Blog

11 Oct 21

How using NDIS funding for a MePACS alarm can help people living with disability

MePACS Team | NDIS News & Info

Ensuring the welfare and safety of people living with disability is a common goal for loved ones, carers, health organisations and the Australian government.

Under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), eligible people living with disability can receive funding to afford, coordinate and access the support they need to improve their life skills and independence.

NDIS funding is provided through certain categories, one of which is capital support. Capital supports help NDIS participants afford necessary equipment, home or vehicle modifications and assistive technologies.

Read our  MePACS NDIS Guide to see how to apply for a MePACS alarm with NDIS funding.

Assistive technologies enable people living with disability to be an active participant in the community and communicate with other people, process information and complete daily tasks.

A MePACS alarm is considered assistive technology as it can increase independence and safety for a NDIS participant.

With a personal alarm for the home and a mobile or watch alarm for out and about, NDIS participants can benefit significantly from the 24/7 emergency response service, which is responded to by trained professionals and answered within two minutes of someone pressing the button on their MePACS alarm.

Both Sandy and Theresa still live independently in their own homes, thanks to the safety and security that MePACS provides.

Sandy’s story

Sandy uses her NDIS funding to help live independently in her own home in Melbourne. As a result of Muscular dystrophy, she has a pacemaker and limited mobility, which means she can be prone to falls.

Sandy had to use her MePACS alarm in an emergency situation after experiencing severe pain.

“I was experiencing pain in my neck and back and was also having trouble breathing,” she said.

“The MePACS response operator answered my call within a minute. I was so reassured to know an ambulance was on the way.”

MePACS also caller her sister Brenda as the first contact, and she arrived shortly before the ambulance. Sandy was taken to hospital where she remained for the rest of the day.

“When I returned home, I knew that if I had any future falls I would receive help quickly. I have no hesitation in pressing my MePACS alarm, it gives me peace of mind knowing someone is there.”

Read more of Sandy’s story

Theresa’s story

Theresa is living with Friedreich’s ataxia, which is a rare genetic disease that causes difficulty in walking, a loss of sensation in the limbs and impaired speech. She uses a wheelchair, but still lives independently in her own home.

“When I had a bad fall, I was concerned that I wouldn’t be able to ring for help if I didn’t have my phone,” she said.

“This incident encouraged me to get additional support and take up the MePACS service. I need the assistance of someone I could rely on any time of the day or night.”

Maintaining her independence is extremely important to Theresa, and having a MePACS personal alarm allows her to feel safe and secure at home.

“I always make sure I have my MePACS alarm on me, as I don’t want to think what may happen without it.”

Read more of Theresa’s story

 

For Sandy and Theresa, a MePACS personal alarm provided by their NDIS funding allows them to feel safe and secure in their own homes. Call MePACS on 1800 685 329 for more information on NDIS funding and how MePACS can help.

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