Source: The Young People In Nursing Homes National Alliance [3/3/2010]
A HOME OF THEIR OWN
Media Rele ase
Immediate - 3 March 2010
The Young People In Nursing Homes Alliance today congratulated Tasmania’s Department of Health and Human Services on the opening of a new supported accommodation service at Chigwell.
The new service will enable 6 young Tasmanians to move out of aged care nursing homes and live in the community.
‘This is a terrific opportunity for these young people,’ said Alliance Board Member and Chair of the Tasmanian Minister’s Disability Advisory Committee, Sue Hodgson. ‘But we need to ensure that the nursing home places they have vacated are not filled by the next wave of young disabled people waiting in the wings.’
‘Preventing young people with disability from entering aged care in the first place is the answer …and our challenge,’ she said.
‘Collaboration and cooperation between health, disability and aged care services is essential if we are to succeed.
Over 6,700 young Australians now live in aged care homes because they have nowhere else to go.
‘The Council of Australian Governments’ Younger People In Residential Aged Care initiative that funded this new service was only ever meant to be a first step,’ said Alliance head Dr Bronwyn Morkham.
‘The YPIRAC initiative must grow and expand if we are to offer the same opportunity enjoyed by these young people here today, to other young Tasmanians with disability.
For comment: Sue Hodgson, Chair, Tasmanian Minister’s Disability Advisory Council 0418 146 932
Dr Bronwyn Morkham 0437 178 078
Young People In Nursing Homes National Alliance
ABN 25 121 748 169
www.ypinh.org.au
