Source: Canberra Liberals Online [Sen. Gary Humphries]

"...The ACT Government must act now to ensure that young disabled Canberrans do not have to be looked after in nursing homes..."

Today, the NSW Government will reportedly announce that it will build a nursing home so young people do not have to live with elderly patients. ACT Liberal Senator Gary Humphries called on the ACT Government to display similar commitment to this issue.

"While this problem is nowhere near as prevalent in the ACT, we still have young people with disabilities who are receiving inappropriate care," Senator Humphries said today.

"Nursing homes are not appropriate for young people with disabilities yet this is the only alternative for some families due to a lack of support services.

"Nursing homes should be the last resort for young people. However, as a participant in the Senate inquiry into aged care (which reported last year), I was shocked by the number of cases where this occurs.

"Nursing homes are designed for old people. Subsequently, young residents experience social isolation and boredom, sometimes causing them to lash out at staff.

"Provision of disability services is the responsibility of the states and territories while residential aged care is the funding responsibility of the Australian Government.

"Nevertheless, at February's COAG meeting the Commonwealth agreed to provide $122 million towards a 5 year program that will help keep younger people out of aged care facilities. The states and territories, including the ACT, agreed to match this contribution.

"The Stanhope Government must honour its commitment to address this problem. I await its June 9 budget with great interest," Senator Humphries said.