NDIS: Senior citizens call for an end to the under 65 age limit
NDIS funding stops for those aged 65 and over, but seniors argue this discriminates against disabled elderly, consigning them to lesser pay on aged care. Chris English became a quadriplegic after fainting and falling face-first on his 69th birthday and is not eligible for the NDIS even though he needs 24-hour care.
NSW
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Senior citizens are demanding an end to the age limit on the National Disability Insurance Scheme, claiming they are being short-changed.
On Chris English’s 69th birthday he fainted and fell face-first on the back deck of his daughter’s house. The freak accident left him a quadriplegic. He needs 24-hour care and cannot get out of bed or even eat without help.
If he was under 65, Mr English would be covered by the NDIS but because he’s older, he is only entitled to an aged care package.
Mr English spent 12 months in hospital but, now home, his 64-year-old wife Bobby is his main carer. She has to ration the care he can receive from helpers on his aged-care package of $50,000.
“If we kept up the care of two hours a day, seven days a week (by the end of the year) it will go over by $8000 with no money left over for respite if I fall ill,” Mrs English said.
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The Albion Park couple rely on their two children aged 38 and 41 to come and help each day. ‘‘I rely on my son and daughter to put him to bed each day,” Mrs English said.
She has begun a petition and already has 6500 signatures to present to the Minister responsible for the NDIS, Stuart Robert.
“Regardless of age, people over the age of 65 should be able to access NDIS benefits to support them in receiving the care they need,” it reads.
Mrs English said the NDIS is far more generous than the aged-care system and aims to meet disability, not the ageing process.
A Department of Social Services spokeswoman said “the NDIS is not intended to replace the health or aged- care systems. For those 65 and over, there is a range of supports available’’.
Originally published as NDIS: Senior citizens call for an end to the under 65 age limit
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