Aids & Equipment

What is available

A range of aids and equipment have been developed to cover different needs:

• Mobility aids help with getting about and with preventing falls
• Personal care aids help with personal activities such as showering and dressing
• Personal safety devices help you to let someone know if you are in trouble
• Home safety aids help with day-to-day activities in and around the home
• Bedding, seating and lifting equipment minimise pressure and skin problems, and help with lifting
• Prosthetic and sensory aids replace a body part or function that is missing or not working properly
• Life support equipment assists with vital functions such as breathing and kidney dialysis
• Communication aids help people who find it difficult to communicate their needs, to read or write without assistance or to use communications technologies.

Help with finding and paying for the right equipment

Aids and equipment can be expensive and it can be difficult to work out what will best support the person you care for. You can contact the Carer Line on 1800 242 636 to discuss the best options for your individual situation. There are also a number of programs and organisations that can provide information and help you access the equipment you need.

Contacts

• Independent Living Centre NSW

For information and advice on a wide range of assistive technologies.

Contact 1300 885 886 or visit www.ilcnsw.asn.au

• Aids and Equipment Program (formerly known as PADP)

Assists eligible residents of NSW who have a life-long or long-term disability to live and participate within their community by providing appropriate equipment, aids and appliances.

Contact EnableNSW on 1800 362 253 or visit www.enable.health.nsw.gov.au

• Australian Hearing Services

Provides a full range of hearing services for children and young people up to the age of 26 and eligible adults including Pensioner Concession Card holders and Aboriginal people aged over 50.

To find out the contact details of your nearest Australian Hearing centre call 131 797 or TTY (02) 9412 6802 or visit www.hearing.com.au

• Continence Aids Payment Scheme (CAPS)

The CAPS is an Australian Government Scheme that provides a payment to assist eligible people who have permanent and severe incontinence to meet some of the costs of their incontinence products.

Contact the National Continence Helpline on 1800 330 066 or visit www.bladderbowel.gov.au