Letting a support worker into your life is different from most other work relationships. They’re not like a plumber who comes, fixes a tap, and leaves. They see you in your day-to-day. They walk beside you, help with tasks, maybe share quiet time or come along to a group.

It’s one of the trickiest questions families and people living with support needs face: when do you bring in paid help and when do you keep relying on the people already in your life?

When you think about support, most people imagine one worker showing up, doing their shift, leaving, and that’s it. But the truth is, leaning on just one paid worker can be risky. People get sick, they move away, sometimes they just don’t fit.

When people talk about care, whether it’s aged care or through the NDIS, the focus is often on getting a worker in place. Someone reliable who shows up on time and knows what to do. But there’s a bigger picture.

Putting together a support team sounds great at first – you know you’ll have the right people for the right times. But when it actually gets rolling, it’s not always that simple. Different workers turning up at different hours, some for short shifts, some for long ones, some who know your needs well and others who are brand new.

Once you finally locate the right support worker and you both have a dialogue about the kind of assistance you need, the time of the day that would suit you, and the rates you can both agree on, the next issue that would arise is the service agreement.

When you finally reach the stage of sitting down with a support worker, it feels like you’ve already done so much. You’ve gone through the whole effort of figuring out the role, you’ve made the ad live, people have applied, you’ve filtered and reduced that pile of names and resumes to the small handful that might actually fit. And now comes the part where you see the person, not just the paper.

When families or individuals start looking for support workers, one of the first questions that usually comes up is: what kind of qualifications should they have? Some people strongly believe a support worker should hold formal certificates before they even step into the job. Others say those certificates don’t always reflect how capable or reliable someone will be in real life. This has been a debate for years and, to be honest, both sides have a point.

Looking for a support worker isn’t the same as hiring someone to fix your roof or deliver groceries. It’s personal. You’re inviting someone into your life, sometimes into your home, and you need the right fit. That is why the job advertisement you run will be so important. 

Finding the right support worker isn’t just about putting up any advert online and hoping for the best. It’s about taking the time to put your thoughts in order – what support is really needed, what the day-to-day looks like, what type of person would fit well.

When people first think about bringing in a support worker, whether it’s through the NDIS or aged care or just because daily life has got too heavy to manage alone, the whole thing can feel bigger than expected. It isn’t just saying “we need help” and then someone shows up.

Trying to put together the right support team can feel heavy sometimes. You’re looking for someone who understands, who can fit in with your day, and who won’t just be a name on paper.

According to the Australian Institute of Family Studies, only 40% of caregivers feel confident in knowing how to support their child’s behavioural needs. Isolation lingers in the air like an unsaid symptom.

Epileptic seizures can shut down a person’s life. If they’re severe, the person living with the condition can lose their will to live. This is why there are high-intensity epilepsy support services. And in Australia, this is serious business.

It is sad to see that your loved one cannot ingest food or water safely through the mouth. When this happens, enteral feeding is very necessary. It enables individuals to gain access to the required nutrients using a special kind of feeding tube.

Dysphagia may occur in all members of the population; still, more frequently it is present in older people or individuals with some medical disorders. To some individuals, it is a minor issue. In other situations, it can also generate extreme health outcomes such as choking or infection of the lungs.

Everybody has different needs, whether they’re living with a disability or not. Some individuals may suffer from simple shocks, others may face complex health issues, while some others suffer from multiple high-intensity care needs. For this reason, everyone should be cared for according to their condition. 

A catheter might be quite difficult to have at home, but it is also a manageable part of daily life with the proper support. The NDIS provides care at home, so individuals get the care they need in the comfort of their own home. Support Network, a reputable NDIS agency, offers customised services to make it easier and more comfortable.

All support under NDIS is targeted towards ensuring the well-being, independence and safety of the participants. But some support requires more attention owing to its complex nature.

Receiving appropriate support may significantly help people on the autism spectrum. As a person with autism or a caretaker of a loved one with it, it is reassuring to know that there is much to do and help can be found in various ways which includes social time and skill development as well as round-the-clock aid.

Job hunting may be a nightmare particularly when you are an autistic person. However, there is a lot of help available. Knowing what you can do as well as how you can ready yourself for work can help you feel much more comfortable with the process.

As the rest of the country awakens to the fact that having sensory sensitivities means considering certain environments as a person with sensory needs, e.g., think sensory-friendly stadiums, stores, or cinemas, it is normal that parents would like to know more about how they can show the same consideration at home. Either your child has just been diagnosed, or you have already been adapting to their sensory requirements some time now, having a positive and relaxing environment at home could help a lot.

Is your little one back to school behind schedule or gearing up to go back to school soon? Such a great way to get back to school with a feel-good stock of books on the bookshelf is by updating the bookshelf. Good story, is not just about entertainment, it can assist in that sleep time goes more smoothly, it becomes a source of curiosity, and even teaches children to better understand incoming social situations, with kindness, and empathy.

When you’re in the autism spectrum and you are approaching the end of school, you may experience all the excitement and uncertainty about the future like many other young people your age. Autistic young adults with the proper guidance and with just a bit of planning can enter this next phase with more preparedness and confidence.

The school holiday passes faster than we think. One day you were clocking out and the next day you are getting ready to start another school year with new routines, new teachers, and new classrooms. When changes are happening, sometimes your child might need a slight bit of help to adapt to them. This is why the right time is now to hook up with a support worker at Support Network. Starting on a vacation can make your child more prepared, more confident and less nervous at the time when school starts.

When you find out that your child has Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), you wish to do anything possible to stir their development and prosperity. The positive news? You need not to wait. As a matter of fact, the sooner support is provided, the more is the positive outcome. The brain develops rapidly during early childhood and it is during early childhood that children learn and experience many things that may pre-determine life.

Every person having Down syndrome must be given dignity, respect and a chance to thrive. Not all the support has to be something huge. Many times, little things count.

NDIS funding is important for people living with Down syndrome. Knowing how to navigate it can be phenomenal and relieving. This is because NDIS funding ensures that participants enjoy quality care.

Down syndrome is not your fault, nor is it the doctor’s. This guide exists to tell you why, and to teach you exactly what it is.

Each individual has the right to be loved, understood, and the right to belong. Those with Down syndrome are not different from other individuals. Each one of them feels, dreams, and belongs.

By supporting people with Down syndrome, you are basically giving them a chance to live and grow. Such fundamental aspects of life (communication, hygiene, cooking and emotional awareness) are not too much at all. They are necessary to ensure independence, confidence, and dignity.

In 2020, records showed that the official number of people living with Down syndrome in Australia was 13,426. This was due to the fact that 1 in 1,158 births between 2016 and 2020 were Trisomy 21 births.

There are over 445, 000 Australians living with the impact of stroke but surprisingly, the number of strokes listed as the main disability among current participants of the NDIS is only about 1.4percent. This figure on its own reveals something quite significant, namely, that a lot of stroke survivors are possibly not receiving the support that they might use in facilitating day to day life.

Time is life itself when a stroke occurs. The more it procrastinates the higher the possibility of permanent damage to the brain. Early identification of the signs and acting accordingly will help to minimize it and with a possibility to save one more life. It is not that one has to do something exceptional instead it is a matter of staying composed, being alert and doing the simple right.

Stroke occurs when the flow of blood to one area of the brain is blocked and this may as well occur due to a rupture of an artery. Brain cells do not take long to get damaged when they lack oxygen and nutrients. So-called three major types of stroke exist:

Stroke occurs as the blood supply to the brain is abruptly interrupted, halting oxygen in brain tissue. This may lead to ruination of parts of the mind in case it is not taken care of immediately.

A stroke is a condition which can cause severe problems and occurs in case the blood circulation is disrupted in the brain. This can deny the brain tissue oxygen when that flow ceases even temporarily. It has the possibility of causing permanent harm to an individual based on the part of the brain that was damaged and how early the individual got medical attention. The earlier a person receives care, the higher the possibility to constrain the effects.

The stroke may alter your movement, posture, sitting or walking. Tasks which can have been completed easily could feel like new ones. It could be holding a cup, getting into a shower, or going out to walk and these changes may weigh heavily on someone.

Stroke recovery may come with a lot of physical, mental, and emotional challenges. Occupational therapy (OT) usually plays a significant role in that process helping individuals gain their independence back and restoring their daily routine.

Life post-stroke does not simply transform once  it continues to transform. You have to learn how to use a fork again and the next day you are asking yourself how to cross a room without assistance. Activities that were done automatically  getting dressed, cooking, even carrying a conversation  may now have to be slower, more work, or performed by the hands of others. That is the tough one. However, the point is that the thing is that there is hope, and you do not need to work it all out by yourself.

Certainly, there had been a time when our well-being was some people’s concern. Years have passed, and the roles, reversed. The people who once looked after us now require support. They cannot live comfortably without help.

With every passing year in your parents life, you draw closer to making a difficult decision. This decision is about whether you should take charge of their care or choose aged care for them. As much as you love and would want to care for them, there may come  a point where you need to make this decision.

Aged care is not about ticking boxes; it is about ensuring that older Australians live in dignity, comfort, and the best quality of life. However, it may be confusing to find an appropriate aged care service. 

The reason why Aged Care Assistance has become such a hot topic in Australia is that the population is ageing fast. In fact, in 2016, population census data reported that one in six Australian nationals was 65 or older. At this rate, by 2030, one in four will be 65 or older.

There are some common misconceptions about aged care. One of them is that aged care is only for people who can no longer care for themselves. Another is that aged care means older citizens lose their independence or sense of control. 

Medical assistance is only one aspect of elder care.  At home, it all comes down to comfort, respect, and genuine assistance.  More than 90% of old people want to live in their homes as they grow older. 

The majority of older adults desire to remain in their homes as they age. It’s familiar. It’s comfortable. It holds memories.

AARP says that nearly 90 per cent of adults over the age of 65 want to age in place, that is, they want to grow old in their own homes. The problem is that not all houses were constructed with this in mind. It only takes a dark corridor, a wet bathroom floor or even a high shelf to make everyday occurrences accidents in the making.

Aged care is morphing in Australia. Typically, aged care used to be all about serving the needs of the elderly, no matter where in the world they are. Now, what we have are person-centred older people's care services, especially in Australia. This is to allow them to be independent, active, dignified and very often grounded in their homes.

Elderly Care is a rapidly evolving sector that needs an equally innovative way to manage it. With a growing rate of preference to elderly care at home as opposed to other care options, there's a need to introduce technological advancements to help in providing the right care in this digital era.

Deciding to adopt home care for your loved one is a very practical decision. Nobody wakes up and gets just anybody to do “heavy” tasks like washing, meal prep, medication reminders, etc., for a person they care about. It is a decision that’s never made lightly.

Currently as of March 2022, there were over 80,000 children below the age of seven accessing help under the NDIS, with another 10,000 connected to early connections. These numbers show just how important early intervention is and how many families in Australia have already been receiving assistance.

It can be scary to learn you have autism and having something to look forward to, knowing there is help, is always a great plus. As a result of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), thousands of children in Australia with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) now have access to critical funds and services through the scheme to ensure their appropriate growth.

When hearing that your child is autistic you may feel confused, at times relieved in knowing the answer to the problem and yet again unsure of the plans to be followed next. There is nothing wrong with such an attitude. You never have to go it all alone, and you can find a big circle of friends to lean on as you step up to the plate to take a new direction in life with no ambiguity and no doubt at all.

Autism also known as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder. It has various influences on individuals, the manner in which they think, communicate, feel and how they relate with the world around them. That is why they say autism is like a spectrum, one cannot have two people feeling the same way about autism.

Within the past few years, the way that autism is identified in Australia has changed. Though being diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) may bring relief and open up new opportunities of assistance, it may also be confusing, at least in regards to the participation in the NDIS. At Support Network, we are ready to assist you in understanding how autism and the NDIS system work and what you could do.

Autism impacts on the masses differently. Every autistic individual is different in his strengths, preferences, difficulties, and requirements. Being an autistic grown-up or a parent or carer of an autistic child, it is quite important to find the proper support as it can significantly ease life on a daily basis.

The lifelong neuro developmental disorder Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) influences an individual by the manner in which one perceives the surrounding world. Although no single known cause is cited, it is diagnosed differently depending on the person, which is not the case of two autistic people.

Autism Spectrum Disorder or ASD is a neurodevelopmental disorder that dictates the way autistic people live and perceive the world. It can not have a single known cause and it is something that accompanies the person throughout his life.

We are convinced of the fact that we begin to know through language. We adopt identity-first language (e.g. autistic person) because this is how a big number of people within the community would also like to identify. However, we appreciate that not all people prefer the same things, and we do not assume to know how the individual is to identify themselves.

People living with Alzheimer’s ought not to be isolated. They ought not to be allowed to live or stay alone. Living with Alzheimer’s presents enough challenges.  Neglecting people with this disability or excluding them from some activities should be avoided.

My wife, Evelyn, was the one with a sharp memory. She could recall people’s birthdays. Or where we parked the car at the supermarket. And even the names of our children’s childhood classmates.

A dementia diagnosis may bring uncertainty—but it doesn’t mean letting go of your health or independence. Being fit and eating well is never out of the question, no matter what phase you are in. These practices will do a phenomenal change to your life. Moderate activity can stimulate your brain, lift your mood, and help you stay steady and strong.

Having dementia does not mean the end of independence. Many individuals could remain at home with proper assistance and be surrounded by memories and routines that add comfort. To do this well, it requires more than just good intentions. It requires community.

Dementia diagnosis does not have to mark the end of your working life. Most people can keep working, particularly in the early stages, and devise ways of coping with purpose and routine that are helpful. With adequate support, tact on the part of the employer, and suitable equipment, it may be possible to keep working and living with dementia.

Every care support worker will tell you that dementia is one of the most stressful conditions to manage. The patient’s ability to do basic things is greatly impaired, and because of this, communication becomes a burdensome chore. The people who care for dementia patients are heroes, and that includes you, who are taking care of your loved one.

Caring for a person with dementia comes with both emotional and physical responsibilities. When memory retention is further lost, the patient loses their sense of environment and time. Performing their daily tasks will become increasingly difficult and will require assistance.

The only thing more stressful for carers than a debilitating dementia case is a home that makes it impossible to look away for even a second.

You see, dementia makes adults into what some people call “reverse toddler” versions of themselves. Toddlers are tantrum machines, hyperactive beasts, and little energiser bunnies. Their main trick is to do every and anything that comes to them at any point in a day, whether it can kill them or lead to a brilliant invention.

For people who live with dementia, the downsides can be challenging. For a loved one, family, or parent who is providing daily care. Especially with the kind of constant coordination it requires at home.

Have you ever felt the confusion that comes from not knowing why you walked into a room? What about the confusion that comes from trying to stand up after a while of lying or sitting down, but your body fails to respond? In both cases, your brain goes before you, but your body takes a while to respond.

Seeing your loved one live with dementia can be heartbreaking. Taking care of them is more saddening. It can be extremely difficult. It is an experience that requires immense compassion and understanding.

Dementia is a terminal illness that changes not only the patient. Friends and families suffer too. It is tough to see someone whom you’ve known all your life become a different person because of this syndrome. Things we expected from them in the past are probably no longer possible. A funny father who used to have jokes for almost every occasion becomes dull. He no longer sees the lighter side of a situation.

Tasks that were once easy can become difficult due to cognitive decline. Forgetting recent memories and having difficulty expressing oneself through words are early warning signs.

When a loved one begins to lose names, gets lost in the places where they have lived since childhood or even gets into trouble with the most basic things, it can become a sad and bewildering experience.

With the increased pressure of home-based care in Australia, many people and their families are wondering how to access personal experiences of care. Whether you are looking after an elderly parent, an independent person living with disability, or a post-surgery patient, settling on the right kind of carer is a critical decision.

Aged care has become a huge concern in Australia as it stands. According to research by the University of Sydney, more than 22% of Australians will be aged 65 and above. This tells you how rapidly the aged population is growing. This growth has led to an increased demand for aged care services, especially home care services as more aged people now prefer to age at home instead of nursing homes.

To most Australians living with disability, the capacity to perform daily personal tasks without direct supervision is a significant measure to enable them to achieve some form of independence.

Understanding the Dementia Diagnosis Journey

Taking care of a loved one with dementia could also be emotional, depressing and even painful

Welcome.

You came here for respite, and respite you will find.

The first thing that needs to be gotten out of the way is that you’re doing well. Amazing, even. Don’t let anybody or situations make you think otherwise. Being the caregiver for a person with dementia is not a cakewalk.

The NDIS, National Disability Insurance Scheme is a program that provides support services to people living with disabilities in Australia to live more independently.

Do you want to enrol in the NDIS Social and Community Participation programme? Here is how it works.

Social life and community participation are a plus for individuals with disabilities. Aside from the fun, it helps overcome isolation. And connect you with peers outside the confines of your home. Even so, it links you with a community of individuals with similar goals.

Community participation is a big part of NDIS. NDIS supports individuals to engage with their community. This builds confidence and independence.

Knowing which activities are funded and how to include them in your NDIS plan helps you get the most out of the program.

Overnight Care: What It Is and Who It Helps

The need for care doesn't stop after the setting sun. Think, if you will: an elderly parent, a child with a disability, or a family member healing after surgery. The hours of darkness could be the most vulnerable among others. That's where overnight home care is entered to ensure safety, provision, and peace of mind for everyone.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics, in 2018, projected that the country’s elderly population (85 years or older) would double in the next 25 years. And in 2023, the University of Sydney’s Professor Lee-Fay Low wrote an article titled, “Confronting ageing: the talk Australia has to have”, where she claimed that “by 2026, more than 22 percent of Australians will be aged over 65  — up from 16 percent in 2020.” Professor Low also noted that the country will need to add “285,800 workers for aged care, disability and mental health support by 2050” to deal with this elder boom.

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.

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.

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.

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.