5 ways for carers to beat NDIS pre-planning anxiety

As a carer of an adult or child with disability, you will most likely have a role (whether significant or minor) in supporting the person you care for through the various stages of their NDIS journey. You’re not alone if you feel anxious about this, particularly in the lead up to the NDIS planning meeting, which can determine what is funded in the NDIS plan!

It can be particularly stressful if the person you care for has limited capacity for decision making or communication, so the bulk of the preparation work and decisions rest with you.

Here are 5 tips to help you reduce some of that (well-justified) anxiety.

1. Speak with someone who understands the NDIS
   It’s a great idea to talk to someone who knows the NDIS, before the planning meeting of the person you care for. You can talk with your current service provider or attend information meetings that NDIS and Local Area Coordinators (LACs) provide. Alternatively, if you prefer to discuss your specific circumstances why not book a free one-one-one discussion with Yooralla? Don’t forget to write down any specific questions you have before you speak with us, so you cover all the important stuff! You can also contact Yooralla Connect to ask any questions you have, or to get support to help you prepare.
2. Get familiar with some of the NDIS language
   The NDIS isn’t the easiest thing to understand if you are new to it, particularly the many acronyms! However, there are plenty of resources out there which explain it in easy to understand language. Yooralla has free guides to the NDIS for adults and children. If you prefer to speak to someone about the NDIS, you can contact Yooralla Connect.
3. Consider writing a carers statement
   Having a carers statement written down to give to the planner can help allay concerns you may have about discussing (and remembering) some of details about the person you care for, particularly if you are worried about getting emotional during the discussion, or if English is your second language.
4. Arrive at your planning meeting feeling prepared
   We find that people tend to get better NDIS plans when they take time before the NDIS planning meeting to prepare. When preparing, it can help to complete Yooralla’s checklist of information to take to the planning meeting, and our activity planner which can help you write down all the things the person you care for wants included in their NDIS plan. Download Yooralla’s free guide to prepare for the NDIS for adults or our free guide on the NDIS for children.
5. Know that your preparation will be worth it in the end!
   We hear stories all the time of how the NDIS has improved the independence and social and economic participation of adults and children with disability; and the subsequent affect to carers’ lives. One great thing about the NDIS is that outcomes are measured for NDIS participants as well as their family and carers, so a NDIS plan can be adjusted if outcomes indicate it isn’t adequately supporting a participant to achieve their goals.

Yooralla is here to support people with disability and their carers with their NDIS journey. Yooralla Connect can talk to you about any questions you have, or to support you to prepare.