Virtual Supports are a new way of connecting with Support Professionals. Whilst they may seem somewhat foreign, there are numerous benefits of virtual supports and online sessions.
1. Reduce costs – no travel fee
How many times have you received an invoice or a quote for a session and have been shocked at the travel fee? We know that providers have costs to cover for travelling, however as everyone’s budget is different some might not be able to afford this. This can lead to a reduced amount of sessions or shorter sessions as it is just not within budget.
One of the major benefits of virtual supports (or telehealth) is the fact there are no travel fees! As you have sessions online, a provider will only charge you for the services being provided. This means you can budget for more frequent sessions or have a longer session time.
2. Remain connected if you need to self isolate or cant get out for the day
When living with a disability no two days are the same. Virtual Supports are a great option when you are not feeling up to a face to face visit, or are restricted from leaving the house. You can still connect with your support team and have someone to communicate with, even if you cannot see them physically.
This means you are still receiving those critical supports and can reduce feelings of isolation and loneliness. We have found that current tappON members have embraced virtual support when feeling ill and have enjoyed remaining connected with their team.
3. Explore a wider range of services – ie Art Therapy
Virtual Support also allows individuals to explore and access support they have been able to before. Travel restrictions, lack of transport, and availability may prevent participants from trying new things. However, virtual sessions mean you can begin to access and explore a wide range of services.
We have seen tappON members meet with Art Therapists and Psychologists and explore where their funding can take them. A good way to begin a virtual session is to discus with your support professional (or client as a support professional) as to what you both want to get out of this session.
4. Have a hybrid mix of support
NDIS and Home Care funding is designed to give individuals control over their own support schedule and have flexibility. This means seeing support workers when you want and in a medium that suits you. As more individuals embrace virtual and online support, they are beginning to design a care plan that suits their individual lifestyle.
For example, if you can’t access transport on Mondays you can choose to have a session with your social support team virtually. However, you might choose to have a face to face session on Saturday mornings as you want to go shopping.
By developing a hybrid mix of support delivery you can build out a schedule that suits your individual needs. Combining virtual sessions as way to keep in touch in between face to face bookings.
tappON is committed to helping you build a support schedule that suits your needs, interests and budget. Schedule a free support session where we will help you build out your ideal team and then match you with appropriate workers – https://calendly.com/tappon-genevieve/setup-tele-health-session
If you are interested in viewing Support Professionals near you, create your free account today at https://www.tappon.co/member-signup.
