Creating a Daily Routine with NDIS Support

For many NDIS participants, having a structured daily routine plays a key role in promoting independence, improving overall well-being, and reducing stress. With the right supports in place — including daily living assistance, personal care, and community access — participants can create a routine that balances their needs, personal goals, and interests.

At Connect Support Group, our Support Coordination services help participants design routines that are both practical and empowering, while also ensuring that their NDIS funding is used effectively to support their daily lives. In this blog, we’ll share expert tips for establishing a healthy daily routine, explore how to balance independence with support, and provide real examples of personalized daily schedules.

Tips for Establishing a Daily Routine with Assistance

Creating a routine is about more than just filling time — it’s about designing a structure that enhances a participant’s sense of control, builds skills, and supports their goals. Here’s how participants (with the help of support workers, family, and support coordinators) can create a practical and meaningful daily routine:

1. Identify Personal Goals and Needs

Start by discussing what the participant hopes to achieve each day. This might include:

• Building self-care skills (e.g., showering, dressing).
• Participating in community activities.
• Attending therapy or medical appointments.
• Learning new skills, like cooking or budgeting.
• Relaxing and unwinding with hobbies.

How Support Coordination Helps:
At Connect Support Group, our support coordinators work closely with participants to identify these goals and match them to the right NDIS-funded supports, such as personal care workers, community access providers, or therapy services.

2. Establish Consistency While Allowing Flexibility

Routine doesn’t mean every day has to look the same. Consistency helps participants feel safe and organised, while flexibility allows for changes based on energy levels, appointments, or social events.

Example:

• Mornings always start with personal care support.
• Afternoons might vary between therapy, shopping trips, or social activities.
• Evenings are kept flexible for rest or family time.

3. Use Visual Schedules or Planning Tools

For participants who benefit from visual cues, picture schedules, apps, or wall calendars can make routines easier to follow.

Recommended Tools:

• My Planner App (designed for NDIS participants).
• Google Calendar for digital reminders.
• Picture Boards for participants with cognitive impairments.

4. Break Tasks into Manageable Steps

Complex tasks like meal preparation or household chores can feel overwhelming. Breaking them into smaller steps makes them achievable, especially with the right level of support.

Example:
Instead of “prepare dinner,” the routine might say:

• Choose recipe (with support worker if needed).
• Gather ingredients.
• Follow recipe steps with supervision or assistance.
• Clean up together after cooking.

5. Review and Adjust Regularly

Life changes — and so should the routine. Support coordinators regularly review participants’ routines to ensure they remain practical, enjoyable, and aligned with evolving needs and goals.

Balancing Independence and Support

One of the key goals of NDIS-funded daily support is to build independence over time. While support workers are there to assist, they should also encourage participants to do as much as possible independently. This balance can be adjusted based on the participant’s capabilities and confidence.

How to Foster Independence

• Encourage decision-making (e.g., choosing meals or clothes).
• Provide step-by-step coaching rather than doing everything for the participant.
• Celebrate small wins, like successfully managing part of a task without help.
• Use assistive technology to promote autonomy (e.g., alarms for medication reminders).

Examples of Personalized Daily Schedules

Here are some real-world examples of how Connect Support Group helps participants create daily routines tailored to their needs:

Example 1: Routine for a Participant with Physical Disability (Living Independently)

Example 2: Routine for a Participant with Intellectual Disability (Living with Family)

How Connect Support Group Enhances Daily Routines

At Connect Support Group, we believe that a well-designed daily routine empowers participants to live with greater independence, confidence, and fulfillment. Our Support Coordination team works directly with participants, families, and service providers to ensure:

• All necessary supports are in place.
• Routines align with participants’ goals and preferences.
• Flexibility is maintained for life’s inevitable changes.
• Progress is regularly reviewed to promote skill development and independence.

With NDIS support and expert Support Coordination, participants can develop daily routines that promote independence, enhance quality of life, and foster personal growth. Whether living independently or with family, a thoughtfully crafted routine helps participants achieve their goals — one day at a time.

At Connect Support Group, we work closely with every participant to ensure their daily routine is practical, enjoyable, and tailored to their unique needs. Contact us today to discover how our Support Coordination services can help you or your loved one build a fulfilling and empowering daily routine.