Support Network Blog

Although managing your aged care may seem like a big or daunting step, it is becoming a norm and an empowering option for many older Australians. The traditional agency model is no longer binding under the self-managed aged care package.

Sometimes, caring for an old or disabled loved one is not just routine exercise. It's a round-the-clock job. The care job requires a complete use of your time at all times of the day. This usually happens when the care receiver is immobile. In this case, you have to ensure they go through their daily life activities with your help.

Self-managing home care packages is one of the best ways to have total control over your care package. It is a way to ensure all things run according to your plan and ensure efficiency. However, it is not without its responsibilities. In this article, we at SupportNetwork take participants on a journey.

Locating good disability support services is quite challenging, not to mention that there are many providers and numerous choices in Australia.

As a carer, a relative, or a person with some disability, who is looking for the first time to get help, it is necessary to know what makes a service helpful and trustworthy.

One misconception about dementia: it is an ailment. The truth is that it is not an ailment. It is the trace end result of several ailments that affect the brain.

You see, most ailments your body suffers from leave a trace. When older people who have dealt with Alzheimer’s, CTE or any mental health issues in the past aren’t taken care of properly, dementia sets in.

Dementia is that rude guest who barges into your space unannounced. It starts from the little, subtle symptoms. One by one, you start to pay attention. Signs that were there all along, but you didn't know. Until it develops fully.

It's disorienting to watch someone who is very active, smart, and extremely independent suddenly start to forget basic things like where they were going or what they were doing at a particular time. It is emotionally draining and socially wrecking.

The number of people in Australia that are afflicted by dementia stands at above 400,000 making dementia a leading cause of disability in the elderly. With a greying population, there is a greater and dire need to have clear and accessible care information.

From Confused to Confident: Your Simple Guide to Applying for the Support at Home Program

It is daunting to negotiate aged care services, especially with the evolving face of in-home care in Australia. Because there is a growing need for simpler, more person-focused care, the Australian Government will be starting the Support at Home Programme on 1 November 2025. This new programme will bring together and build on the current in-home care services. The aim is to help older Australians stay in their own homes, live independently, and enjoy a better quality of life for as long as possible.

Are you in a situation where performing your daily household tasks has become a problem? Simple chores like cooking, cleaning or even moving around the house now stress you out. This could be as a result of old age, disability, an injury or a chronic illness; basically any impairment to your daily routine.

You are not alone in this state. There are many individuals who are going through the same issues. Some individuals, in fact, do not even have to be disabled, old or sick. They simply find it more and more difficult to maintain their normal life routines. It is nothing to be ashamed of, not when there is an escape from it.

If you're navigating the aged care system in Australia, you must have likely come across Home Care Packages (HCPs). One of the options of these HCPs that is increasingly becoming popular is the self-managed home care packages.

Self-managing your care can be one of the best decisions you can make for yourself in your care journey, even though it might feel like a huge task at first.

As the population of Hobart continues to grow and age, the need for quality, accessible home care services has become higher. Such that, many people living with disabilities or other conditions now prefer to receive care within their homes. 

The NDIS (National Disability Insurance Scheme) is a program created for people with disabilities, and in Adelaide, it is helping participants get personalised support right in the comfort of their homes.

It does not have to be difficult to navigate the NDIS. Especially, when you are looking for home care services that can be personalised to meet your specific needs. For people living in Sunshine Coast residents, knowing what is out there and how to access it is the key.

This guide offers in-depth insight of NDIS home care services on the Sunshine Coast. It provides information and guidance for individuals and their families.

Choosing a home carer for your disabled loved ones is an excellent way of providing them with a chance to live a better life. A caregiver does more than just helping the disabled individual with their daily tasks. A good carer gets physically and emotionally involved with the care receiver to make sure they are comfortable at all times.

With no doubt, finding the right NDIS home care provider can feel pretty overwhelming. You've sorted out your plans, but now, you are faced with a long list of providers wondering how you'd pick the right one. But here's the thing. Choosing your home care provider in Newcastle is not like ticking off another item on your to-do list. You are looking at people who will be coming into your house, assisting you with your personal needs, and helping you work towards your goals. Once you are able to get this right, your life becomes easier. But on the other hand, if you get it wrong, you'll have to deal with stress you don't really need.

Independence is worthwhile for everyone, whether we’re doing our morning routine, preparing what we eat or taking part in local activities. Someone living with a disability may find independence easier with the help of personalised care. At this point, NDIS Home Care in Gold Coast can assist.

This article explains how NDIS home care can help you or your relatives live more independently on the Gold Coast.

When you or a loved one needs a little extra support at home, it's more than a funding plan management. Rather, it’s about being heard and supported at every step of their care journey.

Taking care of someone with a disability can be hard. In the Central Coast region, families use NDIS Home Care to receive support funded by the government.

The NDIS provides financial assistance for care services, therapy and making changes to homes that allow people to live by themselves. Yet, it can be unclear how to handle eligibility, prepare the best plan and manage missing and available funds.

Are you new to the NDIS? Or want to explore trusted home care options? Here are ways to access simplified NDIS home care in Canberra.

NDIS participants are eligible for various care options. Depending on the approved funding plan. And the type of disability support you need. From domestic assistance at home to complex care for disability, you can access support through service providers. That is in line with your goals.

Choosing the right NDIS home care support in Sydney can be as bad as trying to get through the jungle without a map. It can even be worse if it's about your health. For Sydney locals and families, knowing where to start and finding reliable and flexible care can be of huge assistance.

Home Care Support is gradually becoming an indispensable part of Melbourne's healthcare system and that of Australia at large. With a significant increase in the number of persons over 65 years, and with more seniors feeling reluctant about going into retirement homes, the relevance has become insurmountable.

There are some situations you or someone you know will fall in and your world turns into something else you totally have no idea about. You start going through different terms, hospital visits, government systems, and making tough decisions about your care. In this situation, the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) will become your best option in getting care support and funding. But despite the support from the NDIS, finding the right home care support in Brisbane can actually feel like finding a needle in a haystack.

Over a decade ago, accessing care and support services was quite difficult for people living with disabilities in Melbourne and across Australia. However, things have changed, and they now have much better options and support — thanks to the NDIS. It doesn't matter if you are new to the program or you've been benefiting from it, it is important to have adequate understanding of how to go about NDIS support in Melbourne. 

Overview of the NDIS

Human want is insatiable. And it is the same across all spheres – including care services. Hence, the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is always evolving to accommodate the growing needs of NDIS participants.

Navigating the NDIS can be challenging. It can be a complex journey. As the NDIS continues to evolve, participants continue to look for high-quality care and support services that address their unique needs.

Taking the First Step in Aged Care

Caring for an old parent or a dear one is the best thing you can do in life but the heaviest burden you might carry. Aged care often comes all of a sudden—a sudden fall, illness, or just a visible behaviour change.

 Help with the daily tasks will be needed sooner or later, and you wonder: Where do I begin? With whom do I discuss these issues?

Aged care has become increasingly popular in the last few years. There are many retirement homes for seniors today, with lots of aged care services to provide. But there are still seniors who prefer to remain in their homes and live their lives privately. This can be hard to do but that's why there are residential support workers.

Empowering Support Workers: The Future of Independent Care

As the care industry grows, care workers' preferences continue to evolve. An increasing number of them are turning towards independent employment rather than coloured agency structures.

Support Network has become the preferred option among many available options for support workers who have greater control, better pay, and a more rewarding work experience. No wonder more people choose switch-making because you can select clients, set rates, and manage your schedule.

The best decision you can make for yourself when accessing NDIS support services is creating a reliable team of care professionals. Whether you are looking for an NDIS support worker for yourself or loved one, or you are in need of support workers for daily assistance, building the right team needs a very careful and thoughtful approach. It needs  you to carefully plan your team building and communicate clearly with them.

Cooking is more than just following a recipe book word for word. It's  a therapeutic experience that brings about a feeling of fulfillment after preparing a meal. Therefore, cooking with a support worker will give you the opportunity to learn new skills and promote well-being. When you cook with your support worker, it usually makes you feel excited and empowered.

In this guide, we will explore how cooking together with your support worker improves your well-being and mental health. It also explores the value of working together and how you can take control of your life through cooking together.

Sleep challenges can be overwhelming for individuals with disabilities. Here are measures and how to help as disability support workers.

Resting is essential during or after daily activities. It keeps you refreshed and enables you to set out for the next day in a good shape. As such, it becomes a problem when you are unable to sleep. Or get the needed rest.

Living independently is managing what you have to do, and living well, at that. It is how you live on your terms - logging what your life can be - deciding where you live, who you are supported by, and how you spend your time.

Whether going through the maze of the NDIS or just starting to plan a life that's more directed, what an independent living plan can help you achieve is to meander through your journey.

Introduction

Travelling is one of life’s greatest fun activities. The joy in experiencing new moments and creating unforgettable memories.

Travel is like therapy. It opens the mind to new possibilities. Travelling expands the intellect, making people see life in a different form. Travelling exposes people to new people, groups, and different cultures. It is a universal desire filled with learning experience.

Autism affects people in different ways, so the level of support needed also varies. Regardless, only the right service provider ensures the proper care for autistic participants.

Support Network is a reliable autism support service provider. People living with autism can benefit from many services through Support Network. Support Network’s autism support offers vital resources for participants, families, and caregivers. 

Interacting and communicating with people with disabilities in a respectful manner builds strong relationships. It helps in creating a more accessible and accepting community. However, many support workers fail in this aspect of communication despite having good intentions. The majority may not know the best way to communicate or interact with people with disabilities. This is where disability etiquette plays a crucial role. 

Navigating the NDIS landscape can be daunting. It can be complex. And you don’t want to lose your clients, or else you could lose your accreditation. Hence, the reason it is important to understand what your participants want.

Participants don’t stick to a service provider because of their services. They stick around and refer others because of the extras they enjoy. The perks and bonuses. A clear understanding of this is key. It aids in delivering quality care services to participants.

Don't feel discouraged because of the challenges you are facing. It is okay to feel overwhelmed, especially if you need help with your daily tasks or medical care. The thought of leaving your comfort can be daunting. But in-home care offers services that allow you to receive the care and support you need in your own home.

In this guide, we will explore what in-home care is and the types of services available. Also, we’ll explore the benefits and challenges and how to choose the right provider for your needs. With in-home care, you can maintain your independence and improve your well-being.

Getting complex care funding through the NDIS can be confusing. If you need high-intensity support, understanding the NDIS is essential.

After going through the hassle of obtaining your NDIS funding as a first-timer, you might be unsure about the right set of people to work with. The stress of working with a team of people that just don't get you can be exhausting. That's why we at Support Network are here to help you. We will guide you through the process of creating your ideal team to get the best of your NDIS funding.

Maximising the value of your NDIS (National Disability Insurance Scheme) funding is essential to ensure you can make the most of your funding. It does matter whether you’re a new participant or a seasoned NDIS user, managing your funds effectively can help you live a more quality and independent life while achieving your goals.

When it comes to accessing the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), one of the important things to consider is choosing the right NDIS service provider. As there are many providers to choose from, hiring a local NDIS service provider like Support Network offers significant benefits. Our local NDIS providers have a deep understanding of the unique needs of each community in Australia as a whole. At Support Network, we are dedicated to providing personalised and community-based services that will improve the quality of life and well-being of our clients.

The reality of life comes knocking at the door at different phases of life for different reasons. Aging is one of those factors. Many people believe that the serious effects of aging are unavoidable. They think these changes cannot be managed. Aging can be with all grace, dignity, and healthiness. You can manage fading effects with good care and extra help at home. 

As the clock keeps ticking from the moment of fertilization, managing old age can be easier with the right support. Having a healthy elongated life full of vitality is possible.

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is a health scheme that provides funding and support to Australians living with disabilities. It enables them to access care support that makes their life easy. NDIS service providers are the various organizations that administer these care services, and beneficiaries are called participants.

Getting the right support shouldn’t be more difficult than living with a disability. Your NDIS service provider is supposed to make life easier for you. They are supposed to support and build you into an individual who can live independently.

Senior home care goes beyond medication and daily support—it’s about dignity, comfort and mental wellness. However, for many seniors, the experience of receiving care turns into a struggle with misunderstanding when cultural differences are ignored. When a caregiver does not share a senior’s language, values or traditions, something fundamental is lost — not only words but a sense of connection, identity and trust. The touch of cultural sensitivity in aged care is not a benefit; it is a basic need that develops the whole course of care.

Support workers, often referred to as carers, are often undervalued due to the narrow scope of their job description. However, the role of a disability support worker goes beyond physical care; they also provide vital emotional and mental support. A dedicated disability support worker can become a trusted companion, helping individuals and their families establish a fulfilling daily routine, engage in outdoor activities, socialize, and more. In this blog, we will delve into how the emotional support provided by a compassionate disability support worker can significantly improve the quality of life for individuals with disabilities, offering reassurance and comfort.

When dealing with people care, we treat their unique conditions, whether looking after old age, lonely grandpas, or disabled individuals. Each person in care has their own set of challenges and needs care and attention to every little detail. This is where person-centered care is invaluable, as it allows us to focus solely on the individual's unique needs and requirements, whether it is doing house chores, increasing mobility, or helping them learn at home. 

Any medical-related support is critical; it's not only about the medical information and use of medicines but also about the carer's compassion towards their patients. When we talk about disabled care, it is not only about the physical challenges. It is also about addressing emotional and psychological support. Hence, the role of the carers is more crucial when it comes to understanding their duties and responsibilities towards their patients. In this blog, we will explain the duties and responsibilities of disability support workers and how they impact their work as they provide services to their patients. 

Disability due to uncontrollable circumstances can lead to erratic behavior in individuals. They often need care and love to ensure that they are in safe hands. However, since they realize they depend on others for daily chores and routines, they can be slightly irritated and rude. On the other hand, if the caregiver is very gentle and respectful and understands the challenges these specially abled individuals are going through, they will appreciate the help and support they are receiving. Hence, the role of carers in providing disability support is crucial, and this blog will guide you on how one should behave and care for special needs individuals. 

NDIS providers consist of approved providers and self managed providers.

Participants are able to choose whether they want a full service approved provider or a self managed NDIS provider that enables them to have more choice and control and to do their own rostering.

The Support network website is designed to assist you to find the best possible support workers for your care requirements.

The website allows you to choose self managed options or full service options.

When you select self managed option, you’re taken through a series of steps to navigate the website and directly find your Support Worker. The website enables you to negotiate directly with the Support Worker the fees that they charge.

Support network website is ultimately and at achieving a seamless way for you to connect with support workers, nurses, and health professionals.

Support network has endeavoured to make the website ultra simple and we believe creating simplicity takes a little bit of genius.

Support network is gathering feedback from clients and disability support workers on how they would like to adopt technology. We believe technology is gonna have some big benefits to both clients and disability support workers.

Currently the technology that support network uses is the website based software. And this enables easy administration for both the clients and the disability support worker. The software has embedded a number of features the profiles disability support workers and helps the matching process. Enables clients to search for disability support workers and also enable them to Post their care requirements on the platform and receive offers from disability support workers

This is one of the few beginning blogs that we are creating at Support network. The blogs are designed to give you more information that is relevant to assisting you choose between self managed care and other forms of care. It also is designed to help you be across relevant industry changes and also understand what best practice self manage. Care looks like.

This blog is an important first out to you understanding the philosophy and beliefs of support network. Which is a place where clients and disability support workers meet and interact.

Hi, I’m Jon Kontopos, founder of Support Network.

I created Support Network to offer people a more flexible, high-quality way to connect with disability and aged care workers. I’m deeply passionate about making care more accessible and affordable while ensuring it remains of the highest standard. Many disability support workers are not only highly qualified but also incredibly dedicated to their roles. We see them as a vital part of the community and one of the most important components of the home care industry.

One of the great things about NDIS and home care funding is that it gives Australians plenty of choice over who delivers their care. This can happen in two ways:

• You can choose a disability or aged care service provider who uses your funding to organise support workers for you, or;
• You can manage your NDIS funding or home care package yourself, choose your own support coordinator and even organise your own support team.

There are plenty of good reasons why people choose the first option and hire a provider to manage their package for them – for example, they may not want the stress of self-scheduling multiple supports, reviewing their own care plan and adjusting their budget when needed.

Choosing your own independent support worker is a great way to make sure you receive the support that’s just right for you. But it can also be a daunting task, especially with so much choice out there. How do you know if someone will provide you with good quality care? What questions should you ask in your first meeting? What qualities should you consider when you are deciding between different candidates?

Support workers play a crucial role in providing care and assistance in various different situations, such as healthcare and personal support. They help individuals with daily activities, ensuring their well-being and enhancing their quality of life.

In this post, we’ll be exploring the top qualities to look for when hiring a reliable support worker. Understanding these attributes will be essential for selecting a support worker who can provide effective and empathetic care tailored to one’s individual needs.

It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking that every NDIS support worker is the same, but that’s not the case. They all have their own experience and expertise, as well as their own professional personalities. An NDIS support worker that’s right for one person might not be right for your needs.

There are a lot of factors that go into choosing an NDIS support worker, including their availability and the type of services they offer. One often-overlooked influential element is trust. Indeed, you could argue that without trust it’s impossible to make the most of all that working with an NDIS support worker provides.

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) has had a transformative impact on the way in which Australians receive care. By partnering with the right NDIS support worker, you can benefit from a wide range of advantages, including easier day-to-day tasks, setting goals, and ultimately working towards making your dreams come true.

However, while all NDIS support workers may help you in some way, most people will find that the support they receive is much more extensive and valuable if they’re working with NDIS support workers from their local area. For that reason, it’s not about finding an ‘NDIS support worker,’ but about finding “NDIS support workers near me.”