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There are two schemes that will enable you to access funded support to help you with your day-to-day activities and support services.

Which one you are eligible for will depend on your age.

A summary of these is found below, along with links to their website to keep up to date with current information.

NDIS – For under 65

There are around 4.3 million Australians who have a disability. Within the next five years, the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) will provide more than $22 billion in funding a year to an estimated 500,000 Australians who have permanent and significant disability.

A permanent disability means your disability is likely to be lifelong. A significant disability has a substantial impact on your ability to complete everyday activities.

The NDIS can provide all people with disability with information and connections to services in their communities such as doctors, sporting clubs, support groups etc.

Eligibility

For up to date information on eligibility please visit www.ndis.gov.au/applying-access-ndis/am-i-eligible

In summary, generally you are eligible if you:

Please always verify your eligibility directly with the NDIS.
The information above is provided in good faith and whilst it has been taken from their website, things change and there are often situations that are unclear. 

If you meet the eligibility checklist and complete some questions the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) will then confirm your eligibility.  If eligible you can ask to become a participant in the NDIS by completing an Access Request Form.

See this process flow and gain access to the forms via www.ndis.gov.au/understanding/how-ndis-works. If you don’t have computer access or are not familiar with navigating websites speak with a carer or friend who could do this for you.

You can also call 1800 800 110 to make an Access Request.

You will also be required to provide supporting evidence that confirms your disability. This information will be clarified when you make your access request.

If you need help filling in the form or making the call, you can contact your Local Area Coordinator.

For Warragul and surrounds here are the details of the relevant contact:
Latrobe Community Health Service (Local Area Coordinator Partner)
Phone: 1800 242 696
Email: inner.gippslandLAC@ndis.gov.au

My Aged Care – For Over 65s

If you need some help around the house My Aged Care can help.  My Aged Care is the Australian Government’s starting point on your aged care journey and will enable you to find and access government funded services you may need.

Eligibility is based on factors like your health, how you’re managing at home, and any support you currently receive.

You may be eligible for aged care services if you have:

and are:

To know for sure if you are eligible, you will need to have an assessment.

If you need some help, the My Aged Care team can answer most of your questions over the phone.  Call 1800 200 422.

If you have computer access or someone who can do this for you there is extensive information available at www.myagedcare.gov.au. You can apply for an assessment online, find suitable providers who can support you, understand what government funding may be available and what you may need to self-fund and start managing your services.

Checking your eligibility

If you prefer to complete the eligibility assessment online you can do so here: www.myagedcare.gov.au/assessment/apply-online

This will take you 15-20 minutes to complete.

You can complete the application yourself or on behalf of a family member or friend.

There are three parts. The first checks you are eligible, the second captures your details, and the third confirms who the assessor should call to arrange the assessment. You will need your Medicare card and enough time to complete it.

After submitting your form, you will be contacted by an assessor in around 3 weeks who will arrange a face to face assessment.

Carer Support

There is also extensive information and support for carers through the myagedcare.gov.au website.

Many carers see themselves as a family member or friend who looks after a person they love, not as a carer. This means that they may not think to look – or ask – for help.

If you’re providing a family member, partner or friend with regular and ongoing care and help – without being paid – then you’re a carer. And you can get help and support from the government and other organisations.

A carer may give care for a few hours a week or all day, every day, depending on the level of support needed.

Care can be received:

If you’re a carer, it’s important you take some time to look after your own health and wellbeing because it will help you in your caring role. Carer Gateway provides carer specific in-person, phone, and online services and support nationally to help you in your caring role.

Carer Gateway phone line

You can call 1800 422 737, Monday to Friday, between 8am and 5pm, to speak to a Carer Gateway service provider. They will talk with you to understand your needs and provide the support and services to assist you in your caring role.

Important Disclaimer

This information has been reproduced in good faith and extracted from the NDIS and My Aged Care websites. Please always verify information is current through contact with the relevant agency via the phone numbers, email addresses or web sites provided.

The Warragul Stroke Support Group takes no liability for anyone acting on this information without further verifying their eligibility and the requirements of these agencies.

enableme is a place to talk to, and seek support from, other people who have ‘been there’.

enableme is owned and managed by the Stroke Foundation. It has been created specifically for the Australian stroke community.

Website address: www.enableme.org.au
Email; help@enableme.org.au

The enableme website provides a number of clear, step-by-step instructions for people to understand how to join the community and access and use the online tools.  There’s even a ‘strokesaurus’ to help you understand language related to stroke.

They even provide instructions and have enabled the site to be adapted for easier reading – and you can choose to have information presented in an ‘easy English web page format.   That means shorter words and sentences and bigger text.

There’s also the option to:

Find out more about this function here: www.enableme.org.au/enableme-user-guide/how-do-i-make-the-website-easier-to-read

StrokeLine

StrokeLine provides advice and support via telephone Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.

You can also email strokeline@strokefoundation.org.au.

For non emergency and general information you can even talk to a health professional.  Do this via the StrokeLine team on 1800 787 653.

To start using the enableme website go to the site and select “resources” from the left hand menu.

It will present the following image;

If you select “I’m new to stroke” – a new range of options to explore will pop up.  This is the same for all of the four boxes available to choose from above.

I’m new to stroke

The website also has blogs and forums so you can connect with others and an “ask a health professional’ online question and answer page. You can see common questions others have asked – this might answer your query too!

This fact sheet is designed to alert you to how helpful this site can be, but changes may be made to the website that are not updated on these fact sheets.

If you or someone you know can access the site this will make sure you have all of the current information and resources available.

The original website will always be the best place to visit if you can.

If you need help – touch base with the Warragul Stroke Group members and see if there is someone who may be able to help you access the information on the website.

What is the Community Rehabilitation Centre?

The Community Rehabilitation Centre (CRC) is a team based service.

Our programs are designed to help you achieve the best recovery. Our aim is to improve or maintain your independence.

Our goal is to help you achieve the best outcomes to improve your quality of life.

What is the General Rehabilitation Program?

The CRC provides a short-term program that is goal-based.  You will have an individualised program to help improve your skills.  You will be seen at the CRC or at home, depending on your therapy needs.

What services are provided?

The CRC team consists of:

Who should attend CRC rehabilitation?

These programs are suitable if you

You will be assessed and we will work with you to set realistic goals.  This is done with input from you and your family.

With your consent you may be referred to other health care workers.

How do you book in?

Your doctor or health professional will send your referral directly to the Community Rehabilitation Centre.

A First Call staff member will contact you to gain some initial information.

A  CRC staff member will then contact you to arrange an assessment.

Assessments are held on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons.

When are therapy sessions held?

Therapy takes place in a group setting in CRC.  You will have your own specially designed program but will work alongside others.

Sessions are held every:

Tuesday morning:
30am–12.00 noon

Thursday morning:
30am–12.00 noon

Tuesday afternoon (condition specific groups):
30pm–3.30pm

No sessions are held on Public Holidays.

Where is the CRC?

 The CRC is located in the Allied Health/ Community Rehabilitation Centre building on the west end of the hospital site at Warragul (enter via Landsborough Street car park).

How will you get to the CRC?

You are normally required to make your own way to the Centre. Please talk with CRC Staff if transport is an issue.

What does it cost?

All General Rehabilitation programs are free unless you have funding via the NDIS that you wish to utilise.

How do I contact the CRC?

For further information please telephone:

Community Rehabilitation Centre
West Gippsland Hospital
Landsborough Street
Warragul 3820

Phone: 5623 0647 or 5623 0643

Cancellation Policy:

Please contact the CRC if you are unable to attend a session. You may be discharged from the program if you don't attend three or more sessions and do not notify us.

Stroke Warning Signs

Recognising warning signs and taking quick action may advert a stroke or reduce its severity.

Signs include:

Stroke Risk Factors

Symptoms of stroke may appear suddenly but underlying conditions are usually present for sometime before the stroke occurs.

You can reduce the likelihood of having a stroke by addressing the following health issues:

Taxis

Commercial Passenger Vehicles Australia (CPVA) ensures that transport services, (taxis and hire cars, including rideshare) are accessible for all members of the community, including people with a disability.

Their website contains information on:

Public Transport

Travellers Aid Australia (TAA) provides travel related support, advice and help to people who experience difficulties with transport.

They provide services such as free personal care for people with a disability, low cost mobility equipment hire, fully accessible toilets and other support services.

At Melbourne’s Southern Cross Station, Travellers Aid offer a free buggy service that will take you to and from your point of arrival and departure, safely and reliably.  You can walk too, and a staff member or trained volunteer can accompany you.

Call 03 9670 2072 for more information, or book online www.travellersaid.org.au.  You generally need to book 24 hours in advance.

VLine

Most VLine trains and coaches are accessible to customers with wheelchairs or mobility aids.

In addition to boarding aids and mobility support, VLine has a number of communication support tools to assist you on your journey, including communications boards.

VLine support the Communication Accessibility standards, companion card holders and traveller’s aid Australia.

They are committed to ensuring you can access their services safely and comfortably.  To see their specific accessibility page, outlining their initiatives and how you can travel safely on their services visit: https://www.vline.com.au/Fares-general-info/Accessibility

There are obviously safety and licencing issues to consider when looking to resume driving after having a stroke and certain driving restrictions apply after you have had a stroke.

Refer to the Stroke Foundation fact sheet “Driving After A Stroke” downloadable here: https://strokefoundation.org.au/Australian-stroke-coalition/-/media/FECDD14C7FA14E6087EF9AC351A4DC4A.ashx

A stroke is defined as a neurological condition.  VicRoads state that ‘if you have a neurological condition, your driving could be affected by:

Find out more about driving with neurological conditions here: https://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/licences/health-and-driving/medical-conditions-and-driving/neurological-conditions

VicRoads outlines the information regarding assessing your fitness to drive, including requirements for health professional involvement and sign off.

Visit the Fitness To Drive Frequently Asked Questions page of their website here: https://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/licences/health-and-driving/medical-conditions-and-driving/fitness-to-drive-faqs

Local Contacts

Margaret Locarnini
Mobile: 0417 552 684
Email: marg.loc@bicpond.com

Margaret is an Occupational Therapist servicing the Baw Baw Shire region, who conducts driving functional assessments (cars only) for stroke survivors. Margaret can also provide advice on car modifications and seeking funding to perform modifications that may enable stroke survivors to drive.

Phil Help
Driving School Instructor
Mobile: 0425 803 227

Meetings held every first and third Tuesday of the month, 1pm to 3pm

Warragul Community House, 138 Normanby Street, Warragul
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This website has been developed with funding by the Department of Health and Human Services, through the Disability Self Help Grants scheme.
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