Providing alternative accommodation to keep younger people with a disability out of nursing homes was a major priority, Member for Northern Tablelands Richard Torbay said last week.
He said a new home for five men in Armidale, officially opened by Minister for Disability Services Andrew Constance, was a model of its kind.
“This concept is a real credit to the state and federal government plan to work together on this issue,” he said.
“In terms of quality of life and engagement in the community, this new residence offers a much better prospect for its occupants.”
The residence, built and operated by The House With No Steps, has been open since January and at present houses three men relocated from nursing homes.
It employs 12 staff on a 24/7 roster and encourages the men to participate in community activities and to interact socially.
“The Young Person in Residential Aged Care program (YPIRAC) is tacking an issue that has created enormous heartache for years,” Mr Torbay said.
“Disability can happen to anyone at any time but for younger people it is made much more difficult if they are completely cut off from their peer group as happens in nursing homes.
“Either finding ways to keep them at home or providing more suitable accommodation is the right way to go and this new home in Armidale is a great example of how well it can be done.”
