When housing and support work together
When Michelle was diagnosed with younger onset dementia at just 52, her family had already spent years searching for answers.
Her mother, Denise, had noticed changes in her daughter, but finding services equipped to support someone of Michelle’s age was difficult.
“Getting someone to help her and get a diagnosis was the hardest part,” Denise said.
“I saw a number of specialists looking for answers, but because Michelle was too young, many services simply weren't geared towards people her age.”
Receiving a diagnosis brought some answers, but it also presented another challenge: finding somewhere appropriate for Michelle to live.
Today, 59-year-old Michelle lives in purpose-built Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) provided by GR8 Disability Housing, with support delivered by The Dementia Foundation.
Before making the move, Michelle had spent time in hospital, where the changing environment and different staff made it difficult to provide the familiarity and consistency she needed.
“In hospital there are different staff coming and going all the time and people don't always know Michelle or understand her needs,” Denise said.
“Where she lives now, the staff know her, they've built a bond with her and they treat her as a person, not just someone with a disability.”
Her new home has also been designed to help her move around more safely and comfortably.
“She can move around much more easily and safely. The house has all the bells and whistles, and it's made a huge difference to her quality of life,” Denise said.
For GR8 Disability Housing Managing Director Perry Kleppe, Michelle’s experience demonstrates why the right housing is only one part of achieving better outcomes for participants with complex needs.
“We are seeing people in their 40s and 50s who are ready to leave hospital but have nowhere appropriate to go,” Perry said.
“This is not just a housing shortage. It is a disconnect between how housing is designed, how funding is allocated and what people need to live well.”
GR8 works closely with support providers, families and other organisations involved in a participant’s care to help create housing arrangements that work for the individual.
It’s an approach that recognises that a fit-for-purpose home, consistent support and collaboration between the right people can all play an important role in someone’s quality of life.
For Denise, seeing Michelle settled somewhere she is known, supported and comfortable has reinforced what appropriate housing can make possible.
“We need more housing like this. People with younger onset dementia need a safe place to live with the right support around them. They shouldn't have to stay in hospital because there is nowhere suitable for them to go.”
