High Intensity Daily Personal Activities (HIDPA) support is a critical service for individuals who have complex and high-level care needs. This type of support goes far beyond routine assistance, requiring a deep understanding of medical procedures, advanced personal care, and strict adherence to safety protocols.
In this guide, we’ll explore what HIDPA support is, why it matters, who benefits from it, and how providers like Refined Care deliver this specialised assistance.
What Are High Intensity Daily Personal Activities?
High Intensity Daily Personal Activities are not your standard personal care services. They involve advanced health-related tasks that must be performed by support workers with specialised training.
Here’s what’s typically included:
- Complex bowel care – For individuals with medical conditions requiring bowel management programs, such as manual evacuation or stoma care, carried out with clinical precision.
- Tracheostomy care – Cleaning, suctioning, and monitoring tracheostomy tubes to ensure the airway remains clear and infection-free.
- PEG feeding – Administering nutrition through a Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy tube for those unable to eat orally.
- Catheter care – Insertion, monitoring, and replacement of urinary catheters while following infection control procedures.
- Ventilation assistance – Supporting clients who rely on ventilators by ensuring correct settings, monitoring breathing patterns, and responding to alarms.
- Seizure management – Assisting clients with epilepsy or seizure disorders, including providing first aid and post-seizure monitoring.
- Complex wound care – Cleaning, dressing, and monitoring chronic or surgical wounds to promote healing and prevent infection.
These tasks often carry a higher risk if performed incorrectly, which is why trained, qualified workers are essential. You can learn more about the general services offered through Refined Care’s Assistance with Daily Personal Activities page.
The Importance of HIDPA Support in Daily Life
HIDPA support plays a life-changing role in the day-to-day lives of people with high support needs.
- Safety and Medical Stability
Complex care needs must be addressed promptly and accurately to avoid medical emergencies. HIDPA ensures proper monitoring and response. - Dignity and Independence
Even though the tasks are medical in nature, skilled workers ensure the process is respectful, allowing clients to maintain privacy and self-worth. - Reduced Hospitalisation
With the right at-home HIDPA support, many clients avoid unnecessary hospital visits, reducing both stress and costs. - Carer Relief
Family carers often experience burnout. HIDPA services provide professional backup so families can rest knowing their loved one is in capable hands. - Integration into Community Life
By managing complex needs effectively, clients can participate in community and social activities with confidence.
Who Can Benefit from High Intensity Daily Personal Activities Support?
HIDPA is beneficial for a diverse range of individuals:
- People with significant physical disabilities who need daily medical assistance to live independently.
- Clients recovering from surgery or major injury where advanced wound care or medical monitoring is required.
- Those with progressive conditions such as ALS, MND, or muscular dystrophy, who gradually require more complex care.
- Individuals with severe epilepsy or seizure disorders needing constant observation and rapid response.
- People on ventilators or with respiratory conditions who require around-the-clock airway management.
- NDIS participants whose plans include high-intensity supports as part of their Core Supports.
For some, HIDPA is also needed in the workplace. Through Assistance to Access and Maintain Employment, individuals can receive the care they need while working.
Key Skills Required for HIDPA Support Workers
Delivering HIDPA services requires more than basic caregiving skills. Here’s an expanded look at the competencies needed:
1. Clinical Knowledge and Certification
Workers must complete accredited training modules specific to the high-intensity task—such as bowel care, tracheostomy management, or PEG feeding—and regularly refresh these skills.
2. Infection Control Expertise
Since many procedures involve direct contact with bodily fluids or open wounds, strict hygiene and sterilisation protocols must be followed to prevent infections.
3. Communication Skills
Support workers need to collaborate with clients, families, nurses, and allied health professionals. This ensures everyone is informed about the care plan and any changes.
4. Emergency Response Ability
In high-risk scenarios—such as a seizure, blocked airway, or sudden drop in blood pressure—workers must act quickly and effectively.
5. Empathy and Professional Boundaries
While the role is technical, maintaining compassion, patience, and a professional demeanour is critical for building trust.
How HIDPA Support Fits into NDIS Plans
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) recognises that some participants have complex care needs that require specially trained staff. HIDPA services typically fall under:
- Core Supports – Assistance with Daily Life
Funding under this category covers tasks that help participants live independently and safely. - Capacity Building – Improved Daily Living
This may include training the participant or their informal supports in certain care tasks.
When partnering with Refined Care, participants can have their NDIS plans tailored to:
- Include both personal and community-based care
- Combine HIDPA with employment support where necessary
- Ensure workers have the exact skillset required
Examples of HIDPA Support in Action
Real-world scenarios illustrate the impact of HIDPA services:
- Tracheostomy Care at Home
A client with a permanent tracheostomy receives twice-daily cleaning and suctioning to prevent mucus build-up. The support worker monitors oxygen saturation and liaises with the client’s respiratory therapist. - Complex Bowel Care for Spinal Injury
Following a spinal cord injury, a client needs assistance with manual evacuation every second day, performed with precision to avoid discomfort and complications. - PEG Feeding for Nutritional Needs
A client unable to swallow safely receives measured nutritional formulas via a PEG tube, with all equipment sterilised before use. - Seizure Monitoring in Community Settings
A client attends a social group knowing a trained HIDPA worker can respond instantly if a seizure occurs, reducing anxiety for both the client and their family.
The Role of Refined Care in Delivering HIDPA Support
Refined Care is an NDIS-registered provider that specialises in person-centred care. Their approach includes:
- Thorough assessment of needs before starting services
- Matching clients with appropriately trained support workers
- Continuous communication with healthcare teams
- Flexibility to adapt services as needs change
Their HIDPA service is delivered with the same care and empathy as standard personal support, but with the added benefit of advanced medical capability.
HIDPA Support and Employment Assistance
HIDPA services don’t end at home. Through Refined Care’s Assistance to Access and Maintain Employment, clients can:
- Receive medication or feeding support at work
- Have mobility assistance to travel to and from the workplace
- Access toileting or personal care breaks during work hours
- Maintain both productivity and health
This approach opens pathways for independence and financial participation.
Training and Compliance in HIDPA Services
To ensure safety, providers like Refined Care implement strict training and compliance requirements:
- First Aid & CPR Certification – Ensures quick and effective emergency response.
- Manual Handling Training – Reduces injury risk for both workers and clients.
- Infection Control Accreditation – Essential for wound care, catheter management, and PEG feeding.
- Task-Specific High Intensity Training – Covers each advanced care task with both theory and practical assessment.
- Ongoing Professional Development – Regular updates ensure workers meet current medical standards.
How to Access HIDPA Support
Getting started with HIDPA involves:
- Initial Consultation – Contact Refined Care to discuss your situation.
- Needs Assessment – A trained assessor determines the specific high-intensity supports required.
- Care Plan Creation – A schedule is created outlining tasks, timing, and responsible workers.
- Service Commencement – HIDPA support begins, with regular reviews to adapt to changing needs.
Why Choose Refined Care for HIDPA Services
Refined Care offers:
- Tailored Support Plans – No two clients have the same requirements.
- Highly Trained Staff – All workers are equipped with high-intensity skill sets.
- 24/7 Availability – Support when it’s needed most.
- Commitment to Dignity – Respect and compassion in every interaction.
Conclusion
High Intensity Daily Personal Activities support is an essential service for those with complex needs. It bridges the gap between medical care and daily living, allowing people to remain at home, work, and in the community while staying safe and well.
With providers like Refined Care, individuals can trust that they will receive expert, reliable, and compassionate care, tailored to their needs and goals.
FAQs
- What qualifies as a High Intensity Daily Personal Activity?
Advanced personal care tasks like tracheostomy care, catheter management, PEG feeding, ventilation support, and seizure monitoring. - Can HIDPA support be included in my NDIS plan?
Yes, it’s often funded under Core Supports for Assistance with Daily Life. - How is HIDPA different from standard personal care?
HIDPA involves complex, medical-related tasks that require specialised training. - Does Refined Care provide HIDPA at home and in the community?
Yes, their services are flexible to meet clients’ needs in both settings. - How do I arrange HIDPA support with Refined Care?
Simply contact Refined Care to arrange an assessment and personalised care plan.
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