We are thrilled to share that Assured Home Care has received approval to feature the Brand SA logo.

As a family-owned and operated business, we take pride in our 15-year history of offering support services in metro Adelaide and, more recently, the past 12 months in Whyalla.

If you’re in search of a locally owned and operated NDIS provider, we invite you to connect with our intake team today. Your journey to quality care starts here.

It has been a busy start to the new year, can you believe we are almost at the end February already?

Since the start of the new year, there has been a change in leadership at Assured Home Care following Michael Chant leaving late last year.

Since then, Julie and Michael de Jong have been back in the office a lot more often recently, working alongside Sabah Izzet, General Manager and the management team in continuing to grow Assured Home Care. In fact, Julie and Michael are both currently in Whyalla working on our expansion in regional South Australia.

It is an exciting time at Assured Home Care, and we look forward to seeing what is to come over the next few months.

The Review looked at: 

• the Scheme’s design, operations and sustainability 
• how to build a more responsive, supportive and sustainable market and workforce. 

The National Disability Insurance Agency appreciates the work of the Review Panel and Co-Chairs and all the community members who contributed input into the Review.  

Find the link to the full report here: https://www.ndis.gov.au/about-us/improving-ndis/ndis-review

Here’s a snapshot of what we found:

• 97% of clients are satisfied with our Support Staff.
• 84% of clients are content with their involvement in setting up supports.
• Overall, we achieved an 80% satisfaction rating.
• 76% of respondents expressed satisfaction with the variety of supports we offer.

These results provide valuable insights as we continue to enhance our services in the upcoming year. Your continued support is greatly appreciated, and we’re eager to work on these areas to better serve you in 2024.

Thank you for choosing Assured Home Care.

It was great to have 2 of our participants in Tanya and Jeshua join us for a few hours in the booth, thank you so much for taking the time to spend with us.

We are already looking forward to a bigger and better 2024 event!

The PACE system is built upon the foundation of Salesforce CRM, meticulously crafted by the NDIA, exclusively for the NDIS. This tailored design ensures that PACE is finely attuned to the unique needs of NDIS participants and their service providers.

Some key insights into PACE include:

1. New Provider Portal: The forthcoming provider portal will be gradually introduced to replace the current version (myplace). This transition will bring forth the following functionalities:

• Providers will gain access to comprehensive participant and plan information. 
• Support Coordinators will be empowered to submit Requests for Service through PACE.

2. Novel Functions and Controls: A noteworthy feature on the horizon is the introduction of ‘participant-endorsed providers.’ This function establishes a direct relationship between the provider and the participant, with participant approval being a requisite.

3. Service Booking Evolution: The upcoming changes will relieve providers of the need to create service bookings. Instead, they will gain access to the Participant’s plans within the NDIS system during the plan implementation stage.

4. Transition Away from Single Claims: The existing single claim function is set to be phased out, with all claims being mandated to be submitted via a bulk upload process.

5. Shifts in Support Types and Categories: Anticipate the addition of new support categories and the renaming of some existing ones. 

For existing Participants, the transition to the new system will occur when their plans are reassessed. New Participants, on the other hand, will embark on their NDIS journey through the PACE system upon joining the scheme.

We kindly ask our valued clients to stay tuned for further updates as we journey together through these transformative enhancements within the NDIS. At Assured Home Care, your experience is our priority, and we are here to support you every step of the way. 

The video recording was a fun experience for all participants who demonstrated their great qualities as spontaneous actors! From clients sharing their experiences being supported by Assured Home Care, staff members commenting on what is like to work in disability services, to our CEO, Michael Chant, commenting on the vision and services of Assured Home Care, all enjoyed fun times in front of the camera.

Assured Home Care partnered with Aiden van Nielen Video for the recording of the videos, and the general public can see them all at Assured Home Care YouTube Channel.

“It was not really a normal day”, Michael states, “I dropped Julie off at Ashford hospital for a day procedure, and I woke up feeling unwell. I told myself I would head back to bed once I drop her off and sleep it off”.

“When she called a few hours later to be picked up, I knew something was wrong. At that stage, I wasn’t sure, but I thought it could be having a stroke. Since nobody was home, and I couldn’t talk nor could I use my mobile, I made the decision to drive to the hospital to get help. 

“In hindsight,” Michael says ”It probably wasn’t the best decision, as I could have had an accident, however, I was thankful I made it to the hospital”. 

Once at the hospital the nursing staff recognised the signs straight away and called an ambulance. They also administered some medication, and Michael was rush to the Royal Adelaide Hospital.

“After I was admitted to hospital, it was confirmed that I had, indeed, had a stroke. At that stage, the hospital staff wanted to urgently identify the time that the stroke had started happening, because this, as I was later to learn, is a critical factor in what treatment you receive and how effective it will be.” Michael shares.

“As his wife, I felt helpless, scared and confused “, Julie said, “I guess I was in shock, I didn’t really know what was happening, and what to expect. The hospital staff were very supportive, and they had a dedicated stroke nurse who kept me informed on what the doctors were saying. It was a confusing time, because Michael couldn’t identify what a simple object was, for example, when the doctor pointed to his watch, and asked Michael what it was, he said it was a cup.” I thought he was being silly, I didn’t really know what to think, it was very confronting and scary”.

Michael spent the next 2 weeks in the royal Adelaide hospital and was then transferred to FMC for 2 more weeks. During his hospital stays he had lots of care, and rehabilitation and rest. 

“You don’t realise how tired a stroke victim gets “ Julie said, “they have had an injury to their brain, the doctors describe it as having a bruise on their brain that needs rest and time to recover”. 

The first 6 months is when the most healing happens, however it can take 2 years to fully recover from a stroke, or at least to get to a new normal.

Michael is home now and has resumed a slower lifestyle to the one prior to the stroke. Before the stroke, Michael was very busy, besides working fulltime at Assured Home Care, he was also heavily involved in his church community, his grandson’s basketball team, as well as doing charitable work in the community such as bread deliveries to those in need and serving in the aboriginal and youth ministry in Ceduna.  

“As much as he would love to resume these activities again, he simply hasn’t got the capacity to do even half of what he used to”, Julie said. “He needs to ensure rest is a major part of his daily routine, otherwise he struggles with major fatigue which can affect his mood and cause irritation. It’s certainly an adjustment for us both, and we are learning and adapting to this new pace.”

Michael would like to bring awareness to all our support workers about the signs and symptoms of a stroke, but also the lifestyle factors that can lead to it. Please check out the stroke Australia website for more information.

Each year the UN announces a global theme, providing a specific area of focus for how we can all work to create a more inclusive world. With the theme for 2020 being,

“Building Back Better: toward a disability-inclusive, accessible and sustainable post-COVID-19 World”.

IDPwD Australia has supplemented this theme with a focus on challenging stereotypes around disability, using the hashtag #DisableSterotypes to ask us to see the ability in disability. Recognising the achievement, talent, contribution and perseverance of all people living with a disability.

This year for IDPwD Australia have worked closely with award-winning writer Carly Findlay OAM to share features on Australian’s living with a disability including Dr. Dinesh Palipana OAM, artist Oliver Mills and social entrepreneur Nipuni Wijewickrema among others.

Dr. Dinesh Palipana

Dr. Dinesh Palipana, OAM is the first quadriplegic doctor to graduate from medical school in Queensland and only the second in Australia.

At 24, while partway through his medical degree, Dinesh acquired a spinal cord injury as the result of a car accident which affects his fingers and everything below his chest.

Despite these new challenges, Dinesh returned to medical school to finish his degree and began his career as a doctor in 2017.

Today Dinesh works in one of the busiest emergency departments in Australia, at the Gold Coast University Hospital and is a strong advocate for people with disability working in the medical profession.

Oliver Mills

Oliver Mills is an Adelaide based author, artist, poet and speaker. Oliver also has cerebral palsy, epilepsy and vision impairment.

Mentored by local artist Henry ‘Jock’ Walker, Oliver had been making art since 2010, with a focus on abstract expressionism.

Being non-verbal, Oliver says art “gives me another way to communicate how I feel or what I think about life.”

At 32 years old, being as independent as possible is important to Oliver with his creative pursuits helping to provide a sense of accomplishment.

“I also enjoy exhibiting artwork and selling my paintings or greeting cards; I like feeling successful,” he says.

Oliver’s art has been adapted into IDPwD Australia’s 2020 promotional lapel pin.

‘Nip’ Wijewickrema

Social entrepreneur, Nipuni ‘Nip’ Wijewickrema is the co-founder of GG’s Flowers, a floristry business that employs over 35 people with a disability.

Nip was inspired to create GG’s Flowers by her sister Gayana who has Down Syndrome. Wanting to support her sister’s aspirations by providing an opportunity for meaningful employment.

Since 2013, GG’s Flowers has grown from a tiny home business to a thriving enterprise which passionately supports the community.

Beyond providing employment opportunities to people living with a disability GG’s is also an NDIS Provider, offering community access programs, innovative social community participation and even weekly Boot-Camp sessions!

Nip’s passion and support for the community is palpable.

“It’s such an honour and a privilege to work with people with disabilities, every day,” Nip says.

“I get up to work and I’m like, ‘this is awesome,’ I love that.”

Celebrating the achievements of our own community.

As stated by Assured Home Care Director and CEO, Julie de Jong;

“On the 3rd of December, Assured Home Care along with the international community, want to join with our clients and their families in recognising the contribution and valued role that people with disabilities play in our community.

It is a day for optimism and celebration, as we continue working together to create a society where a person is not characterised by their disabilities, but by their abilities.

At Assured Home Care are we are committed to making a positive difference in people’s life every day and working towards diverse, accepting communities.”

So join us this Thursday, December 3, as we celebrate the achievements and contributions of 4.4 Million Australians living with a disability!

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To find out more about International Day of People with a Disability, visit the IDPwD Australia website: https://www.idpwd.com.au

With so much passion for the sport, Bob and Deirdre are only too willing to share their knowledge and expertise with others.

So, in 1995 when Yachting SA discussed introducing a ‘Sailability’ program to SA, the Schahingers were quick to support the idea, agreeing to help run the program out of the Adelaide Sailing Club at West Beach.

Originating in the UK, Sailability is a global program that promotes the growing culture of inclusion in the sport. In their words;

“Sailability enriches the lives of people of all abilities – the elderly, the financially and socially disadvantaged as well as people with physical and intellectual challenges.”

In 2008, nine years after launching Sailability in SA, Bob and Deirdre helped found Dis-Able Sailing Inc., a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to providing opportunities for people of all abilities to participate in the sport.

With assistance from generous sponsors, grants, and donations they set about purchasing Freedom, a custom-built 25-foot ballasted keel boat. With a roomy cockpit and very simple controls, making it an excellent boat to simply cruise in or learn the basics of sailing and gain confidence before tackling more complex craft.

Between pleasure cruises and group classes, Freedom regularly competes in ‘mixed’ competitions around SA, combining able-bodied crews with people of differing needs sailing side-by-side.

“Being able to participate in a team sport is beneficial for anyone, let alone those who are often told ‘you can’t do this’” says Deirdre.

Referencing the limited attitude some able-bodied people still hold in regards to those living with a disability.

But in sailing, that view is changing.

“This is the only sport in the world that’s accessible to people of all abilities,” says Deirdre.

“Unlike other sports that rely mostly on physicality, sailing is more about equipment, technique and tactics,” Bob explained.

This may seem astonishing to people unfamiliar with the sport; having seen people possessing wide-ranging abilities competing globally, Bob notes some of the most competitive World Cup Event sailors are wheelchair users.

Bob and Deirdre share the story of the late Andrew Hartley…

In 2003, Andrew became the second ventilator-dependant quadriplegic in the world to sail solo in a specially designed Access keelboat.

“We knew it would be a challenge,” says Deirdre.

“But since he already knew how to sail, his biggest hurdle was already overcome. We just had to get him a boat he could sail in safely.”

Assisting the Hartley family in fundraising and grant applications, Bob and Deirdre were able to help realise Andrew’s dream.

“We were all nervous watching him go out on his first solo run,” says Deirdre.

“But as soon as he caught the wind, he just reacted automatically, at one with the boat leaning into the wind and flying down the beach.”

“We all burst into tears. It’s moments like that, that make it all worthwhile.”

Andrew went on to compete in the 2004 IFDS Single Person Disabled World Championships, becoming the only ventilated quadriplegic to compete independently in a World Championship for ANY sport.

Enjoying Freedom

Currently Dis-Able Sailing Inc. operates out of the Royal SA Yacht Squadron in Outer Harbor, where Freedom is berthed.

While Freedom is more accessible than most boats it cannot accommodate wheelchair users who are unable to weight-bear.

However, the Adelaide Sailing Club at West Beach has both a personal hoist and several Hansa mini keelboats suitable for wheelchair users, available at their Sailability program on selected Sundays during the summer months.

The Dis-Able Sailing Inc. program runs Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday*, weather permitting all year round. The cost is $10 donation per person. Participants are asked to bring their own lunch to be enjoyed on the Quarterdeck at the Squadron which has accessible facilities.

If you, or someone you know may be interested in experiencing the freedom of sailing, you can contact:

Bob & Deirdre Schahinger on:
Ph: 0404 033 327
Email: sahobie@bigpond.net.au

Dis-Able Sailing Inc. is a not-for-profit organisation run by passionate volunteers, fully supported by grants and donations. If you would like to help support Dis-Able Sailing please see the contact details above or visit their website, or visit www.dsi.org.au

*Some restrictions are currently in place due to CVOID-19, contact the Squadron to confirm availability.

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Sailability SA have groups at four clubs around South Australia, including:

Adelaide Sailing Club
Deirdre Schahinger
Ph: 0404 033 327

Goolwa Regatta Yacht Club
Brian Southcott
Ph.: 0408 553 210 or Ian Barker: 0411 207 446

Port Adelaide Sailing Club
John Johnston
Ph: 0417 813 188

Murray Bridge Water Activities Club
Ian Rick
Ph: 0414 870 932