In the hospital phase family members may need to consider alternative accommodation for a loved one who requires additional assistance to live in the community.

The type of accommodation a person will need following Acquired Brain Injury will depend on the level of support required to maintain quality of life. For example, a person with high medical or nursing care needs would not be appropriately supported in a hostel. The options available to a person with ABI and their family may be impacted by;

• Funding available to the person
• The family’s social support network
• Capacity of the family to look after the person in the home
• Services available in the area
• Level of support a person requires

SLOW STREAM REHABILITATION FACILITIES

There are three long-term accommodation facilities for people with Acquired Brain Injury, all situated in Brisbane. Given the demand and so few beds there can be substantial waiting lists.

The Jacana Centre has two facilities. The first is at Bald Hills Hospital, a 40 bed residence for those between 17 and 45 years old with brain injury or a disability. There are two beds for slow stream rehabilitation and eight beds for occasional and emergency respite. Residents must require 24 hour nursing care or supervision. The cost is 87% of pension.

The second facility is at the Eventide nursing home at Brighton. There is a 16 bed facility for residential care and rehabilitation of younger people with a brain injury. Referrals are usually only accepted if there is a dual diagnosis (brain injury and an existing mental illness as well). This facility is secure in that it is equipped to handle wanderers.

Casuarina Lodge is situated at Wynnum and provides hospital type accommodation for slow stream rehabilitation, high dependency care and respite care for people 18 to 45 years old with an Acquired Brain Injury.

SUPPORTED ACCOMMODATION FACILITIES

Some Non-Government agencies in Queensland have received funding to set up supported accommodation facilities that are specific to the needs of people with ABI. There are few of these available which mean it can be difficult to get a place. Contact the Department of Communities- Disability Services for more information on these types of supported accommodation.

HOSTELS (Low-Care)

Hostels are typically large houses divided into small bedrooms which may be shared or single and allocated to either male or female tenants. There are usually on-site managers who provide differing levels of supervision. Some hostels will provide meals, supervision of challenging behaviours, laundry services and medication supervision. Hostels that provide this level of support are usually classed as Level 3 Hostels.
Hostels are not suitable for people with high-level care needs, such as need for nursing assistance e.g. toileting, personal care. Many hostels cater for people with a mental illness and have psychiatric support specialists visiting on a regular basis. There are no hostels set up specifically for people with a brain injury so they are frequently not suitable or a compromise at best. The cost will usually be around 85%+ of the pension or benefit.

HOUSING SERVICES IN QUEENSLAND

Waiting lists for public housing are generally long but may be worthwhile for those with a permanent disability who can live independently in the community. The wait list for housing is based on priority of need. This means that if you are eligible for social housing assistance your application is placed on the Department of Communities (Housing and Homelessness Services) housing register according to your level of housing need. People considered as having the highest housing need are those that are homeless, or their current housing is inappropriate and they have issues with accessing tenancy in the private rental market.
The options for housing range from detached houses, duplex, town houses, apartments to senior units.
The Department of Communities (Housing and Homeless Services) may be able to provide help with rental bonds, rental subsidies and help with the cost of moving into private accommodation. See their website for more information http://www.housing.qld.gov.au
The Community Rent Scheme operates state wide providing short to medium term accommodation for people on the waiting list with Housing Queensland. Priority is given to those people with the greatest need: seeking refuge from domestic violence situations, people with a disability, aboriginal people and migrants.

OWN HOME WITH SUPPORT

The Department of Communities – Disability Services offers funding for lifestyle support packages. These packages fund in-home support services and community access support. However, there are not many of these packages available and they are usually allocated based on highest assessed need. To apply for support from Disability Services you will need to submit a single application for support to your closest Disability Services office.

Community Health Services may provide free support through personal care attendants but there is a long waiting list in most cases. There are various private options available, if a person has compensable or private funds. BIAQ offers a lifestyle support service specifically for people with an Acquired Brain Injury including supported accommodation, community access and individualised lifestyle support.

The Home and Community Care (HACC) program funds basic maintenance and support services to help frail older people and younger people with disabilities to continue living in their community. Community nursing services such as Blue Care may receive HACC funding to provide in-home assistance to HACC eligible clients, this may include personal care, domestic assistance and transport to appointments. Meals on Wheels are able to provide meals for people unable to cook for themselves. Contact Carelink for information on local HACC funded services 1800 052 222
Brain Injury Association of Queensland
The Association has begun the INTERFACE Accommodation Project, a group of 8 independent wheelchair accessible villas and one caretaker unit, within a comfortable walk to local facilities and shops and close to wheelchair accessible public transport.

Each villa is positioned to form a hollow square around a central community area, which serves as a common area for social activities or group development programmes. Residents may elect to purchase their villa or rent at comparable rates to similar dwelling types in the same suburb. Residents (or legal guardians) may form a governing body to determine their collective common support needs. People who require around-the-clock support are often forced to pay workers to be present for periods of non-active support.

Links

• Housing and Homelessness Services
  http://www.housing.qld.gov.au/
• Acquired Brain Injury Outreach Service (ABIOS)
  http://www.health.qld.gov.au/abios/asp/housing.asp
• Homeless Persons Information Line
  Phone: 1800 47 47 53 (1800 HPIQLD) or TTY 1800 010 222.

For more information, click the accommodation link at www.braininjury.org.au