While some disabled people may need care throughout the clock, there are instances when they and their caregivers may need a break. This break, also known as respite, helps break the monotony of their daily lives while giving the caregivers a chance to recharge and tend to their needs. 

The opportunity to be independent is crucial for the individuals receiving the care as much as it is for the person giving it. And this is where respite can help. So, what is a respite and can you have it in your NDIS plan?

What Is Respite?

According to the NDIS, respite is the short-term support or care provided to caregivers of disabled people. Respite can be an in-home respite, where a trained care worker provides support in the individual’s home, or centre-based respite, where disabled people attend a respite care centre for a short time. 

The purpose of respite under the NDIS is to give caregivers a break from their caring responsibilities and allow them to rest, recharge, and care for their needs. It also aims at providing disabled individuals with a chance to socialise and engage in activities outside their usual routine. Respite services under the NDIS are customisable to meet an individual’s and caregiver’s specific needs and preferences.

How Can You Include Respite In Your NDIS Plan?

Once you consider what’s best for you, you can include respite in your NDIS plan. Afterwards, you will have your NDIS plan review meeting to ensure you have all the funding to cover all the supports you will need and which supports are those.

Choose A Plan Management Option

One way to include respite in your NDIS plan is to choose a plan management option. With NDIS plan management, you can control how to spend your NDIS funds, including on respite services. There are two main types of plan management: self-management and plan management by a third party. With self-management, you are responsible for finding and coordinating your respite services. On the other hand, plan management by a third party involves getting a company or organisation to handle these tasks on your behalf.

Select A Pricing Arrangement

Selecting a pricing arrangement allows you to use your NDIS funds to pay for respite services, another way you can include respite into your NDIS Plan.

NDIS pricing arrangements come in three main categories:

• the self-managed pricing arrangement, 
• the plan-managed pricing arrangement, and 
• the agency-managed pricing arrangement. 

The participant-managed pricing arrangement gives you the most control over how your funds are used, including for respite services. On the other hand, the other two pricing arrangements involve more support and oversight from the NDIS.

Consider Your Budget And Goals

When including respite into your NDIS plan, it’s crucial to consider your individual goals and budgeting. When doing this, consider your respite needs and preferences and the cost of different respite options, as this will help you get a plan designed to meet your specific needs while staying within budget. 

Consider your long-term goals and how respite can help achieve your overall well-being and independence. These factors will help ensure your respite services meet your specific needs and budget.

Talk To Your NDIS Planner

If you need help with how to include respite in your NDIS plan, you should talk to your NDIS plan manager. Your NDIS plan management company is the representative responsible for developing your plan and can help you understand your options for including respite services. They can also guide how to find and select respite providers that meet your needs and budget.

Including respite in your NDIS plan is possible, and there are several ways to do it. However, by taking the time to understand your options and working with your planner, you can ensure that your NDIS plan includes the respite services that are most appropriate and effective for your needs and budget. Respite can be an important resource for caregivers, and by including it in your NDIS plan, you can take steps to support your caring role and improve your overall well-being.