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
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
