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Source: The Melbourne Herald Sun [Letters to the Editor]
"...Following the media around Peter Greening's plight highlighted in Melbourne's Herald Sun, came these responses.
A number of the Herald Sun's readers also wrote in to express their anger at the lack of attention to the Young People In Nursing Homes issue. A selection of these letters appears below.
Some of the writers have contacted the National Alliance office and are now working with the campaign to develop community based supported accommodation for these forgotten young Australians..."
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR of the HERALD SUN
Frustrated by inaction
24 February 2005With the mounting publicity being given to the plight of young people being forced to live in unsuitable aged care facilities, surely the Victorian Government must eventually show some interest in the problem.
Bronwyn Morkham's article ("Let's fight for the forgotten" February 23) tells us quite clearly there are hundreds in this situation and no one in government seems to give a damn.
My 45 year old son suffers from Huntington's Chorea and lives in a place where, though the staff are wonderful, cannot offer the specialised care and understanding which he so desperately needs.
To watch my son slowly vegetate is frustrating enough, but to know that not too far down the track I will not be around to help him is gut wrenching.
It would be nice to know that some of our taxes could be spent on making his life just that little bit more comfortable.
Perhaps if some politicians had a family member in a similar situation,something might happen.
J. Rutherford
Keysborough
Fair go requires some unity
I was saddened to read Peter Costello's response in Neil Kearney's article regarding young people living in nursing homes ("Coming out to fight for Chris", February 19).
Despite his words that "we can and should look after them", a young man has no other choice but to live in a nursing home.
It is time for cooperation between state and federal governments to give these young people a fair go.
Megan Atkins
North Carlton
Too young for nursing homes
25 February 2005
I sympathise with Ian Scobell (Prisoner of the System, February 23) and the family of Chris Nolan, but it isn't just their plight, the problem is far worse.
No state government gives anyhere near enough thought to housing for the disabled.
There are far too many being put into nursing homes. Many are in their teens and some have been even younger.
I know of one young woman in her early 20s whose parents felt they could no longer care for her, but were shocked when she was placed in a nursing home.
Why won't any political party address this problem?
It has happened under both Labor and Liberal.
Lillian Pearcey
Mitcham
Separated by 50 years
25 February 2005
I have a professional interest in the issue of young people in nursing homes.
I am a diversional therapist currently working in an aged care hostel.
We have a resident who is 25 years old "living" with 59 residents who are aged 75 to 97.
This accommodation is totally inappropriate for this resident.
This person requires stimulation, activities and getting out into the community in ways far different to older people.
Helen Nolan
Diversional therapist, Geelong
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