Adapting with dignity: How Health On Call supports ageing NDIS participants

As Australia's population continues to age, the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is seeing a growing number of participants who are not only living with disability but also navigating the natural challenges of ageing. For these individuals, aged care and disability support intersect in complex ways that require specialised, sensitive approaches. This is where providers like Health On Call play a vital role—ensuring that ageing participants receive care that evolves with them while maintaining dignity, autonomy, and quality of life.

In this blog, we explore the growing demand for tailored NDIS support for older Australians and how Health On Call is uniquely positioned to meet their changing needs.

Understanding the Ageing NDIS Participant

Although the NDIS is designed for people under 65 when they enter the scheme, many participants remain on the NDIS as they age. With better access to supports and services, people with disabilities are living longer lives—but longer life comes with its own health shifts.

Ageing participants may experience:

• Increased frailty

• Chronic illnesses like diabetes, arthritis, or cardiovascular disease

• Cognitive decline, including early-stage dementia

• Reduced mobility and increased falls risk

• Emotional or social isolation

These changes often require more than basic disability support. Participants need care that’s medically informed, emotionally supportive, and adaptable—care that recognises them as people first, not just patients or participants.

The Challenges of Dual Needs: Disability & Ageing

Caring for someone who is both ageing and living with a disability is a specialised area of support. It’s not as simple as merging aged care with disability services. Some of the challenges include:

• Complex medication regimens that require nursing oversight

• Cognitive changes that demand skilled behavioural support

• Communication barriers—especially when hearing, vision, or cognition deteriorates

• Navigating two systems (NDIS and aged care) when the participant turns 65

• Preserving autonomy in the face of increasing dependency

Providers must be equipped not only with qualified staff but also the right mindset—one that respects the participant’s lived experience and supports their independence while proactively addressing new needs.

How Health On Call Supports Ageing Participants

Health On Call, as a registered NDIS provider with strong healthcare roots, is ideally positioned to meet these challenges head-on. Their model is not “one-size-fits-all.” Instead, they provide layered care that evolves as participants do.

Here’s how they support ageing NDIS participants:

1. Nursing-Led Assessments and Oversight

As participants age, new medical needs can emerge. Health On Call deploys registered nurses to perform regular health assessments, create personalised care plans, and provide oversight for chronic conditions, wound care, or mobility changes.

2. Continuity of Care Across Life Stages

Unlike many traditional providers, Health On Call does not "pass the baton" when participants turn 65. Their services grow with the individual—ensuring continuity even as plans evolve or participants enter dual funding streams.

3. Staff Trained in Aged Disability Support

Support workers are trained to understand the nuances of working with older individuals with disabilities. They are equipped to manage physical transfers safely, communicate with individuals with dementia or sensory loss, and deliver support with dignity.

4. Focus on Social & Emotional Well-being

Isolation and loneliness are common among ageing participants, particularly if mobility or cognition declines. Health On Call prioritises social inclusion, emotional care, and companionship—ensuring participants feel seen and valued.

5. Holistic Approach to Independence

The goal is not to do more for the participant, but to enable them to do more with support. Whether it’s using assistive devices, facilitating community access, or supporting home modifications, Health On Call’s team helps ageing participants maintain control over their daily lives.

Navigating the Transition to Aged Care

When participants approach or pass the age of 65, the system shifts. They may stay in the NDIS or transition to the aged care system depending on eligibility and preferences. This can be a confusing and emotional time for participants and families.

Health On Call acts as a guide—helping families understand their options, liaising with planners or case managers, and ensuring that support remains seamless. Their commitment to continuity, clinical excellence, and personal dignity makes them a trusted ally during this transition.

Final Thoughts

Ageing with disability doesn’t mean giving up independence or quality of life. It simply means care must evolve. With a compassionate, clinically-informed approach, Health On Call ensures that ageing NDIS participants aren’t left behind—but are instead supported to adapt with dignity, comfort, and confidence.

By combining nursing excellence, personalised planning, and empathetic care delivery, Health On Call is redefining what it means to grow older under the NDIS.