review also known as plan reassessment allows participants to modify their NDIS plans and adjust their support services. ILO plan reviews can be requested at any time or during scheduled review periods, but ensure to regularly communication with your ILO provider from time to time.

During the review process, it is important to clearly state your new needs and how it helps your living style in relation to the changes to maintain your independence and well-being. It is also important to note that when reviewing your ILO plan, your relevant medical documentation or assessments are ready to support your demand.

• Check Out Alternative Support Services

When your ILO needs change, you might need to look into other services that might be the perfect fit for your new requirements. The service of a private caregiver other related services and amenities that provides easy movement and comfort like an auto-wheel chair, or access to community-based support is needed. Modifying the same ILO plan over time without an improvement or using the services of the same ILO provider may not provide you with the needed services you want. Trying out other available options, including changing your ILO provider and living arrangement from shared to individualized could provide you with your desired services. Discussing the possible options with your support coordinator can help determine the next step to take.

• Monitor and Evaluate Your New ILO Plan

After successfully adjusting NDIS ILO plans and putting in place a new ILO plan, ensuring constant monitoring of how well the services meet your needs. Performing regular evaluations will help services align the provided services to be tailored to align with your evolving needs and health status.

Regular communication with your ILO provider and support network not only provides advice for further adjustments if necessary but also gives room for easy decision-making.

Conclusion

With the changing ILO needs, a proactive approach and regular communication with your ILO provider and NDIS coordinator is the key approach to meeting your evolving disability care. Reassessing your current state, consulting your support coordinator, and modifying your ILO plan is necessary if you want to continue to receive the support you need to live independently and achieve your personal goals.