Every individual has the right to live their lives the way they’d like, regardless of age or gender. It may be concerning housing, income, employment, nourishment, travel or education. Senior citizens and people with special needs may often find it difficult to live independent and comfortable lives due to the lack of access, information, facilities, or adaptations in dwellings. It would be helpful to have housing and support that adhere to each individual’s specific needs, enabling them to have a comfortable life. Disability Services in Gold Coast provides short-term accommodations, day service centres, support coordination, Supported Independent Living and other facilities curated to the needs of individuals, making their supported living spaces feel like home.
Gold coast is a well-known city in Australia with a population of around 635,000. The Survey of Disability, Ageing, and Careers (SDAC) states that 6.6 per cent of young residents and children of Gold Coast aged between 0-24 require physical or mental health support due to a disability. Also, about 50,500 seniors have a disability and 15,132 require assistance to perform their core activities. Therefore, trusted Disability Services are necessary for the area.
Issues That Seniors Face Regarding Accommodation
Senior citizens who require special facilities and nursing support during long-term and short-term accommodation might find it difficult to find places that suit their needs. They may require support for physical tasks like walking, sitting, standing up and going to the bath or toilet, and emotional support. They also might need facilities like on-the-call medical support, nutrition and dietary preparation, housekeeping and hygiene. Caretakers and families might find it hard to fulfil all their needs at home due to poor facilities, lack of training, the requirement of professional support, work commitments etc. It can also be difficult for seniors with special needs to find employment. In such cases, affordability can be an issue in finding appropriate housing or customising their own homes, especially if they do not have pensions or savings.
Government Regulations on Housing Services
The United Nations has stated the right to adequate housing for everyone, including senior citizens and people with special needs. Abiding by this rule, the Australian government provides funding for thousands of people in need through the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). Facilities like Future Independence Disability Services also offer accommodation adhering to this scheme to help seniors find housing that suits their needs.
Facilities Provided With Supported Accommodation and Respite Care
NDIS propagates services to provide facilities catering to seniors and people with special needs. Such housing must have improved liveability, be fully accessible, robust and provide adequate physical support for its residents.
Accommodations provided by Disability Services in Gold Coast adhere to special requirements that seniors may have regarding luminance, support lighting, improved lines for the night, wayfinding, light-based fire alarms and doorbells, hearing loops, consistency in staircases, slopes, platforms, levels and fittings. The entries and exits to houses and indoors have easy access. They also have wheelchair accessible bathrooms, kitchen fixtures, automated windows, doors, lighting and blinds. Assistive technology for heating, cooling and communication, structural changes to support ceiling hoists and emergency power backups also help older people who need minimal physical involvement.
The doors, windows and fittings are made of highly resilient materials to ensure minimal risk of injury and disturbance. Features such as glass lamination, sound-proofing are available to support their sensitive sensory needs. Finally, seniors with extreme physical needs or impairments and those who require support with self-care and management can request nurses and caretakers who can help them with the same. They also provide service centres to help them socialise and involve in various activities like arts, crafts, sports and gardening.