How Support Coordination gave Dorothy new independence

 

Keen gardener Dorothy is maintaining her independence thanks to the support of her family and the NDIS.

Dorothy has a chronic degenerative disease which has caused vision loss and means she relies on a walking frame and a wheel chair. Her husband receives a small aged care package and together the couple rely on their daughter Hope to provide them with assistance in their home.

Leaving her house was a huge challenge for Dorothy. Her front door has steps and due to the layout of her garden, she is unable to exit her property through the back of her home. This meant she was dependent on her carers to access her garden and go on social outings or shopping trips.

Fortunately Dorothy was eligible for the NDIS and receives Support Coordination services through Windermere Child & Family Services.

Support Coordinator Amie has assisted Dorothy to access a range of supports designed to maintain and increase her independence as well as protect her during the COVID-19 pandemic. This included Occupational Therapy support to help her maintain her mobility.

Thanks to NDIS funding Amie organised for Dorothy to have an access ramp and sensor lights installed at the entrance to her home. This means Dorothy is less reliant on her daughter. She can now leave her home safely and access her garden, where she loves to spend time enjoying the outdoors and caring for her plants.

“When we identified Dorothy’s needs I suggested that we get a ramp installed and Dorothy is loving it now as it means she can manage leaving home on her own,” says Amie.

Windermere also organised safety ramps and railings to be installed in Dorothy’s bathroom so she can be more independent and less reliant on carer’s assistance.

More complex modifications to Dorothy’s home are also planned, but as these require the family to vacate their home for some weeks, they have been put on hold due to the pandemic.

 

For more information about Windermere’s Support Coordination services visit here or call the team on team on 1300 946 337.

 

Posted on: 17/08/2020