31-year-old in rest-home care

DON SCOTT/The Press

COMPLAINT: Robyn Rainey, 31, is unhappy about having to live in a Christchurch rest home.

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Robyn Rainey is aged 31 and lives in a Christchurch rest home.

She is one of nearly 1000 young people around the country who are forced to live with the elderly because there is no appropriate accommodation for them elsewhere.

Rainey, who has Down syndrome and breathing difficulties, has lodged a complaint with the Human Rights Tribunal over the lack of appropriate facilities for young people with ongoing medical needs.

She moved into the rest home in May after her breathing difficulties worsened and the supported facility where she was flatting could not meet her medical needs.

"I don't take any medication. I have a bit of oxygen or drops when I feel faint to help my breathing. This doesn't happen very often. It's crazy, but this is why I am in a hospital," Rainey said in an open letter to The Press and the Canterbury District Health Board.

"This week, someone in a room near me passed on ... I need to get used to this. I am young. I shouldn't have to live like this."

Health board member Olive Webb raised concerns about the high number of young people living in rest homes at last week's board meeting.

Webb, a psychologist and disabilities advocate, said it was unacceptable that "vibrant" young people such as Rainey were shunted into homes with people at the end of their lives.

Webb said more than 700 young people were funded by the Ministry of Health and about 300 by the ACC to live in rest homes around the country.

She hoped Rainey's complaint to the Human Rights Tribunal and open letter might prompt action from the Government.

Health board chairman Alister James said the Government funded placements for young people requiring ongoing medical help.

This did not mean the board should not investigate alternative arrangements for an estimated 100 young people in Canterbury living in rest homes.

James said he would encourage discussion of the problem at board meetings.

Ministry disability support services group manager Anne O'Connell said it recognised that aged residential care services were inappropriate for young people with disabilities.

This option was taken after all community-based options had been considered, she said.

In some cases, aged residential care was the only option.

- © Fairfax NZ News