The Facts

Young people with disabilities live in nursing homes because of an out-dated system which has not taken into account the fact that there is a new population of people that have survived catastrophic brain injuries due to improvements in medical technology over the past twenty years. Thanks to medical advancement, people with degenerative diseases such as multiple sclerosis now also have greater life expectancy.

Young people who end up in nursing homes have a diverse range of capabilities and support needs. They want a range of creative and innovative solutions in order to actively participate in the community, and have a real choice about where they live and with whom.

There needs to be systemic change and a dramatic increase in the number of supported housing options to stem the flow of young people into aged care.

In March 2010, the Summer Foundation and Monash University released Getting Out, an independent evaluation of the National Younger People in Residential Aged Care program that is due to finish in June 2011.

The $244 million program was established by COAG in July 2006 to reduce the number of younger people (defined as under 50 years) with disabilities living in aged care nursing homes. The Getting Out study involved 36 recorded telephone interviews with health professionals, disability workers, advocacy organisations and public servants in each state/territory of Australia who are actively involved in the implementation of the current national YPIRAC program.

This link will take you the the web page on the Summer Foundation website that shows summary data for each state and territory in Australia.