Context
In 2008 the Physical Disability Council of
New South Wales (PDCN) carried out a survey of
people with disabilities across New South Wales.
In total 551 surveys were commenced and 335 were
completed. The broad goal of the survey was to
investigate the impact of ageing on people with
a disability in a number of key areas: Personal
Assistance, Mobility/Transport, Housing, Social
Networks, Health/Disability and Financial
Security.
Methodology
The survey was developed by people who have
physical disabilities associated with the
Council and piloted in February in one region.
The final survey contained open-ended questions
on the current levels of need and the
anticipated levels of need and concerns about
meeting the need. Survey respondents were only
asked to fill in their post code in order to
protect confidentiality.
The survey was distributed by mail through
existing networks and electronically during
March to July 2008 and returned to the Council
or accessed electronically.
An overall report was produced to enable
identification of key areas of need across New
South Wales as well as regional issues.
Findings
About 43 percent of people receive personal
assistance from spouse/partner or family
members. People expressed concern about the
availability of personal assistance in terms of
current and future need where the health of
family carers could decline.
Most people reported personal mobility
through aids, wheelchairs and/or scooters and 43
percent of people drive a vehicle. The lack of
accessible parking at shopping and medical
centers was evident in the responses. The degree
of mobility determines access to social
activities, essential goods and services and
thus people who are not mobile are restricted to
community transport and public transport which
as noted by many people are inadequate owing to
the lack of bus services and accessible buses,
particularly in some regional (Nepean, Central
Coast) and rural areas (Riverina/Murray,
Illawarra) but also in urban areas. In addition,
community transport arrangements are inadequate
in some regions (Central Coast, Hunter). For
some people who use wheelchair accessible taxis
the cost, availability and reliability of
accessible taxis sometimes prohibit the use in
times of need. Overall, people spoke of the need
for accessible footpaths and seating in public
spaces.
About one third of people surveyed live in
the family home. Eleven percent of people
surveyed reported a need for home modifications
as personal mobility decreased. There is also
need for affordable and accessible housing for
people ageing with a disability and some people
expressed concern at the cost and availability
of aged care accommodation whereas others
expressed a desire to remain at home.
Despite the high percentage of people who
live alone (20 %) social needs are currently
being met through participation in community
organisations, recreational or leisure
activities, volunteer and paid work, friends,
family, religious networks and organisations and
specific support services. Overall people
expressed concern about the potential for social
isolation as their needs increased and the
health of family members who provide assistance
declines.
People in rural areas identified a need for
more medical professionals. Difficulties
encountered by people in meeting health needs
included inflexible transport arrangements after
hours in times of ill health, long waiting times
and high costs associated with medical visits.
In addition, there is a lack of knowledge about
some conditions among medical professionals and
a need for specialised clinics and training. The
shortage of funding for prosthetics (PADP
Program) was also an area of concern.
Most people are concerned about the future in
terms of financial security. Some people are
concerned about retirement, when they cannot
afford to maintain homes and vehicles. Others
are concerned about the future costs of aged
care housing as the population ages. Particular
areas that provoke anxiety about insufficient
future funding include health, personal care,
housing services and facilities.
Implications for Policy and Practice
- Inter-agency co-ordination and flexible
service delivery
- Increased funding for people with
disability and their families to meet the
costs associated with disability
- Increased funding for personal
assistance
- Provision of accessible infrastructure,
such as parking, public transport and
additional subsidy for wheelchair taxis
- Strategies to maintain driving skills in
older citizens.
- Funding for affordable, accessible
housing and subsidy for home modification to
existing housing
- Funding for more doctors in rural areas,
training and specialised clinics
Summary
- Results of the Physicial Disability Council's 2008 Survey
on the Impact of Ageing on people with a disability
