The reality of life is that any one of us could receive a devastating diagnosis at any time or experience a life-altering injury. You don’t see it coming, but when it does, you have no other option but to learn how to live with your new circumstances. That isn’t just a weight one person carries, it impacts their loved ones, too. 

Emotional Impact 

One of the biggest emotional impacts as a result of total and permanent disability is grief. There is a sense of loss with a diagnosis because you are facing a new reality and it takes time to accept that and to let go of your former abilities or identity. This is particularly challenging for people who will never return to work and are forced to accept giving up a career they love. 

As a result, people often struggle with anxiety and depression. It isn’t just the physical challenges that can impact mental health issues, the emotional weight of these changes can also take a toll. 

Self-perception can be an issue, with so much of our self-worth and identity wrapped up in circumstances that no longer exist, it can take time to adjust. 

While families may understand that on some level, they aren’t necessarily prepared to deal with the reality of what that process looks like. It can come with a lot of anger, sadness, and hopelessness.  

Financial Impact 

Of course, there is a financial impact with a total and permanent disability. If you are unable to work you are going to have to accept that your income is gone and if you earned more than a partner, that creates even more financial stress. The feeling of financial uncertainty will only exacerbate your emotional health issues. 

Many illnesses and injuries come with increased expenses, whether it’s modifying your home, ongoing medical expenses, the cost of maintaining an assistance dog or other assistive technology. Those increased expenses only add to financial burdens. 

One of the most frustrating parts of a total and permanent disability is relying on others, whether it’s for care or financial support. Nobody wants to feel reliant on others, which is why it’s so important to have Total Permanent Disability in super. 

Practical Challenges 

If you or someone close to you is going through total and permanent disability, there are a lot of practical challenges to consider. 

What was once a daily activity completed without thought must be planned. A shower could be difficult, it might be impossible without assistance. You have to think about bathing, getting dressed, preparing meals, cleaning the house, and getting out and about. When someone has reduced mobility, their chances for socialisation are lower and unless people are willing to visit them, it can seriously isolate them, leaving them feeling lonely and hurt. 

This isolation can lead to relationship strains, but there’s also the risk of strains when the dynamics of a relationship change. If your partner is dealing with total and permanent disability, you are going to take on additional roles and responsibilities. That might be frustrating for you, it is likely exhausting, but it’s also frustrating for your loved one who has to accept this change of dynamic and there’s nothing they can do to improve it. It can also impact children and extended family members, especially if your loved one is dealing with guilt and withdrawing from loved ones because they’re struggling to accept their new circumstances. 

Strategies for Coping and Maintaining Relationships 

It can be difficult, but with open and honest communication with everyone you can get through it. If you are dealing with a total and permanent disability, learning to open up to your family members about how you’re feeling will help them understand what you’re going through and solidify your relationships. 

There are support groups for people living with total and permanent disability and their family members, it’s good to connect with people who are going through similar experiences. 

With everyone’s role changing in the family, it’s good to be flexible and adjust your expectations. This is a big part of accepting the new circumstances you will be living with. Everyone in the family should practice regular self-care to protect their mental health, and you can draw up a schedule together if it helps. 

You can ease your financial burden by taking advantage of government benefits and other support services. Thinks like the NDIS scheme might cover the cost of adapting your bathroom and kitchen, or in making other necessary modifications. 

Finally, whatever the milestone, don’t be afraid to celebrate it. Every achievement is an achievement worth celebrating.

 How AJB Stevens Can Help 

It’s so important to have Total Permanent Disability (TPD) Insurance to ensure your future is protected. There’s a good chance you already have TPD Insurance in Super, but you should check each superannuation account to see whether you are covered. If your super cover isn’t sufficient, consider investing in Total Permanent Disability Insurance separately. This will ensure you are taken care of, whether you can never work again or retrain to do another job. Make sure your cover works for you. 

AJB Stevens are experts in Total and Permanent Disability (TPD) claims. Not only will we ensure you receive the payout you deserve, but we can help you track down your different policies to determine which one will pay out the most. Older policies allow for you to claim against more than one TPD policy, we’ll read all the fine print to make sure everything is done properly.