Serious social issue needs fixing

Young people living in aged care facilities are one of the most marginalised and isolated groups in Australia. It is a “serious social issue”, which can, and must be fixed, a new Monash University report has found.

According to the Young People in Nursing Homes whitepaper released earlier this month, about 44% of young people in aged care receive a visit from a friend less than once a year; more than 20% seldom, or never, venture outside and 34% of young people with a disability living in a facility almost never participate in any community-based activities like shopping, sports, or visiting friends and family.

The report also states about 60% of young aged care residents have an acquired brain injury (ABI), 13% have multiple sclerosis and about 9% live with Huntington’s disease.

About 3,300 people under the age of 60 years live in nursing homes, which advocates for young people in aged care say are not suited to their needs.

Advocates say young people’s lives in residential aged care are also socially isolating, and because they are placed in the wrong atmosphere for their needs, young people with disabilities living in a facility generally lead “impoverished lives”.

The report also claims aged care facilities are not designed or resourced to facilitate the active involvement of young people with high clinical needs in everyday activities.

The five-year research project, conducted by Monash in collaboration with the Summer Foundation, summarised current research and policy related to the issue of young people in nursing homes in Australia.

It also attempts to identify and describe the ‘typical young person’ living in aged care, and to explain why they are there and describe the impact of living in a facility for older people.

The report recommends improvements in medical technology and rehabilitation services over time, which has increased survival rates and life expectancies of people with disabilities in Australia. While people are living longer and healthier lives, the report reveals people with degenerative diseases such as multiple sclerosis are also living longer.

“This has resulted in a new population of people with severe disabilities and complex care needs that require 24-hour supervision or very high levels of daily care and support, challenging the established disability service system,” the report states.

Click here to read a previous DPS eNews’ story about young people in aged care.