How to Cope with Last-Minute Changes: Tips from People Who Hate Change
If you’re someone who likes plans, routines, and knowing what’s coming next… the NDIS can feel like a bit of a rollercoaster.
Support workers call in sick. Appointments get moved. Programs change locations. And the thing you were looking forward to? Cancelled, rescheduled, or replaced with something that makes you mutter through gritted teeth, “It’s fine.”
Spoiler: it’s not always fine.
So we asked a few people who really, really dislike last-minute changes how they cope — and how support workers, coordinators and providers can help.
Here’s what they said.
🧠 1. “I keep a backup list of ‘okay-ish’ alternatives.”
– Penny F., participant, Adelaide
“I get thrown if my main worker can’t come — especially if I was counting on a lift somewhere. So I made a list of things that are still okay, even if they’re not ideal. It includes stuff like taking a different route, getting groceries delivered, or rescheduling for a quiet time. It helps me feel like I still have some control.”
🔄 Tip for support workers: Keep a list of pre-approved backup options you can gently offer — it’s way better than throwing out random suggestions when someone’s already overwhelmed.
🪑 2. “Sometimes I just need to feel disappointed for a bit.”
– Mark G., support coordinator
“One of my participants taught me this: don’t rush them into ‘finding the bright side.’ If they had their heart set on going to their art class and it’s cancelled, that sucks. Let them say that. Don’t try to fix it straight away. Just be present.”
📎 Related read: Stop Trying to “Fix” Everything for Your Clients – by Ginger Gorman, via ABC Everyday
🧊 3. “Do something familiar, fast.”
– Aria K., parent of a participant
“If plans change, my son’s first instinct is to panic. We’ve found that immediately offering a known activity — like his weighted blanket and his favourite playlist — helps him stay calm while we work out what’s next. Familiarity before flexibility.”
🎧 Pro move: Support workers can keep a shared ‘comfort list’ with the family for these moments — even five minutes of calm can reset the whole day.
🛠️ 4. “Give me tools before the chaos hits.”
– Dean R., psychosocial recovery coach
“The people I work with do best when we plan how to deal with change ahead of time — not while they’re mid-meltdown. We use a little tool I call the ‘Switch Plan’ — a visual or written strategy we agree on in advance, covering what to do if something gets cancelled, moved, or swapped.”
🧾 Want a printable template for that? Stay tuned — we’ll be posting a Heartfelt version soon.
💬 5. “I want honesty, not spin.”
– Tessa W., participant
“Don’t sugarcoat it. Just say what’s going on. If a support worker is sick, don’t say they’re ‘on leave.’ If something’s been cancelled, say that — don’t pretend it’s been ‘postponed’ forever. I handle things better when I get the truth right away.”
🤝 Clarity is kindness. Always.
🧳 6. “Losing a long-time support worker felt like a breakup.”
– Jess M., participant
“When my support worker left — someone I’d had for almost two years — it really threw me. It wasn’t just about tasks. It was trust, safety, and routine. I didn’t just lose support, I lost a relationship.”
Sometimes support workers move on — they change jobs, careers, or take leave for personal reasons. And while that’s natural, it can be incredibly disruptive for the person they’ve been supporting.
That’s why it’s a provider’s responsibility to make that transition as smooth as possible. That includes:
- Letting you know as early as possible
- Involving you in choosing a new worker, if you want that
- Offering continuity through shared notes, handovers, or keeping familiar routines
- Acknowledging the emotional impact — not brushing it off as “just another change”
💡 If your support worker leaves, your provider should do more than just reshuffle the roster. They should support you, not just the system.
✅ How Providers (Like Us) Can Help
At Heartfelt Support, we know that last-minute changes — or even long-term ones — can be more than annoying. They can be stressful, overwhelming, or just plain sad.
So we try to:
- Keep you in the loop early
- Offer familiar faces whenever we can
- Maintain flexible, participant-approved backup plans
- Validate frustration, not talk over it
- Make transitions feel human, not administrative
No system is perfect. But thoughtful communication, emotional awareness, and a little preparation go a long way.
❤️ Want Support That Works With You, Not Just For You?
📞 Contact us
Or learn more about our Disability Support Services