Life
Planning and Independence
Parkinson’s poses uncertainties
about the future. At some point, you may need to examine
your financial plans, insurance coverage, housing needs,
and other practical issues, to build information for long-term
life planning.
Listed below are
some starting points for getting the information you need
to navigate the service system and find the assistance you
need.
Legal
and Financial matters
Driving
and transport
Aids
and Equipment
Concessions
Legal
and Financial matters
Work
Welfare Wills
The Chronic Illness
Alliance has set up a website that provides information
about considerations regarding financial and legal matters
when you are living with a chronic illness such as Parkinson's.
This website covers important issues to consider such as:
- Health information privacy
- Superannuation and Insurance
- Centrelink entitlements
- Wills
- Considerations to make when organising Powers
of Attorney and Guardianship
- Travel Insurance
Click
here to visit the 'Work Welfare Wills' website
Driving
and Transport
Reporting
your condition Vic Roads
If you have Parkinson's
and still drive, you are required to report your condition
to Vic Roads. This does not mean that you will have to automatically
surrender your licence. It does mean that you will need
to get a medical report completed by your doctor to assess
you as being fit to drive. Your doctor may refer you for
a driving assessment if neccessary.
Reporting your
health condition to Vic Roads protects both yourself and
the community. By having a valid assessment stating that
you are competent to drive, you are protecting yourself
legally, and for insurance purposes, should an altercation
arise.
Click
here for the Vic Roads website providing information about
Driving with a Medical Condition
Patient
Transport Services
If you are not
able to drive and require transport to attend a medical
appointment then there are a couple of options to consider
Local
Council
some local councils
run a community volunteer transport program
Metropolitan
Ambulance Service - Non-Emergency Transport Services
Provides client
transport for people living in Melbourne metropolitan
and greater Melbourne metropolitan area, and include services
such as transport to appointments with health specialists,
hospital admissions/discharges and interhospital transfers.
More
information about eligibility requirements can be found
on the Ambulance Victoria website - click here
Red
Cross Patient Transport Services
Based in 22
locations throughout Victoria, volunteers provide a friendly
face and a helping hand to take people who are isolated
or lacking in confidence to medical appointments.
More
information about the Red Cross Patient Transport service
can be found here
Aids
and Equipment
Independant
Living Centre (ILC)
A service of Yooralla,
the ILC provides independant information, advice and trial
use of a range of aids and equipment available to support
people in the community and enhance quality of life. The
centre is staffed by Physiotherapists and Occupational therapists
with specialist equipment knowledge. The ILC operates Australia
wide and in Victoria they have two display centres located
in Brooklyn (western suburbs) and Blackburn (eastern suburbs).
Staff can provide
free information and advice by calling the enquiry line
on: 1300 885 886
More
information about the Independant Living Centre can be found
here
Concessions
The Department
of Human Services have produced a booklet which outlines
financial concessions available to Victorian residents.
Most State Government concessions are available to individuals
and families who receive government income support payments
and hold a pensioner concession card, health care card,
or eligible Veterans Affairs Gold Cold.
Download
the booklet here - 'State Concessions, Your Entitlements'
