Queensland scores a cake for its consideration
The Queensland Government may see some tangible results from an announcement that five blocks would be allocated to housing for the disabled, with one MS sufferer saying she would bake the Government a cake in thanks.
Bronwyn Tarlton made the pledge in an interview overnight - she is a success story for the disability group Youngcare, who were able to find a new home and spare the multiple-sclerosis patient an extended stay in a dementia ward where she had been housed for several months.
The spontaneous act of bakery was inspired by a Queensland Government announcement that $2 million would be donated as well as several blocks of land for Youngcare to establish apartments.
Youngcare general manager Anna Cox said the charity is now working on designs.
“I think everyone agrees that aged care is no place for a young person but, for 1400 young Queenslanders today, that was the reality they woke to this morning, a life in aged care,” Ms Cox said, “the simple and practical issue is there's been nowhere else to go. Even if there was enough money to pay for your recurrent care, the 24/7 nursing that these people need, there's simply been nowhere else to go.”
Queensland Premier Campbell Newman says the Government had to dig around to help: “The challenge for the Queensland Government is that we're a bit strapped for cash right now ... but what we do have is a situation where we are quite well off with land.”
Youngcare works to find accommodation for people with disabilities who are forced to stay in homes for the elderly due to a lack of dedicated facilities or other factors.