Spinal Cord Injury and Spinal Disability Support

Understanding SCI support

A spinal cord injury affects movement and sensation below the level of the injury, and the effects differ enormously depending on where and how complete the injury is. Some people need occasional assistance; others need support with personal care, transfers and health management every day.

People also use "spinal disabilities support" more broadly, covering spina bifida, degenerative spinal conditions and injuries that are not classified as spinal cord injuries. Both groups often look for the same kinds of providers.

Commonly requested supports include personal care, support workers, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, nursing supports, assistive technology and home modifications.

What to check before you enquire

• Manual handling — whether workers are trained and confident with the transfers you need.
• Continence and skin care — whether the provider's staff can support what you require, and with what supervision.
• Equipment — whether they are familiar with your wheelchair, hoist, cushion or bed set-up.
• Reliability — what happens if a worker cancels, since a missed shift is not a minor inconvenience.
• Timing — whether the provider can cover your actual morning and evening routines.
• Funding — NDIS, insurance, compensation or private, so the provider can tell you if they can invoice it.

Making an enquiry

Tell us your suburb, the support you need and when you need it, and we will point you towards providers who work with spinal cord injury. See how provider matching works for what happens next, or make an enquiry and our team will be in touch.

This page is general information, not clinical advice. Confirm a provider's experience, training and registration directly before you engage them.