Abstract:

Housing is inextricably linked to a general sense of security and well being, a feeling of independence and control over one's life (Currie. 1996). There are a number of programs across Australia that cater 10 those individuals with complex disabilities who require high level personal care and domestic support each week in order to live at home. During the assessment process, the built environment is considered with regard to its ability to support or hinder the client and the formal and informal carers involved. At any one time there are a number of clients who have been assessed and tentative by approved for program hours pending the supply and/or modification of their home environment. In the absence of a suitable discharge environment these people may remain in hospital, be transferred into residential care or discharged into an inappropriate home environment. These environments can place various type s of stress onto the person and their careers, which can result in high levels of frustration and anxiety, and places the person at significant risk of institutionalisation and the breakdown of the carer relationship. For example, an appropriate built environment has been identified as a facilitator for self-ca re practices, and can play a role in reducing the disability threshold and has an impact on waged care (Camemolla & Bridge 2011). A qualitative analysis of the data kept by the Attendant Care and Physical Disability Unit (part of FACS, NSW Government) found some of the critical issues caused by inappropriate housing for this client group. Care providers face additional issues when trying to support these clients. This paper seeks to identify and discuss the risks and potential care crises that appropriate housing/living environments can avert