Page 27 - MDS final deliverable

ADDITIONAL FINDINGS
CANCELLATIONS
Participants do not understand the implications of cancelling an appointment and not turning up. They believe it is okay, as long as they inform MDS. Some reasons for cancellation include: participants not feeling ‘up to it’, being in a ‘bad head space’, family problems, not having enough money for transportation, feeling bored with a particular activity.
NEW SERVICES AT AN EXTRA COST
There was a fine line between what participants and families are willing to pay for additional disability support services. Most participants are generally unwilling to pay for additional disability support services, mostly because they already feel financially stretched. They do however, use a variety of external services to fill in any service gaps and may be happy to pay if MDS introduced these services as they trust MDS overall.
OUT-OF-POCKET CARE SPEND
Some MDS staff spend their own money to provide participants with ‘real-life’ experiences such as travel and coffee which are not compensated by MDS. Staff are limited in their ability to provide something ‘different’ when organising new activities for participants, as this is constrained by the funding available.
ART IN MY HEART
Most participants seem to have a love for art or music (dancing, Zumba, playing musical instruments etc). They feel happy and relaxed when doing these activities. They enjoy performing for their family and friends and feel a sense of achievement when they do so.
iDIGITAL
Participants seem to have a dependency and reliance on technology such as their iPads, iPods, computers, phones, and televisions. They are very digitally connected. They leverage music on the iPods or certain shows on their iPads as coping mechanisms and strategies to relax them. They are frustrated when they cannot use their devices at the Centre. If something goes wrong with their technology, they often get confused.
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