A SENATE inquiry considering the plight of younger Australians living in aged care will hear testimony from the disability sector at a hearing in the Northern Territory this week.

Last November, after hearing the stories of young people in aged care, Liberal Senator Linda Reynolds secured bipartisan support for a Senate Inquiry into the adequacy of existing residential care arrangements for younger Australians with physical, mental and intellectual disabilities.

Senator Reynolds said hearings held across the country had already highlighted an urgent need for a more people focused approach and better coordination between government agencies to ensure younger Australians with disabilities are kept out of unsuitable aged care accommodation.

“Testimony has shown many younger Australians with complex support needs often exist in a bureaucratic ‘no-mans-land’ between the aged care, disability, health, housing and community services sectors because of a lack of coordination between agencies,” Senator Reynolds said.

“These agencies work in silos resulting in a fragmented, ineffective coordination of funding and resources to where it is needed most.

“Federal, State and local governments must also find a way to work together at the grass roots level to ensure young people with disabilities are seen as the people they are and receive tailored support.”

Senator Reynolds said she looked forward to hearing from members of the disability sector at the Darwin hearing scheduled for Wednesday April, 1^st 2015.

“It is important we listen carefully and act accordingly to ensure younger people with disabilities have access to the appropriate tailored care, support and services for their individual needs,” she said.

For more information visit:

Young People In Aged Care

–ENDS—

Media Contact: Jessica Hayes 0427333147

Fast Facts: 

Nearly 6500 younger Australians aged 18-65 live in nursing homes and utilise 5 per cent of residential aged care beds due to a lack of suitable accommodation.