Sometimes the unexpected happens. You face a sudden change in your circumstance; a crisis occurs; you come down with a serious illness that requires hospitalisation; your carer needs respite or is temporarily unable to look after you. During those times, it is important to have access to safe accommodation where you receive the care you need.
Sunshine Disabilities and Home Care Services offers temporary accommodation for people with disabilities, helping them stay connected to the community rather than face a lengthy hospital stay or premature placement in an aged care facility. Under the NDIS, this type of accommodation is called Short Term Accommodation and Medium Term Accommodation. Here is a guide explaining what both types of accommodation are, and what we offer to help those in need.
What is Short Term Accommodation (STA)?
Under the NDIS, Short Term Accommodation (often referred to as STA) is temporary supported accommodation for a period of 2-6 weeks, available through the Core funding of your plan.
Short Term Accommodation funding replaces what used to be called ‘respite’ (i.e. alternative care arrangements for when carers need a break or are unable to perform their caring duties). Although it may seem a bit confusing at first, funding for respite is still available for participants and their carers, but it is now provided as ‘Short Term Accommodation and Assistance’.
What is Medium Term Accommodation?
Medium Term Accommodation (also known as MTA) refers to transitional accommodation for NDIS participants who are preparing to move into a more permanent home. The NDIS funds Medium Term Accommodation for eligible participants for up to 90 days. This is so people living with disabilities aren’t forced into an aged care facility or made to wait in hospital longer than they need to.
Who can access Medium Term Accommodation (MTA)?
MTA is available to eligible NDIS participants who require temporary transitional housing while they wait for their more permanent home to become ready or available to use. It could be used in the following circumstances:
as bridging accommodation for younger people who are at risk of being admitted (or who want to leave) an aged care home- participants who are ready to leave hospital but are waiting for home modifications, assisted technology or support equipment to be placed in their home
- those who are eligible for Specialist Disability Accommodation, but need somewhere to stay while they are waiting for a vacancy or for a build to be completed
What type of STA and MTA do you offer?
Sunshine Disabilities and Home Care Services provides high quality STA and MTA apartments where you can have all your support needs met while participating in capacity building programs and fun activities.
Our self-contained, modern units are fully furnished with 2 to 3 bedrooms, and we have a maximum of 2 participants in each apartment. Our homes are situated close to public transport, shops and amenities. They are also fully accessible, with home modifications and assisted technology to suit individual needs.
Are your apartments specialist disability accommodation (SDA) homes?
Yes, we offer 140 apartments that are registered with the NDIS as SDA dwellings.
Where are your STA and MTA apartments located?
We currently have up to 150 modern and fully accessible SDA units available across the Sydney metro region. Our units are located in Parramatta, Merrylands, Blacktown, Quakers Hill, Carlingford, Pendle Hill, Mount Druitt and Peakhurst.
What support will I receive will staying in STA and MTA?
Our STA and MTA services are able to support a wide range of needs, from behavioural issues to personal care, clinical support, 24/7 care and meeting complex support needs. We offer:
- home modifications and assisted technology
- fresh and nutritious meals provided throughout the day, including breakfast, lunch, dinner, morning and afternoon tea
- all needs met with round the clock personal care and support
- medical and nursing support, including an Emergency Medicine Specialist, Pain Management Specialist, GPs, Psychiatrist, Geriatrician, Nephrologist and a Clinical Nurse
- allied health therapists, including Occupational Therapists, Speech Pathologists, Dietitians and Exercise Physiologists
- Counselling and clinical psychology services
- specialist support coordination
- complex clinical care, including peg tube feeding assistance, tracheotomy, renal dialysis, indwelling catheter care and cardiac management
- Behaviour Intervention support
- Assisted transport
- Disability Employment support
- 24/7 care from support workers
