A room to call her own

It is difficult to imagine what it must feel like to living in an aged care home where the average age of residents is mid-eighties and yet you are only in your mid-forties. For Glenys, this was her reality for the past 17 years.

In 2005, Glenys suffered a significant brain injury after she was hit by a car one evening. Despite life-saving operations and rehabilitation, Glenys was unable to live on her own, and an aged care home was the only available housing option available.

According to family friend Steve, Glenys’ life has been excruciatingly difficult living in homes that were not age appropriate. Steve mentioned a lack of privacy and along with having no age-appropriate activities or social programs to alleviate the boredom, as being his greatest concern.

Following the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Neglect Safety interim report, the Australian Government announced Younger People in Residential Aged Care (YPIRAC) targets and an intention to develop a strategy to meet those targets is now underway to assist younger people (those aged under 65) to move out of nursing homes and into the community - with all the supports they need to live safely, healthily, and happily.

Glenys was able to access Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) under her NDIS plan. Now in her early sixties, she finally has a room to call her own and life is looking much more positive.

Hume worked with Northcott who Glenys’ Supported Independent Living provider and her NDIS Support Coordinator, Ability Options to determine what Glenys needed to live successfully in the community. A suitable group home was identified, after careful matching with compatible residents to ensure the new environment was one that could support her physical and mental wellbeing.

Today, Glenys lives in her own home. She has a private sun-filled bedroom in the group home in Sydney’s West. She sits happily at the dining table playing her beloved board games with her support worker and is gradually developing new friendships. 

She loves mealtimes and is soothed by the gentle rhythm of the homely environment. Hume manages the maintenance and upkeep of her home and supports Glenys to maintain her tenancy agreement.

“The change in Glenys has been amazing since she moving to her new home,’ says Steve. “She is more alert, more stable, her medication has been reduced and it’s so good to see how much one-on-one time she gets with her support workers. I do not think she has ever had the attention or support she is receiving now.”

One of the long-term goals in her new home is to gradually introduce Glenys to the homes garden and outdoor areas. With Glenys’ disability, it will be a planned and slow process, but life is finally looking up and there are blue skies ahead for Glenys.