Ding Ding Ding! – Round Two
Youngcare At Home Care Grants NSW
Thanks to the support of GIO Insurance, Youngcare was proud to launch the second round of At Home Care Grants in New South Wales last month, following a successful Round One in late 2011. In addition to the $100,000 made available in Round One, GIO has committed a further $130,000 to enable more young people living at home to access the home modifications, equipment and emergency respite they need.
Youngcare’s General Manager Strategy and Research, Anna Cox said that the Youngcare At Home Care Grants are an integral part of the support Youngcare provides to young Australians with high care needs and their families who are caring for them.
“Of our eligible applications in Round One, we saw an oversubscription rate of six to one, which shows a drastic need for this kind of support in the disability sector, with so many more families needing assistance,” Ms Cox said.
“With Round Two closing on May 18, we expect the demand to be similarly overwhelming,” she said.
To help deliver grants to even more young people, a full-day radio appeal was held on Wednesday May 16 on Sydney’s 2GB and 2CH radio stations, to raise further funds to contribute to the At Home Care Grants program in New South Wales.
One of the grant recipients from Round 1, Emily, was interviewed on the day and you can read her story below.
The Youngcare At Home Care Grants exist to assist young people (aged 18-65) with high care needs who are living at home and at risk of entering aged care facilities. Initially introduced in Queensland in 2009, the program was extended into New South Wales in 2011, thanks to the support of GIO.
Emily’s story Emily was born with cerebral palsy and requires support for all activities of daily living. She currently uses an old, electric wheelchair that requires an upgrade.
Emily, now 21, studies social work at the University of Sydney and hopes to one day work with people with a disability and mental illness. In order to study, Emily uses all of her government care funding to receive assistance to attend.
To decrease her reliability on carers for her everyday travel, Emily was granted funding for an automatic door and manual wheelchair.
She says the new automatic door will enable her to come and go as she pleases, granting her greater independence as well as some spontaneity in her life.
“It will give me flexibility to come and go without constantly having to make arrangements to fit in with other persons.”
“Also, I will feel a lot safer because I can leave the house at any time if there is an emergency.”
In terms of financial benefits, Emily says the automatic door means she can redirect some of her care expenses to social and recreational activities.
Emily says the new wheelchair will provide more support and greater comfort.
The wheelchair will make travelling on public transport and access to some venues and shops easier. Travelling will be generally easier and less stressful as the electric wheelchair is very cumbersome and less user-friendly in many locations, such as when travelling away for holiday breaks. It will also help with University field days where access is sometimes unknown.
Ultimately, the new wheelchair and manual door will grant Emily greater normality in her everyday living.