DisabilityCare Australia will provide support to people with permanent and significant disabilities. It will give these people and their families the opportunity to participate in community activities by connecting them with appropriate service providers enabling involvement in social, study, employment or other interests.

From July this year DisabilityCare Australia began rolling out across areas of Victoria, New South Wales, South Australia and Tasmania, and will gradually progress to a national program over the next few years. 

It is important to understand that DisabilityCare Australia does not support all forms of disability. There are specific guidelines for those able to make use of the new system. These include:

• the disability must be significant and permanent, meaning you’re unable to join in activities or do things at home or in the community without assistive technology, equipment, home modifications or support from other people;

• you must be under the age of 65 to first become a participant; and

• the disability may be attributed to intellectual, cognitive, neurological, sensory, physical or psychiatric conditions.

When DisabilityCare Australia eventually goes national, it is estimated to support half a million Australians.

One of Australia’s leading causes of disability is stroke, and this month from September 9-15, we have National Stroke Week taking place.

National Stroke Week is dedicated to spreading important messages amongst Australians about stroke recognition and prevention. Stroke is, after all, our second biggest killer. It is responsible for more female deaths than breast cancer and more male deaths than prostate cancer.

While strokes are not always fatal, they can seriously affect mobility, daily activities and relationships with family as well as a person’s emotional and psychological state.

The good news is that many strokes are preventable – experts recommend:

• do all you can to keep your blood pressure low, e.g. avoid smoking and make healthy eating choices;

• manage cholesterol levels;

• maintain a healthy weight; and

• be physically active.

DisabilityCare Australia is likely to help some people that have suffered permanent disability as a result of a stroke. However, it’s important to remember that the focus of DisabilityCare Australia is on providing support services to individuals with a disabilty and their families. It does not replace the need to ensure you have appropriate insurance cover in place. In particular, DisabilityCare Australia does not cover premature death or temporary disabilities, and also does not look after such financial issues as debt, mortgage or loss of income. Given the significant financial responsibilities many family face, this is a very important consideration that should not be overlooked.

The Count Charitable Foundation proudly supports The National Stroke Foundation
“The National Stroke Foundation values the ongoing support of the Count Charitable Foundation,” says John Boyle, Divisional Director, Income Development at the National Stroke Foundation. “Their donations actively support our mission to stop stroke, save lives and end suffering. It is estimated that 65% of the 420,000 people currently living with stroke in Australia also suffer a disability that impedes their ability to carry out daily living activities unassisted. The Count Charitable Foundation is helping to improve stroke services for these individuals by supporting the implementation of programs such as My Stroke Journey, an essential toolkit for navigating life after stroke.”