Perhaps you’re one of millions of Australians living with disability yourself. Maybe you’re the family member of a loved one living with disability. Whether you’re in either of these two categories, you’ll know first-hand just how integral it is to prioritise a high quality of life and empowerment in the work of any disability support professionals.
There are many member-governed not-for-profit organisations in Australia that focus on enabling people with disabilities to live independently and authentically.
But what does that mean for the role of a disability support professional? Here’s what this belief looks like in the day-to-day work of Lifestyle attendants.
What is a Disability Support Professional?
Before we dive in, let’s establish the role of a disability support professionals. These professionals play a pivotal role in supporting individuals living with disability. Their responsibilities can be as unique as the individuals themselves, but often incorporate aspects of personal care, daily task assistance, and engagement with the community in both social and professional settings.
The term Lifestyle Attendant to is used to refer to disability support professionals and personal care providers. This is a customer-centred approach, which keeps individuals in control across all of their lifestyle and support choices.
Lifestyle Attendants work with individuals, supporting them in achieving an enhanced quality of life and being empowered to make their own lifestyle decisions. Lifestyle Attendants can quickly become vital to the everyday wellbeing and navigation of individuals living with disability.
How do Lifestyle Attendants support the empowerment of individuals living with disability?
There are all kinds of ways Lifestyle Attendants support the ongoing empowerment of those who are living with disability. A snapshot of these include:
- Thoughtful, high-quality support for personal care matters. As some people require support to maintain their personal hygiene, shower, dress, and transfer to and from any assistive equipment, Lifestyle Attendants can provide this necessary support in making sure every one feels their best for the day ahead. This can also extend to hair and nail care, and any preferred make-up. This care supports people to help them feel confident and empowered, expressing their personality and preferences through personal care.
- Support for complex health needs. Lifestyle Attendants can receive training from Clinical Nurse Consultant, meaning they’re more equipped than the average disability support professional when it comes to supporting complex health considerations. For many, this is empowering through navigating personal health requirements with dignity, kindness, and respect at the forefront, also resulting in a higher quality of life.
- Support across domestic assistance. Whether those seeking care are looking to make sure their home is always clean and tidy, pursuing help for their flourishing herb gardens, or building a personal routine across all areas of domestic chores, Lifestyle Attendents are there to provide support. We all desire to feel safe and nurtured in our own homes – through the provision of domestic assistance that’s personalised to individual needs, Lifestyle Attendants can improve their everyday quality of life and the enjoyment they feel in their home.
- Support for accessing the community. Attending social events, exploring the area, hanging out with friends, going to work – Lifestyle Attendants support those in need in living their lives to the full, including through engagement with the broader community. Carers provide support to run errands, get to school, engage with other NDIS services, and more. Inherently, this accessibility is crucial to the ongoing empowerment of individuals living with disability. With access to transportation and support from Lifestyle Attendants in a wide range of locations, people living with disability have more support to pursue their goals and objectives, further fuelling their quality of life.
- Support coordination. Through the provision of NDIS support coordination, it’s important that individuals make sure they’re achieving the highest value possible out of their NDIS plans. This means prioritising areas that directly correlate to individual needs, ensuring your feedback is heard and implemented throughout each element of your plan design. With a focus on long-term outcomes and solutions, choice and control is kept in the hands of the individual through unique approaches.
The role of communication in enhancing quality of life and empowerment outcomes
If you’re an individual living with disability, effective communication is one way you can ensure a high quality of life and empowered outcomes are achieved through your support services. Communication is the tool that connects support providers, such as Lifestyle Attendants, with those whom they’re supporting. Clear, open communication that allows you to express your needs, preferences, and desires is crucial.
Conclusion
If you’re an individual living with disability looking for support to enhance your quality of life or to achieve your goals in an empowered manner, it’s important to find a holistic support team to join you in every step of the journey.
