STRONG interest has prompted the Summer Foundation to return to Bendigo to help central Victorians make the issues affecting young people with disability entering aged care known.
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The Melbourne-based advocacy group aims to work with a further six participants to prepare submissions for the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety.
A workshop in Bendigo on Thursday was fully booked, with family groups coming from Ballarat and Shepparton for the opportunity.
Summer Foundation chief of staff Carolyn Finis said a second workshop had been scheduled to cater for excess demand.
“Our workshops involve a facilitator working one-on-one with a person or family group to help them make their submission to the royal commission, so we limit each workshop to six participants,” she said.
The foundation is staging about 20 workshops, nationwide.
Ms Finis said interest had varied across the country.
“People’s experiences with aged care are varied but the variations are driven by personal circumstances rather than geography,” she said.
“The overwhelming sentiment is that aged care is not an appropriate place for young people.
“This has not been surprising for us, but the individual stories of lived experience will give the royal commission a powerful insight into the issue.”
The royal commission will examine how best to deliver services to people with disabilities in aged care, including younger people.
More than 6000 young Australians with disability live in aged care, according to the Summer Foundation.
It said 50 Australians under the age of 65 entered aged care each week because there was nowhere else for them to live that would support their needs.
The foundation aims to resolve the issue of young people living in nursing homes.
“We are committed to supporting as many people as we can to make a submission to the royal commission,” Ms Finis said.
People interested in attending the March 7 workshop in Bendigo can contact the Summer Foundation on 1300 626 560 or info@summerfoundation.org.au.
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Emma D'Agostino
Covering general news and Bendigo council.
Covering general news and Bendigo council.
