Transitioning from Hospitals and RAC to Supported Disability Accommodation (SDA) 

If you are in the position that many people with disability and complex support needs find themselves, you may be eager to leave hospital, rehabilitation, or aged care (RAC).  Like others before you, you are probably finding that the path to living in SDA can be quite complex. Guardian Living has successfully supported many people in that journey, and has learnt many things about the process, both good and bad. 

Regaining Control of Your Daily Life 

For a start, a daily routine for personal care, meal preparation and activities either at home or in the community will need translating – from being dictated to you because of a pressured staffing roster organised to suit the setting itself, into one where you have a choice of provider and you can decide when and how you prefer your daily activities to occur. 

The Challenge of Unclear Supports and Funding 

A fundamental challenge for moving from ‘institutional’ settings such as hospitals and RAC settings is that how your supports are best organised can be quite different, and its often not clear what they should look like, until you have actually moved. In turn that might mean that the funding you need from the NDIS to support you in your new housing, may not be fully clear either. 

Understanding Your SDA Eligibility 

Even the type of SDA you will be eligible for, which is determined by the Home and Living Branch of the NDIA, may not be clear while you are still living in RAC or hospital. You may find, as many people before you have done, that what you thought you couldn’t do, is possible when you have the right supports in place, and your housing is well set up for you.  

A typical example is to do with risk – while in a hospital bed just about everything is organised to prevent any risk to you from injury or health deterioration. Your staff team can be prosecuted if they don’t prevent poor outcomes. In SDA, you are a partner in deciding how you want your supports organised.  While no-one wants you to put you at unnecessary risk, living in SDA also means you can determine the supports you need – – that’s called ‘dignity of risk’. That will also likely alter over time, particularly if you’ve had a major change in your circumstances that led to your hospital or RAC admission, and you are still recovering. 

Key Considerations When Transitioning Out of Hospital or RAC 

1. You may need extra supports to help you you transition from ‘managed care’ to being supported through an NDIS plan in your own home (whether that’s SDA or another setting).

2. You may decide its best to have an initial NDIS plan for 3-6 months only, so that it can be reviewed once you have had time to settle into your new SDA housing, and you understand more fully how your supports should be organised.

3. While moving into SDA housing usually requires you to have been approved for SDA funding already, the type of living arrangement that works best for you may not be the same as what you thought while you were still in hospital or RAC. However, the NDIS is not particularly nimble or flexible in changing SDA eligibility, so you may need to ask for a review of your current eligibility, or may need to submit a Change of Circumstances form to get your SDA updated. Your Support Coordinator and a skilled OT are likely to be needed for either of those processes.

All this can mean that the journey from hospital or RAC into SDA may not be a quick one. Finding skilled providers who can work with you through this transition and are willing to take the time to hear what you have to say, is important.  

Guardian Living can assist you in these circumstances, linking you to experienced quality services that have been there with others on this journey, without any obligation.