In early December, the Summer Foundation’s Dr Di Winkler and Dr George Taleporos presented at the Disability Royal Commission’s hearing in Melbourne which focused on housing for people with disability, including the experiences of people in group homes.
Disability Royal Commission Hearings
The Summer Foundation has developed a Collaborative Discharge Approach (CDA) to improve the pathway from hospital back to the community for people with a newly acquired disability and/or change in their circumstances.
Helen Burt is full of hope at the possibility of a better life, as she starts her journey from aged care to living in her own home.
Our UpSkill program is being rolled out across regional and rural Victoria. We want to increase the number of skilled support coordinators and help them respond well to the diverse needs of people with disability.
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We keep hearing good news about developments that are improving the lives of young people who would otherwise be forced into nursing homes because there are no alternatives.
The Summer Foundation has again partnered with Social Ventures Australia to undertake a survey of how much and what types of Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) development is being planned and built around Australia.
There has been an 11 per cent reduction in the number of people under 65 in residential aged care, the Minister for the NDIS Stuart Robert said.
The recently announced Australian Government initiatives and the Aged Care Royal Commission’s interim report highlighted the lack of data available around young people in aged care. The Summer Foundation has been working to address this for a long time.
Individual Living Options (ILO) are living arrangements that focus on the individual. They include living alone, co-residency, host arrangements and living together options. They are an alternative to group home services.
Three important new SDA documents were released in October:
Source: The Australian | Reporter: Megan Neil
Colin Hiscoe has a simple request for the disability royal commission – please help.
Mr Hiscoe has begged the royal commission to help the people stuck with no voice and little options in disability group homes.
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Source: Every Australian Counts | Author: George Taleporos
Ahead of giving evidence to the Disability Royal Commission hearing in Melbourne, the Summer Foundation’s Dr George Taleporos spoke to Every Australian Counts.
Dr Taleporos outlined what he planned to tell the Commission – and what he thinks needs to change when it comes to housing for people with disability.
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Source: The Canberra Times | Reporter: Sally Whyte | Photo: Jamila Toderas
After spending three years and eight months in an aged care facility, Mario Amato managed to leave and move in to his own unit.
Source: Probono | Reporter: Luke Michael
The Morrison government has pledged there will be no young people with disability living in residential aged care by 2022.
In its response to the aged care royal commission’s interim report, the government vowed to ensure there were no people under 65 entering aged care by 2022, no people under 45 living in aged care by 2022, and no people under 65 living in aged care by 2025.
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[lead]The Summer Foundation, the Young People In Nursing Homes National Alliance, Youngcare, Synapse, the Specialist Disability Accommodation Alliance and Aged & Community Services Australia have released a joint statement:[/lead]
Organisations supporting young people living in nursing homes have welcomed the Morrison Government’s commitment to work to the targets endorsed by the Aged Care Royal Commission that will see no younger person enter residential aged care by 2022 and no one under 65 years in aged care by 2025.
“This is an important step forward and we applaud the government for its commitment to these new targets,” said YPINH Alliance head, Dr Bronwyn Morkham. “The targets reflect the urgency of this problem – and they are certainly achievable – but it’s essential that we start now.
“We’re ready to work with the government to develop and implement its new strategy. We look forward to seeing more detail about these new initiatives, to make sure the strategy delivers on its promise.”
“We’re pleased to see that improved data gathering and detailed analyses of this cohort will form a central part of this work,” said Summer Foundation CEO Dr Di Winkler.
“We also welcome the government’s decision to implement a joint agency approach. Too many younger people end up in aged care because they fall through cracks between the health and disability systems. Bringing all the relevant agencies together is the only way we can stop this from continuing to happen. State health systems are key to this work and we look forward to being partners in this new strategy.”
Youngcare CEO Anthony Ryan said that developing a database of new and existing housing options will support investment in accessible housing.
“Helping investors better understand the needs of these younger people is critical to developing the housing and care options they need,” he said.
“The rapid availability of interim housing solutions is also a priority to stop younger people going into aged care.”
ACSA CEO Pat Sparrow also welcomed the announcement but called on the Morrison Government to ensure that those younger people also receive the level of support they require while they continue to live in an aged care home. “There is often a funding disparity that disadvantages those people in aged care. ACSA believes that regardless of your age or where you reside you should get the level of support required to meet needs and to have a good quality of life.”
All organisations agree that funding is needed for individual advocacy to prevent young people going into aged care as well as help them make the transition back to life in the community.
“These are people needing multiple supports from different services and we need new roles that can work closely with each younger person and the service systems they need to make their transition to life in the community a success,” said Dr Morkham.
Source: Breakfast (ABC Radio) | Reporter: Jacinta Parsons & Sami Shah
Yesterday the Australian Government handed down its response to the interim report from the Aged Care Royal Commission, which labelled the treatment in aged care as a shocking tale of neglect.
Interview starts at 1:37.20
Featured: Carolyn Finis, Summer Foundation
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Source: PM (ABC Radio) | Reporter: Nick Grimm
The Prime Minister says he’s delivering “lasting change for a new generation”, as he’s announced the Federal Government’s response to the damning interim report of the Aged Care Royal Commission, but that’s quickly been dismissed by some advocates.
Source: Australia Wide (ABC Radio) | Reporter: Sinead Mangan
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has announced his government will spend more than half a billion dollars on aged care, this follows the damning interim report into the sector from the Aged Care Royal Commission.
Interview starts at 7.26
Featured: Carolyn Finis
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Source: Northern Health | Photo: Northern Health
Northern Health has partnered with the Summer Foundation to up skill our staff in how we work with the NDIS (National Disability Insurance Scheme).
The winners of the two Allen Martin Scholarships for 2019 were announced at the Allen Martin Memorial Lecture and Scholarship Announcement event, held on Wednesday 13 November.
Source: The Estate Agent | November 2019
New website makes it easier for people with disabilities to find suitable accommodation.
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Source: Disability Support Guide | Reporter: Liz Alderslade
The Interim Report from the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety has recommended the removal of all younger people with disability from aged care and to stem the flow of younger people into a system that cannot provide appropriate care.
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Source: The Wire | Reporter: Isabella Guzman | Photo: Pixabay
The Royal Commission released their report on aged care called “Neglect” this Saturday, in it they have described the Australian aged care system “unsafe” and “uncaring” and have called to immediate action as conditions for elders and young people with disabilities seem to worsen with time due to under-funding and poor management.
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The Summer Foundation, the Young People In Nursing Homes National Alliance and Youngcare welcome the Aged Care Royal Commission’s Interim Report, which was released by the government today. In its report, the Commission has accepted two important targets relating to younger people living in aged care: allowing only for exceptional circumstances, an end to young Australians entering residential aged care by 2022, and no young Australian living in aged care by 2025. These targets should be adopted by governments immediately.
Alliance Director, Dr Bronwyn Morkham, said that the Commission’s acceptance of these targets was critical.
“We cannot risk another policy failure for these younger people. These targets give us a measurable objective by which we can solve this longstanding problem,” Dr Morkham said.
“No single government agency can fix this issue by itself. Health, disability and aged care systems must work together to achieve these targets and end the flow of young people into aged care,” Dr Morkham said.
“We must make sure that the Royal Commission’s work leads to solutions where human rights are upheld and where young people can choose where they live, who they live with, and how they are supported,” said Dr Di Winkler, Summer Foundation CEO.
“The funding is there in the NDIS, the will is there in the community, and with a good plan and dedicated focus, the issue can be resolved.”
Youngcare CEO Anthony Ryan said the report’s recommendations were a positive step towards ensuring young Australians with disability choose how they live their lives.
“Our passion is to give young people the choice that everyone deserves. In coming out so strongly, the Royal Commission gives a guide to what we all need to do to bring this about.”
The Interim Report was informed by young people living in aged care giving harrowing evidence to the Royal Commission.
Describing his nursing home room as “Cell 14”, Neale Radley spoke of the loneliness and isolation that is his life in aged care, while James Nutt referred to his time in a nursing home as a prison sentence.
The Summer Foundation Board is extremely pleased to announce the re-appointment of Dr Di Winkler as CEO of the Summer Foundation. Di is founder of the Summer Foundation, and was CEO from the organisation’s inception in 2006 until early 2018.