Elderly woman forced to sleep in her wheelchair because she isn’t eligible for NDIS funding

A 75-year-old woman slept in her wheelchair every night for more than three months because she couldn’t get funding for a carer.

For 100 of the past 162 nights, an elderly woman has had no choice but to sleep in her wheelchair.

The 75-year-old Queensland woman told the Courier Mail she was not eligible for NDIS funding and couldn’t afford to pay for a carer on her own.

“Sleeping in my bed has become a rare luxury,” the woman, who wanted to remain anonymous, told the publication.

“I have completely exhausted my personal savings gathered throughout my working life by paying for private overnight carers out of my own pocket.”

NDIS accessibility guidelines stipulate that if a person acquires a disability after turning 65, they are not eligible to receive funding through the disability sector.

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A Queensland woman said she had been sleeping in a wheelchair for 100 nights. Picture: iStock

They instead must rely on existing support supposedly available through the aged care system.

The woman’s experience sadly was one of thousands across Australia, with elderly people in need of disability support unable to get it due to their age.

The rule is being disputed by Spinal Life Australia which on Tuesday launched a campaign to overturn a government move in 2013 which made it legal to refuse disability funding based on the age of applicants.

“I don’t think the average Australian realises if you’re over 65 at a family barbecue and fall down the stairs and become a quadriplegic you are not entitled to the same level of support,”

CEO Mark Townend said.

“This could be my father, mother, older brother or sister and they are being thrown on the scrap heap.”

Mr Townend argued the support available through the government’s My Aged Care scheme was, at best, worth 20 per cent of the NDIS support.

“These people have paid taxes for many years, some have fought for our country, and they are the ones who get the least help from the country and it is just wrong,” he told the publication.

Another person disadvantaged by the NDIS age cut-off was 74-year-old Terry Cokeley, who became a quadriplegic following a cycling accident.

Because Mr Cokeley, who is cared for by his wife Alison Cokeley, acquired his disability after turning 65, he is not eligible for any NDIS funding.

NDIS minister Linda Reynolds formerly addressed the issue, saying it was a recommendation from the Productivity Commission that a disability should be acquired before 65 to meet eligibility criteria.