Youngcare stunt sees a wheelchair-bound man placed in a box with two old people
Charity Youngcare staged a controversial stunt this week, placing a 36 year-old wheelchair-bound man in a perspex box with two elderly people.
The idea was to make the point that young disabled people should not be put in old people’s homes. According to the charity, 6,500 young disabled Australians are living in aged care because they have no alternative.
The box was designed to appear, feel, sound and smell like a nursing home for the aged. Passers-by were encouraged to write what they felt about the stunt on the side of the box.
http://youtu.be/RLRM7fKq0vA
But it’s ok to put old people in “old people’s homes”? I reckon it would suck either way.
well done – makes a clear point well. When I am elderly I doubt I will want to subject youngin’s to me and my old mates and our bad taste in music and soft foods. Let alone the young people not wanting to be with them.
Love it – great stunt guys
The issue is a big one nationally and it is often buried under a number of other pressing issues in the human services space, anything that helps bring it to the fore of the media space is good.
Interesting. Does anyone know why young wheelchair bound people have no other alternative to old people’s homes? Where is the glitch in the system?
What a brilliant campaign!
Great stunt. Very clever and effective idea from the Youngcare team. Well done guys
The stunt was designed to replicate what it is like for the young who require high level care to be living in aged care facilities, and I think it’s great that this issue is getting some attention.
Ben Coverdale – a lot of the time young people with high-care needs end up in nursing homes and aged care facilities because it is the easiest way to provide the 24 hour high level care that they require. Usually these young people have other care needs than just being wheelchair bound. The glitch is a lack of affordability for and access to care facilities that accommodate the needs of young people.
Such a great concept – well done – a great way to communicate this issue.
Ben – the issue is generally around social housing and care placement availability for young people in need of 24/7 care. The lack of available beds means they are placed into other types of care that have availability – such as aged care. Not exactly the right spot for a young person with a disability.
Read this story from their website:
http://www.youngcare.com.au/page.aspx?pid=771
I think this is a fantastic campaign. Do you know if there is going to be any government funding put towards finding an alternative for young people with no other option?
Youngcare is a great charity, doing great work in the absence of any government solution.
Sam – the govt is working on the implementation of a National Disability Insurance Scheme that will provide young people with more choice – but it doesn’t cover capital buildings. We have had some funding from governments for our two housing projects but have heavily relied on the support of businesses and community groups to get our projects off the ground. Youngcare believes that aged care is appropriate for the aged – how would you feel being in your 20s, 30s, 40s 50s and having to share a residence where the average age is 83? It’s not appropriate for young people. Youngcare believes that every young person deserve to live a young life, regardless of their care needs.
Great work for a great cause
What a fantastic campaign. Can it be done in all major centers. I live on the Gold Coast were a lot of people come to retire and the age care facilities are first class but the way people with disabilities are treated is well behind. I know that Youngcare is building a facility here which is fantastic but like anything they have to rely on donations etc. The government really needs to reassess the funding for people with disabilities. The implementation of a National Disability Insurance Scheme will address may issues but society has a whole needs to redress the role of “caring” in a society where people are older and families are more diverse that ever. These Young people have the same rights as every one else but are still regarded as a minority and labeled with the term “disabled”. Society need to understand every person has needs and wishes and should be allowed to fulfill them.
I know how it feels.. I am dis able to buy a house in the current market and therefore live with my parents.
I agree wih Andrea, being in a nursing home sucks no matter what your age.
Are you planning on doing anymore of these type of campaigns? And where abouts was this one done? Also in regards to the funding that you have received for the 2 housing projects, what is the status of these projects?