Outcome 6: health and wellbeing

People with disability are supported to attain the highest possible health throughout their lives.

Action 1: Develop a suite of disability and health interface policies.

• Lead responsibility: Disability SA
• Timeframe: 31 December 2015
• Measurable target: Suite of disability and health interface policies delivered.

Action 2: Complete the Challenging Domestic Environments Project to ensure consistency in staff knowledge and support to people living in squalor and other challenging situations to enable those clients to remain safe and healthy.

• Lead responsibility: Domiciliary Care
• Timeframe: 31 December 2014
• Measurable target: Staff resources developed and staff training completed.

Action 3: Implement We Care: Our Carers Plan for South Australia across applicable South Australian Government departments.

• Lead responsibility: Community Services
• Timeframe: 31 December 2014
• Measurable target: Assistance provided to applicable government departments to set targets against We Care. 
• Lead responsibility: Community Services
• Timeframe: 30 June 2015
• Measurable target: Applicable departments have reported good practice examples against one or more of their targets.

Health and disability collaboration can lead to returning home after injury

As a result of a motorbike accident, Steve had a spinal cord injury and limited use of his limbs. On completing his rehabilitation, he was assessed as being unable to return home because of the need for assistance with everyday tasks including personal care.

Steve used an electric wheelchair to get around and although he wanted to live in the community, he was worried about leaving the rehabilitation centre. Steve was depressed and anxious and needed time to come to terms with, and be supported through, this major life transition.

Steve thought that his increasing dependence on the support received in the centre was not assisting his recovery. Consultation between the centre and Disability SA resulted in supported accommodation being identified that could provide the physical and emotional support Steve required to learn new skills and participate safely in the community.

Without the collaboration between SA Health and Disability SA, through the Disability Transition to Community Funding program, this option would not have been possible.

Steve would like to live independently in the future and is working towards this goal. 

Contact

Disability SA
Phone: +61 8 8415 4250
Email: dcsi.disabilitysa@sa.gov.au