I am sorry to hear about those people Runner. I know dozens of My Way recipients in the South West who are now far better off than they were before My Way was commenced.

The main problems have been with actually starting the disabled clients on a package, as it takes many weeks before they even get assessed for a package, let alone before they see any staff to give them care at home.

It has been frustrating, but still they have much more help than they had before.
You are probably right about the care providers picking and choosing who they take on, but no one seems to know how the clients are allocated.

Suseonline, i worked in disability services for years, had disability community leaders among my clients. With the NDIS there is even less money for front line services as even more money is going on admin. Many people are being pushed out of specialized services that worked better into generalized, under trained services that provide less & cost more at the same time.

Good luck to Rhrosty trying to find someone trustworthy enough to entrust with power of attorney. Giving EPA to anyone who might want those assets before you are dead is economic suicide. I wrote my book Doctoring Dying in 2008 after a horror run with one of these much abused documents. EPAs are being abused hell, west and crooked by younger people with a false sense of inheritance, or those approaching retirement who haven't paid off their mortgage, or those just fancying spending aunt or uncle's assets (and heaven forbid an older person who contemplates repartnering). And don't expect doctors to do the right thing. Too many are willing to sign off that you have 'lost it' - even if they have never seen you (let alone not made an assessment). Once you are deemed as lacking capacity, you have all rights revoked. You can't appeal, you can't engage a lawyer, you can't ask a doctor to reassess. You are silenced and, if you speak out, you are 'diagnosed' with behavioural symptoms of dementia and chemically restrained. Governments of all persuasions know EPAs and medical assessments are being abused, but don't change the rules to protect the (mostly elderly) victims - because governments want to see family homes sold off and the money liberated to stimulate their mismanaged economies.

Rhosty
I am glad I have friends and family who just pop in three or four times a week so I hope I won't fall down and not be able to get up.

I train in the gym for a bad back. My trainer keeps me moving, stretching, lifting because he says many older people can't catch themselves when they trip, so they fall and break a hip.

We must all keep vigorously exercising.

As for dying alone- this is how the article on "If You Are the One" ended: it's a fear many people have , and the show has captured the imagination of many.