Conference urges removal of disabled youths from nursing homes
A conference in Melbourne has called on governments to move young people with acquired brain injuries out of aged care nursing homes and into rehabilitation programs.
More than 6,000 young Australians with brain injuries are living in nursing homes.
Their families say the housing is inappropriate and their loved ones regress without access to rehabilitation.
Federal Community Services Minister, Jenny Macklin, agrees and says $250 million is being spent on supported accommodation.
“Some of these additional supported accommodation places have been built,” she said.
“This year almost 170 more will be built, but we really need to get cracking on this issue, and make sure that more supported accommodation places are being built for young people, especially those who otherwise will end up in residential aged care.”
