I am a 53 years old female. There is NO age appropriate residential facility or age appropriate respite available for me in the state in which I live. If I need to enter an aged care facility, I consider the site will be breaking no less than ten (10) of the Australian Aged Care Accreditation Standards, because of my age. This breach of a duty of care towards people with younger onset dementia appears to have been completely overlooked by the government, aged care facilities, and importantly, the Accreditation Standards board. There is no way the food, lifestyle opportunities, socialisation programs, furnishings would suit me. Below is a list of the standards a residential aged care facility contravenes when residents under 65 years of age are residing permanently or in respite. It is part of my submission for the governments Inquiry into dementia: early diagnosis and intervention. Definitely food for thought…
Standard 2: Health and Personal Care
2.12 Lack of appropriate continence management, and instead the necessity by neglect of the use of continence aids
2.15 Oral and dental care cannot be provided if the resident does not have suitable mobility to travel to a dentist as there is no dental service available on site
Standard 3: Resident Lifestyle
3.4 Emotional support requirements differ to the aged person
3.5 Independence changes – not easy to maintain friendships and participate in life of the facility due to significant age differences
3.6 Dignity may be impaired due relationships are only available with residents with significant age differences
3.7 Leisure activities set up for the elderly, not people under 65
3.8 Very different lifestyle, age related cultural backgrounds and values
3.9 Impaired choice and decision-making as no matter how much control they may be able to exercise, the choices available are specific to the elderly
Standard 4: Physical environment and safe systems
4.4 Living environment set up and aesthetically suitable for older residents
4.8 Catering provision is targeted to the taste requirements of a different generation, and to residents who may be far more impaired physically
funny how things come up..today a friend 79 was talking about her son 50 who has a very very bad heart/lung/stomach/bowel problem. he is on oxygen and she gets very little sleep as he coughs and vomits a lot during night and his dietary needs are very specific. she has already found it necessary to put her husband into an aged care facility, he has Parkinsons. this was heart wrenching but necessary. but now to find somewhere for her son… impossible at this stage. he has recently been accessed for an Aged care package…at 50. although this is still living at home where mum will still be primary carer…a lot to ask of her…and when she is gone???? :((
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This is a problem in the UK as well. My sister is in a very pleasant o.a.p. care home but the other residents are all at least twenty years older than she. There is the side effect ( which I also notice when I spend prolonged periods of time with my 96 year old mother) that living with older people tends to make you feel and act older.
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this is a crime as far as I am concerned.. the government need to think about this as does the residential facilities and owners.. keep fighting the fight so you can stay out of them
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