Older Parents Supporting a Child with Disability
Across Australia, thousands of elderly parents continue to care for their children with disability well into adulthood. This caregiving is almost always offered with deep love and commitment, but as the years go by, it often comes with heavy costs—physical strain, financial stress, and emotional worry. Many parents are not only focused on managing today’s challenges, but also haunted by a bigger question: “Who will look after my child when I no longer can?” Recognising these realities is essential, because supporting elderly carers through financial help, health services, respite, and future planning protects not only their wellbeing but also the long-term security and independence of their children.
As parents age, the very tasks that once felt manageable can become overwhelming. Physical health conditions such as arthritis, back pain, or reduced mobility make daily care—lifting, bathing, cooking, or managing medications—much harder. If a child has complex health needs, the demands can be even greater and at times impossible to manage without support. Financial strain is also a common reality. Many parents who are retired or living on a pension still need to cover disability-related expenses such as medical equipment, therapies, or transport. On top of this comes the heavy emotional weight of uncertainty. For many, the greatest worry is not about today but about the future—what will happen to their child once they themselves are no longer able to provide care.
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) provides a vital lifeline of practical supports that can ease this pressure. NDIS plans may include personal care, therapies, assistive technology, community participation programs, and respite services. For elderly carers, respite is particularly valuable because it allows them time to rest, recover, and manage their own health while knowing their child is safe. Working with a support coordinator or local area coordinator is an important step to ensure the NDIS plan reflects both the participant’s needs and the family’s circumstances. At the same time, elderly parents themselves may be eligible for help through My Aged Care, which provides home care packages, domestic assistance, and carer respite. Used alongside the NDIS, this dual support system can significantly reduce pressure, as the child receives targeted disability supports while the parent receives aged care assistance. With careful planning, families can use both systems to remain together safely at home for longer.
Financial assistance is another critical part of supporting elderly carers. Centrelink provides two key payments: the Carer Payment, which is an income support payment for those who cannot work due to full-time caring responsibilities, and the Carer Allowance, which is a supplementary payment to help cover the additional costs of care. These payments can make a major difference for families trying to manage on limited retirement incomes while still providing constant support for their adult child with disability.
Despite these supports, one of the most difficult challenges remains planning for the future. Elderly parents often ask themselves how their child will be cared for when they are no longer around. Future planning may involve writing or updating a will, appointing a guardian or trustee, or setting up a Special Disability Trust to provide financial security. Families may also explore supported independent living options or community housing solutions that can ensure safety and stability in the long term. Navigating these decisions is not easy, but disability service providers and advocacy organisations can offer guidance, resources, and reassurance throughout the process.
The emotional impact of caring should not be overlooked. For older parents, caring can be isolating, especially if social networks have faded or health problems limit their ability to connect with others. Support groups, community organisations, and online forums offer a vital source of encouragement and practical advice. Counselling and mental health services are also important, giving carers tools to cope with stress, grief, and the deep concerns about their child’s future wellbeing. Staying connected to community support helps parents feel less alone in their journey and more confident in their ability to manage ongoing challenges.
Elderly parents who care for their child with disability shoulder an extraordinary responsibility, often sacrificing their own health and wellbeing in the process. While Australia has strong systems in place—the NDIS, My Aged Care, Centrelink payments, and various community networks—many families still find it difficult to navigate these programs and coordinate them effectively. Recognising and supporting elderly carers is not simply about easing today’s burden. It is about ensuring stability, dignity, and peace of mind for the carers themselves, while securing independence and a safe future for their children with disability.