A dire lack of housing for adults with disabilities in central Victoria is continuing to cause heartache for parents who are caring for their children well into old age.
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The issue reached an emotional breaking point for one local family this week after their mother – a woman in her 90s who has been caring for her son for 50 years – suffered a tragic fall.
According to a statement from the family, who wished to remain anonymous, their mother has been a vigilant full-time carer to her son, who has Down Syndrome.
“After a devastating fall resulting in life-threatening injuries, Mum's recovery is delicate and is likely to take some time,” the statement read.
“Our family's situation highlights the urgency of addressing the issue of disabled adults living with aging carers and parents in Bendigo.”
Quality Living Options Bendigo president Dr Noela Foreman said it was “absolutely vital” to reach a disability housing solution, as the current situation was urgent.
The group is calling on the community to help them raise some $300,000 to secure land on which to build purpose-made housing.
“It’s a big issue that has been ignored. We are caring for loved ones until we die. We worry about who will care for them when we no longer can,” Dr Foreman said.
She hoped the initial funds would be a launchpad for the multi-million dollar project.
The family’s statement went on to say that disability funding was essential and there was a need for quality individualised care, accommodation, meaningful purpose and activity within the community.
Lack of disability housing critical
State member for Bendigo West Maree Edwards has called on more support for initiatives that would ease the strain on ageing carers of people with disabilities.
She said an ambitious housing project proposed by Quality Living Options Bendigo needed “significant support” and that she was advocating to the premier on the group’s behalf.
The group is fundraising for an initial $300,000 to secure land in the hopes of building suitable housing for people with disabilities.
“It's very clear: there is a genuine understanding of a lack of housing for people with a disability,” Ms Edwards said.
“Ageing parents who are still caring for their children do an amazing job in very difficult circumstances.”
Ms Edwards hoped the incoming NDIS would alleviate some of the strain on carers and give people with a disability more options.
Federal MP Lisa Chesters praised the Quality Living Options Bendigo project, but stressed “it shouldn't fall to these groups to do it alone”.
She said while the federal government had promised more money through the NDIS, it would not come in until 2017. A working group will meet before April to discuss the issue.
