How does disability residential care meet the needs of residents?
Community and Family Studies
Independent Research Project
1
How does disability residential care meet the needs of residents?
Table of Contents
Abstract
3
Acknowledgements
4
Introduction
5
Review of Existing Information
6
Methods of data collection
9
Results and Findings
10
Analysis and Discussion
14
Conclusion
17
Bibliography
18
Appendices
19
2
How does disability residential care meet the needs of residents?
Abstract
This Independent Research Project’s hypothesis question is ‘How does disability
residential care meet the needs of residents?’ It’s objective is to determine the
relationship between disability care accommodation and the needs of individuals with
a disability.
Interviews and questionnaires were utilised as primary research methodologies.
Interviews allowed me to gain more in-depth and qualitative data. Individuals with
professions that directly link to the topic were interviewed which provided information
on a professional level. These interviewees consisted of two residential care
disability support workers and one disability support coordinator. The questionnaires
were used to support and further elucidate the findings within the interviews. The
questionnaires were filled out by another four disability support workers who
provided extra information on the role of care accommodation in the fulfilment of
needs of those with disabilities. Secondary research was also conducted to provide
context for the data within the primary.
The obtained information showed that disability care has a monumental impact on
the wellbeing of individuals that have a disability. The data proves that the needs of
residents are met through the collaboration of the institution of care accommodation
as well as the disability carers who work for the homes. Results indicate that the
qualification and experience shown by these disability carers reflect their adequacy
in caring for their residents. Through the services provided by the companies in
which they work, the NDIS packages, their unique communication styles and their
promotion of independence residential care facilities meet the holistic health
requirements of individuals with disabilities.
3
How does disability residential care meet the needs of residents?
Acknowledgements
This task and the research behind it would not be possible without the ongoing
support of Mrs Stutchbury. Her passion, knowledge and enthusiasm has been very
beneficial and has allowed me to keep on track with this task from my first ideas to
the final product. She has given many of her afternoons and free periods to assist
each person within the class to help them achieve the best grade possible. I would
also like to thank all of the people who participated in the completion of my surveys
and interviews for my primary research in this Individual Research Project. Finally, a
massive thank you to my family and friends at home for supporting me through my
stressful afternoons and late nights I spent on this task.
4
How does disability residential care meet the needs of residents?
Introduction
The independent research project is focused on disability residential care and
how this meets the needs of residents.
The area of study falls into the syllabus topic ‘Groups in Context’. This module
focuses on specific groups within the community. It explores these groups and
details issues of concern as well as positive social environments for the groups. One
of the mandatory groups is people with disabilities. This directly correlates with my
proposed question, “How does disability residential care meet the needs of
residents”. The investigation allows for information to be gathered on this mandatory
group and will help with any further studies when this topic is covered more
specifically.
Within the investigation, through both primary and secondary research, the topic of
people with disabilities will be explored closely. Through the employment of
interviews and questionnaires as the primary research methodologies, issues of
concern within the group will be identified as well as the role that positive social
environments can have on enhancing the wellbeing of the group and individuals. The
inequities faced by people with disabilities will be distinguished by examining the
nature of the group, their specific needs and the level of their access to services.
This information gathered will help in accurately addressing and answering the
intended inquiry.
5
How does disability residential care meet the needs of residents?
Review of Existing Information
A person with a disability is someone who has a long-term physical, hearing, seeing,
cognitive, mental or emotional impairment that substantially limits one or more major
life activity.1 Most (95%) of Australians with a disability live at home or in the
community (in group accommodation). The more severe a person’s disability is, the
more likely they are to be living in cared accommodation and the less likely they are
to live at home or in the community. 86% of individuals with a severe or profound
disability live at home or in the community, compared with close to 100% with other
disabilities.2 While most people (95.7%) with disability lived in households, 4.3%
lived in cared-accommodation. 3
Residential care is a term used to describe the general care and support provided in
a standard disability care home.4 This care provides accommodation for individuals
that have disabilities that require 24/7 assistance. These facilities, as well as
disability workers, play a quintessential role in ensuring that the needs of residents
are met. The specific needs required by these individuals are an adequate standard
of living (food, clothing, shelter), health, education, employment, safety and security
and sense of identity.5
The NDIS (National Disability Insurance Scheme) is a scheme of the Australian
Government that funds cost associated with disability. The scheme was legislated in
2013 and went into full operation in 2020.6 The scheme entitles people with a
"permanent and significant" disability (under the age of 65), to full funding for any
"reasonable and necessary" support needs related to their disability. Funding is
allocated to the individual, and the individual or their guardian chooses which
providers supply the funded goods and services.7 The SDA design standard
promotes an adequate standard of living within residential accommodations. The
SDA Design Standard has been developed through extensive consultation across
government, private sector, the housing industry and disability organisations. It sets
out detailed design requirements that will be incorporated into newly built residential
care facilities, seeking enrollment under the National Disability Insurance Scheme.
This standard has four categories of SDA design which are set out in the SDA Rules:
- Improved Liveability
- Robust
- Fully Accessible
1
2
http://www.disability.wa.gov.au/understanding-disability1/understanding-disability/what-is-disability/
https://www.aihw.gov.au/getmedia/3bc5f549-216e-4199-9a82-fba1bba9208f/aihw-dis-74.pdf.aspx
3
https://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/Lookup/4430.0Main+Features1022015?OpenDocumen
t
4
https://www.scimitarcare.co.uk/how-we-care/types-of-care.php
5
CAFS Groups In Context Booklet
6
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Disability_Insurance_Scheme
7
https://www.ndis.gov.au/about-us
6
How does disability residential care meet the needs of residents?
- High Physical Support.8
This government legislation creates a foundation for the adequacy expected by
housing units within Australia. It provides people with disabilities with the food,
clothing and shelter necessary to promote an individual’s holistic wellbeing.9
The obvious feature of residential care provided to people with disabilities is that of
‘housing’, most commonly in the form of group homes. Group and community homes
allow people with disability to live together in a comfortable, social home
environment, with skilled support staff on hand 24 hours a day.10 Group homes are
the principle supported accommodation option for people with intellectual disability
who are no longer able to live at home with their parents. The funding options under
the NDIS help to support new, more flexible and potentially individualised options
that separate housing and support. In 2017, approximately 16,500 people lived in
group homes, most of whom have an intellectual disability.11
The likelihood of a person with a disability living in cared-accommodation increased
with age and disability severity:
- One in five (19.4%) people with disability aged 80 years and over lived in
cared-accommodation, compared with 3.2% of those aged 65-79 years
- Less than 1.0% (13,500) of people aged 0-64 years with disability lived in
cared-accommodation
- More than one in five (21.2%) people with a profound limitation lived in
cared-accommodation, compared with 2.7% of those with a severe
limitation.12
This plays a vital role in informing the health and wellbeing of people with disabilities,
by providing shelter, safety and security. The availability of affordable, sustainable
and appropriate housing helps people with disabilities to participate in the social,
economic and community aspects of everyday life.13 A person who does not have
access to affordable, secure and appropriate housing may experience several
negative consequences, including homelessness, poor health, and lower rates of
employment and education.
Disability support workers provide care, supervision and support for people with
disabilities in the home, residential establishments, clinics and hospitals. They also
work with other health professionals to maximise the individual's physical and mental
8
https://www.dss.gov.au/disability-and-carers/programmes-services/for-people-with-disability/national-d
isability-insurance-scheme
9
https://humanrights.gov.au/about/news/speeches/housing-human-rights-and-sustainability
10
https://achieveaustralia.org.au/disability-services/disability-accommodation/group-homes/
11
https://disability.royalcommission.gov.au/system/files/submission/ISS.001.00062.PDF
12
https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/health/disability/disability-ageing-and-carers-australia-summary-findi
ngs/latest-release
13
https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/disability/people-with-disability-in-australia/contents/housing
7
How does disability residential care meet the needs of residents?
wellbeing. Disability support workers help their clients with a range of daily tasks.
These may include personal hygiene facilitation, mobility support, shopping tasks,
food preparation, housework tasks, and the coordination of social events.14
Individuals that wish to become support workers must complete a vocational
qualification in disability or community services. This may be a Certificate III in
Individual Support or a Certificate IV in Disability. During these courses, individuals
learn how to adequately care for people with disabilities and the proper way to satisfy
their needs.15 The quality of life of people with a more severe or profound intellectual
disability is closely tied to the support they receive. Their role is not restricted to what
happens in the house and extends to things such as supporting people to maintain
family relationships or building connections with people in the local community.16
Support workers also assist clients in building a sense of identity. A coherent
disability identity helps individuals adapt to disability, including navigating related
social stresses and daily hassles. Identities help people make sense of different and
distinct parts of their self-concepts.17
The Aruma Disability Service is an example of a foundation that strives to foster the
wants and needs of people with disabilities. Aruma works in partnership with a
multitude of disability care homes in order to ensure the accommodation in which the
individual is placed is optimal for their specific needs.18 Aruma offers specific
programs directly related to disability residential care. These include:19
- Short term accommodation: Under the NDIS, Short Term Accommodation
and Assistance (STAA) replaces what used to be called respite for people
with a disability. Short Term Accommodation and Assistance can be both:
● A short stay in a property with other people.
● Additional support in the home.
- Individualised living options: Individual Living Options (ILO) is an NDIS
support that helps people with a disability live in a home of their choice with
support. The individual can choose how they want to live, where they live, and
who they want to live with. ILO doesn’t provide the house or dwelling itself, but
rather a flexible package of supports in the home.
- Supported independent living: Supported Independent Living (SIL) is
sometimes called shared accommodation. SIL is an NDIS support where a
person with a disability lives with other people who also have a disability. The
individual will also receive support with everyday tasks like cleaning, cooking
and personal care.
These residential services are in place to provide individuals with the support and
assistance required to satisfy their daily and long term needs.
14
https://www.centacarewa.com.au/what-is-the-role-of-a-disability-support-worker/media/
https://www.seek.com.au/career-advice/role/disability-support-worker
16
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/jar.12291
17
https://www.apa.org/pi/disability/resources/publications/newsletter/2013/11/disability-identity#:~:text=
A%20coherent%20disability%20identity%20is,parts%20of%20their%20self%2Dconcepts.
18
https://www.aruma.com.au/
19
https://www.aruma.com.au/disability-services/
15
8
How does disability residential care meet the needs of residents?
Methods of data collection
The forms of research methodology that were chosen for the primary research were
interviews and questionnaires. These methods were chosen to gather a range of
both qualitative and quantitative data. Three structured interviews were conducted
with three separate individuals who work within the field of disability residential care.
As well as this, a questionnaire was sent out to disability carers who work within
disability care homes across the Illawarra region.
Interviews were used for this research project, as it was useful to obtain qualitative
primary data. Interviews allow the respondents to give more in-depth answers and
express their opinions on the subject. The qualitative results obtained from the
interview will be used to support the secondary research for this task. Individuals
with professions that directly link to the topic were interviewed which provided
information on a professional level. A structured interview style was adopted which
included mostly open and longer response questions in order to obtain as much data
as possible. A limited number of quantitative and short answer questions were used
also. This interview-style will improve the reliability of the results as it will be
systematic and organised which will prompt consistent results.
Written questionnaires are the second source of research utilised for this project.
Questionnaires allow quantitative data to be collected from a wider range of people,
which is necessary to complete this task. With the use of both open and closed
questions, it allows for qualitative and quantitative data to be collected, as well as
giving individuals the opportunity to express their opinions on this topic in more
depth. Overall questionnaires are a sufficient way to collect data for this independent
research project, as it is quick, appropriate in gaining responses as well as beneficial
to support the data gathered within the interviews.
The types of sampling that were employed were purposive and convenience.
Purposive sampling is a sampling technique in which the researcher relies on
personal judgment when choosing members of a population to participate in a study.
For this research project, the interviewees were chosen strategically as a result of
their expertise on the topic. A judgement was made and specific individuals were
chosen out of the population to participate in the interviews. The other type of
sampling method that was adopted was convenience sampling. Convenience
sampling is a type of nonprobability sampling which involves the sample being drawn
from a part of the population that is readily available and convenient. The individuals
that the surveys were sent out to are all from the same local region. This was done
as a result of convenience meaning that the individuals were easily accessible and
available for their knowledge and opinions.
9
How does disability residential care meet the needs of residents?
Results and Findings
Three disability residential care workers were interviewed on the way in which
residential care meets the needs of residents. This information was then backed up
through questionnaires which were completed by another four disability workers. The
data gathered from this primary research details the reasoning as to how
cared-accommodation assists individuals with a disability in fulfilling every facet of
their life.
Two of the three individuals that were interviewed work as disability carers within
residential accommodation.2021 The other individual is a support worker who
specialises in the placement of people with disabilities into care homes.22 Of the two
disability carers one works for a company called Aruma, formerly known as House
With No Steps23, whilst the other works for the Cram Foundation.24 The support
worker works for the Benevolent Society.25 The experience of each interviewee
ranges from 6-25 years within their specific field. Interviewee 1 has been working
within their occupation for around twenty-five years26, interviewee 2 for ten years27
and interviewee 328 for six. In contrast, the experience of the respondents within the
questionnaire ranges from between 0-15+ years. Two of the respondents years of
experience span from five to ten years29 which is synonymous with Interviewee 2 and
3. One of the other respondents answered 15+ years30 which may be common with
interviewee 1. The final respondent is an outlier with their experience lying between
0-5 years.31
All three interviewees stated that there was a requirement of a driver’s license and
First Aid Certificate to qualify for the line of work of disability care.32 Interviewee 2,
extended their education and obtained a certificate III and certificate IV in Disabilities
in order to apply and receive a management role.33 Similarly, interviewee 3 achieved
a certificate III and is looking to get their certificate IV within the future to apply for a
leadership position.34 Interviewee 1 also mentioned that child protection and working
with children checks would also be useful for the occupation, this was not reinstated
by any of the other interviewees.
20
Appendix 2, question 3
Appendix 3, question 3
22
Appendix 1, question 3
23
Appendix 2, question 1
24
Appendix 3, question 1
25
Appendix 1, question 1
26
Appendix 1, question 4
27
Appendix 2, question 4
28
Appendix 3, question 4
29
Appendix 4 & 5, question 1
30
Appendix 6, question 1
31
Appendix 7, question 1
32
Appendix 1, 2 & 3, question 5
33
Appendix 2, question 5
34
Appendix 3, question 5
21
10
How does disability residential care meet the needs of residents?
Interviewee 2 and 3 both mentioned autism as a recurrent disability that each of
them have worked with over the years.35 Interviewee 2 also brought up the
commonality of intellectual disability within the care accommodation field, they
further stated physical disabilities such as cerebral palsy as one they have worked
with in the past. “They could have intellectual disability, autism and a physical
disability like cerebral palsy”.36 Interviewee 3 generalised their response by saying
they have worked with all kinds of disabilities from intellectual, cognitive and
physical.37
“Factors - would be their type of disability --. Other factors would be their age, if they
want to live with males or females, geographical area, whether they wish to live close
to their family still, their place of work or close to any day programs.”38 Interviewee 1
identified these factors as the primary informers of what accommodation unit an
individual should be placed in. Interviewee 2 stated that he believed health was the
most significant need of individuals with disabilities. Interviewee 3 supported this
idea as they also recognised health as the most important need. Interviewee 3
further distinguished safety as a significant requirement. Within the questionnaires
each respondent had a different answer as to what the most important need is.
These responses showed the different answers ranked number one:
- Health39
- Adequate standard of living40
- Safety and Identity41
- Sense of Identity42
35
Appendix 2 & 3, question 6
Appendix 2, question 6
37
Appendix 3, question 6
38
Appendix 1, question 6
39
Appendix 7, question 2
40
Appendix 6, question 2
41
Appendix 5, question 2
42
Appendix 4, question 2
36
11
How does disability residential care meet the needs of residents?
“We have a Housing and Supported living program as well as a Personal Care and
Daily living Program.”43 Appendix 2 and 3 both show that initiative programs are the
most efficient support services each company offers. “The day programs owned by
Aruma provide various community participation activities for the people we care
for.”44 Interviewee 2 explains the way in which Aruma’s programs increase
community attitudes and participation.
Interviewee 1 says that the humanisation of clients is one the main ways through
which they promote the wellbeing of individuals with disabilities. “By seeing them first
as a person and then secondly working with their disabilities whether it be mental or
physical.”45 Interviewee 2 explains how the NDIS funded package allows each client
to have access to an abundance of health care professionals. These professionals
can help individuals with any wellbeing issues that may arise, whether it be physical
or mental, for example general practitioners and psychologists.46 The NDIS was also
mentioned within appendix 5. “Through the NDIS we have access to health care
professionals who are always on standby.”47 Interviewee 3 detailed the modifications
that their specific group home has to promote the physical wellbeing of residents e.g
wheelchair ramps. They also similarly discussed occupational therapists such as
hydrotherapists and physiotherapists to help support individuals.48 The idea of these
therapists are further reinforced within appendix 7.49 Appendix 6 and 7 show that
communication is the main means through which they optimise mental wellbeing.50
Medication was also a tool mentioned within appendix 4 and 7.51
Each appendix from 2-7 were common in the way they advocate for each resident’s
sense of identity. All interviewees/respondents explained that they optimise this need
through promoting individuality and by fostering the likes and dislikes of each person.
Interviewee 2 put a great emphasis on the idea of giving each individual a range of
choices to determine how their day will pan out. “Various choices -- forms a part of
their personal identity. It’s important to understand that the more choices a resident
has, the better they can live their life.”52 Appendix 5 displays the respondent’s unique
system in the advocacy of self identity. The respondent explains that within their
home they encourage alone time where residents are able to collect their thoughts
and opinions. It also states that the residential home nurtures the ambitions and
goals of each resident. “We communicate with each individual and discuss any goals
they wish to achieve -- and see how we can reach them.”53
43
Appendix 3, question 8
Appendix 2, question 8
45
Appendix 1, question 9
46
Appendix 2, question 9
47
Appendix 5, question 3
48
Appendix 3, question 8
49
Appendix 7, question 3
50
Appendix 6 & 7, question 4
51
Appendix 4 & 7, question 4
52
Appendix 2, question 11
53
Appendix 5, question 5
44
12
How does disability residential care meet the needs of residents?
Across all appendices there was one main commonality. When asked about the
impact the residential care facility has on a client’s sense of wellbeing all
interviewees/respondents answered consistently with each other. The overall
consensus stated that the residential facility in which a client lives has the utmost
effect on an individual's holistic health. “The comfortability and warmness of an
individual's home has an impact on every person whether they have a disability or
not.”54 Interviewee 2 went on to discuss the changing nature of residential care
across Australia. “Then the government started their group home program where
people with a disability moved into supported independent living.”55 Interviewee 2
discussed the positive ramification of this change. “This gave the people that lived
there a sense of belonging to the community.”56 The questionnaires as shown within
appendix 4-7 shows a ranking scale from not important (1) to extremely important
(5). All responses show the ranking at 5. 57
54
Appendix 3, question 12
Appendix 3, question 12
56
Appendix 2, question 12
57
Appendix 4-7, question 6
55
13
How does disability residential care meet the needs of residents?
Analysis and Discussion
Several sources of both primary and secondary research have been gathered to
account for the way in which disability residential care meets the needs of residents.
The primary research shows that there are a multitude of tools that disability carers
employ in order to optimise the wellbeing of people with disabilities. The review of
existing information provides a background on residential care accommodation and
the methods adopted by these institutions.
Interviewee 1 works in direct correlation with the NDIS.58 The NDIS (National
Disability Insurance Scheme) is a scheme of the Australian Government that funds
costs associated with disability.59 The secondary data describes the NDIS as a
scheme that entitles people with a "permanent and significant" disability, to full
funding for any "reasonable and necessary" support needs related to their disability.60
The positive impact of the NDIS was also represented within appendices 2, 3 and
5.61 62 63 The NDIS allows individuals with disabilities to access a range of formal
support networks. These include contract therapists, psychologists, psychiatrists,
support coordination services, physiotherapy and/or hydrotherapy. The NDIS has the
utmost impact on fulfilling the needs of individuals with disabilities as it allows them
to have access to a range of physical and mental support services. Carers within
disability care homes assist individuals in retrieving their NDIS packages and
attending any services they may require.
In 2017, approximately 16,500 people lived in group homes, most of whom have an
intellectual disability.64 This secondary research was further backed up through
Interviewee 2. “I have worked with individuals that have autism, the main diagnosed
disability is what they call intellectual disability and that can be minor, moderate or
severe.”65 Group homes are the principle supported accommodation option for
people with intellectual disability who are no longer able to live at home with their
parents. The funding options under the NDIS help to support new, more flexible and
potentially individualised options that separate housing and support.66 With
intellectual disability being the most common form of disability within cared
accommodation, most institutions offer a range of services. The Specialist Disability
Accommodation (SDA) design creates a foundation for the adequacy expected by
58
Appendix 1, question 3
https://www.ndis.gov.au/about-us
60
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Disability_Insurance_Scheme
61
Appendix 2, question 8 & 9
62
Appendix 3, question 9
63
Appendix 5, question 3
64
https://disability.royalcommission.gov.au/system/files/submission/ISS.001.00062.PDF
65
Appendix 2, question 6
66
https://disability.royalcommission.gov.au/system/files/submission/ISS.001.00062.PDF
59
14
How does disability residential care meet the needs of residents?
cared housing units within Australia. 67 This design is constituted by four facets which
are in place to maintain the physical wellbeing of those with disabilities, more
specifically individuals with an intellectual disability. These categories include:
- Improved Liveability
- Robust
- Fully Accessible
- High Physical Support.
The disability support workers are essential in ensuring the needs of residents are
met. Without the carers, individuals with disabilities would be unable to have their
physical and mental health optimised. Disability support workers help their clients
with a range of daily tasks. These may include personal hygiene facilitation, mobility
support, shopping tasks, food preparation, housework tasks, and the coordination of
social events.68 Interviewee 2 and 3 discussed their daily routines in ensuring the
needs of their clients are met. “A typical day will always involve personal hygiene,
medication, assistance with breakfast, assistance with transportation to day
programs/medical appointments/family visits.”69 All respondents/interviewees
evidenced within appendices 1, 2, 6 and 7 show that one of their main techniques of
enhancing mental wellbeing is communication. “It’s all about communication”70
Interviewee 2 further explained how communication helps in increasing one’s sense
of identity. “-- a lot easier to communicate in regards to what they wanted which then
would have an impact on their self-identity.”71 A coherent disability identity helps
individuals adapt to disability, including navigating related social stresses and daily
hassles. Identities help people make sense of different and distinct parts of their
self-concepts. Self identity adds to a resident's sense of belonging.72
Disability support workers have been made equipped for their positions through
extensive qualifications and experience. Individuals that wish to become support
workers must complete a vocational qualification in disability or community
services.73 This may be a Certificate III in Individual Support or a Certificate IV in
Disability. “To go into the management side it started with a Certificate III in
Disabilities then I completed a diploma (Certificate IV) in Disabilities at TAFE New
South Wales.”74 Interviewee 2, as well as having a driver's license and certificate,
67
https://www.dss.gov.au/disability-and-carers/programmes-services/for-people-with-disability/national-d
isability-insurance-scheme
68
https://www.centacarewa.com.au/what-is-the-role-of-a-disability-support-worker/media/
69
Appendix 2, question 11
70
Appendix 1, question 10
71
Appendix 2, question 10
72
https://www.apa.org/pi/disability/resources/publications/newsletter/2013/11/disability-identity#:~:text=A
%20coherent%20disability%20identity%20is,parts%20of%20their%20self%2Dconcepts.
73
https://www.seek.com.au/career-advice/role/disability-support-worker
74
Appendix 2, question 5
15
How does disability residential care meet the needs of residents?
has two qualifications which have helped in reaching his management position.
Interviewee 3 completed their Certificate III in Disabilities also.75 During these
courses, individuals learn how to adequately care for people with disabilities and the
proper way to satisfy their needs.
The secondary data identified Aruma Disability Service as an example of a
foundation that strives to foster the wants and needs of people with disabilities.76
Interviewee 2, supported the data found within the secondary information as they
have worked for Aruma for around 10 years. 77 “Each support worker, manager and
team leader that works for Aruma has to work under the ethos of a pseudonym
called BRAVE. We need to be Bold, Respectful, Authentic, Value teamwork and
enthusiastic within our support of the people who live in their residences.”78 This
expectation of workplace attitudes allows careers to adequately care for residents
whilst ensuring their needs are met.
The information gathered from the primary research as well as the reinforcements
made through the review of secondary information has allowed for variance in
understanding the relationship between disability residential care and the needs of
residents. The employment of interviews and questionnaires elucidates the individual
responses of disability workers in caring for their clients and ensuring their needs are
met.
75
Appendix 3, question 5
https://www.aruma.com.au/
77
Appendix 2, question 4
78
Appendix 2, question 2
76
16
How does disability residential care meet the needs of residents?
Conclusion
In conclusion the Independent Research Project has allowed me to gain an
understanding into the posed question: How does disability residential care meet the
needs of residents? The task aimed to find out the strategies and/or factors utilised
within residential care facilities in order to optimise the holistic wellbeing of
individuals with disabilities. The assistance of primary and secondary
research shows disability support workers to be at the pinnacle of residential
accommodation and are the primary factor in fulfilling the needs of residents.
Throughout the responses, the disability support workers showed both similarities
and distinct differences within their methods of meeting the needs of their clients. In
this research project the primary data has indicated that the main procedures of
need fulfillment include consistent communication, the promotion of independence,
encouragement of goal setting and the nurturing of an individual's sense of identity.
The primary data also deduces that needs are met through the assistance of macro
organisations. These including the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and
the Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) guide. The NDIS has allowed
individuals to access a range of healthcare services whilst the SDA guide ensures an
adequate standard of living within residential accommodations. In conclusion, it can
be discerned that the needs of residents within residential care are met through
facilities and services bestowed by these companies as well as the support and
expertise provided by disability carers.
17
How does disability residential care meet the needs of residents?
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-74.pdf.aspx
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https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/jar.12291
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How does disability residential care meet the needs of residents?
Appendices
Appendix 1
1. What company do you work for?
The Benevolent Society.
2. What is the aim of your company?
The aim of the company is to provide services for people with disabilities and provide
therapeutic services like occupational therapy, psychology, physiotherapy, speech
and support coordination.
3. What does your particular role within your job entail?
I am a support coordinator and I help people on an NDIS package spend their
packages so I help connect them with their services, so in their package, they might
get money to contract therapists or their goal might be to get accommodation so I’ll
help them with that. I help them get into any day programs and activities they wish to
attend.
4. How long have you worked in this particular field for?
For a very long time. At least 25 years.
5. What would you say are important requirements for disability workers to
have?
It is important for workers to have their qualifications (certificate 3 and 4 in disability
or community services). Basic criteria would be First Aid, child protection, license
and working with children checks.
6. What would you say are the main needs/factors that are taken into
consideration when placing your client into residential care?
In residential care, some of the things that would be considered would be their type
of disability, whether they have high medical needs, an intellectual disability or
behavioural. Other factors would be their age, if they want to live with males or
females, geographical area, whether they wish to live close to their family still, their
place of work (if they’re employed) or close to any day programs.
7. What are some important facilities for residential care accommodation to
selfuthave?
The residential facility just needs to be a homely environment. Individuals should
typically be matched with people with similar disabilities, abilities, likes and dislikes.
Reasonable distance from day options or employment opportunities. Easy access to
the community whether it’s public transport that's nearby or workers that are able to
drive.
8. How does your company promote the physical and mental wellbeing of its
residents/clients?
By seeing them first as a person and then secondly working with their disabilities
whether it be mental or physical. If you're looking for accommodation for a person
with physical needs you'd (depending on what their physical needs are) have to
assess the home modifications, in terms of if they need support in the bathroom,
rails, whether they need front and back access via ramps, wheelchair transport
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How does disability residential care meet the needs of residents?
options etc. For mental wellbeing, individuals can use their NDIS package to access
psychologists. We support them in terms of transitioning into the group home so they
get used to it and helping them settle into the residential environment and assessing
what psychological support they need long term.
9. What does your typical day look like in caring for and ensuring the needs of
your residents/clients are met?
My typical day would just be following up on any emails firstly in the morning, making
any phone calls to clients or services to make sure everything is running smoothly
and in place. Troubleshooting any problems that may arise.
10. What would you say are the most important factors in choosing an adequate
residential facility for your client?
Apart from what I have already mentioned, in the end, it’s the client that has the final
choice in choosing the accommodation, I would strongly advise that the individual
has a look at it with their carers and if they're not happy with it then they don't have
to accept it. It’s all about communication.
11. How does the residential facility in which a client lives affect their overall
sense of wellbeing?
If they're not happy there it will affect the individual negatively. The people I have
worked with all seem to be happy within their accommodation which has had the
utmost impact on their overall sense of wellbeing. If they're not happy, through the
assistance of the NDIS, they have the choice of moving to a more suited residential
location.
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How does disability residential care meet the needs of residents?
Appendix 2
1. What company do you work for?
I work for a company called Aruma, formerly known as ‘House With No Steps’.
2. What is the aim of your company?
The aim of the company is to provide disability support in supporting residents with
their independent living for people with an intellectual disability combined with other
physical or mental health issues. Each support worker, manager and team leader
that works for Aruma has to work under the ethos of a pseudonym called BRAVE.
We need to be Bold, Respectful, Authentic, Value teamwork and enthusiastic within
our support of the people who live in their residences.
3. What does your particular role within your job entail?
I am a team leader/manager, my role is to coordinate disability care service through
the disability support workers that work at the SIL (support independent living)
residence that I manage.
4. How long have you worked in this particular field for?
10 years.
5. What qualifications did you have to get to acquire your role?
For me to go into starting as a disability support worker all I needed was my First Aid
and a driver’s license. To go into the management side it started with a certificate 3
in Disabilities then I completed a diploma (certificate 4) in Disabilities at TAFE New
South Wales.
6. What are some of the different disabilities that you have cared for?
I have worked with individuals that have autism, the main diagnosed disability is
what they call intellectual disability and that can be minor, moderate or severe. Each
one of those diagnoses has its own support needs. You have people that have
multiple diagnoses, they could have intellectual disability, autism and a physical
disability like cerebral palsy where they are in a wheelchair and they’ve got limited
mobility.
7. What would you say are the main needs of your clients?
There are many but the most important ones are coordinating their health care with
the various stakeholders that look after their health, that can be GP, physiotherapists,
psychologists, psychiatrists etc.
8. What are some support services that your company facilitates?
They have day programs for all of the residents that live in the home I manage. The
day programs owned by Aruma provide various community participation activities for
the people we care for which is really good so they have somewhere to go out during
the hours of 9-3 and they’re looked after by day program support workers. Aruma
also offers various support services with behavioural therapists, communication
support and they also provide support coordination services which is a part of the
NDIS.
9. How does your company promote the physical and mental wellbeing of its
residents/clients?
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How does disability residential care meet the needs of residents?
Under the NDIS each resident is on a funded package, this funding provides all the
support services they may require in regard to their physical wellbeing. For example,
if a resident needed physiotherapy or hydrotherapy they'd have funding in their NDIS
plan and my role would be to coordinate the resident with the necessary support
service that performs that role. In the mental health category, we have the General
Practitioner appointments where we look at their overall health using a form called
the chap tool which is a comprehensive medical assessment form. From this chap
tool we coordinate any mental health requirements that a resident may need, this is
usually in reference to medications, psychology support and annual visits with a
psychiatrist who constantly reviews the medications and mental health support
required by a resident.
10. How does your company promote a resident’s sense of identity?
It’s a very difficult role that a support worker has to uphold. We try to maintain their
individuality identity by encouraging each resident to do as much of their day to day
activities by themselves that they can. This could involve personal care, wheelchair
transfers, we promote the individual to do as much of the manual handling
component as possible, giving them various choices in their routine which can be
from choosing which breakfast they want and which clothes they want to wear. This
forms a part of their personal identity. It’s important to understand that the more
choices a resident has, the better they can live their life. In one of the houses I
worked at they were verbal so it was a lot easier to communicate in regards to what
they wanted which then would have an impact on their self-identity. Whereas where I
am now it's a non-verbal house which means the four residents do not speak, they
use signing, gestures and facial expressions to communicate their needs. It’s
important that we (myself and my team) offer as many choices for them in the form
of photos, signing, when going out showing them what they can have and generally
speaking they have a sign for yes and no which is how we determine what they
want.
11. What does your typical day look like in caring for and ensuring the needs of
your residents/clients are met?
A typical day will always involve personal hygiene, medication, assistance with
breakfast, assistance with transportation to day programs/medical
appointments/family visits. If a resident is at home and they have a day off then they
have their own personal choices which we call flexible support where they get to
choose what they’d like to do for the day and we have a support worker that takes
them out one on one in a vehicle so they can enjoy whatever activity they have
chosen for that day.
12. How does the residential facility in which a client lives affect their overall
sense of wellbeing?
I find this one very easy to answer because disability care 15-20 years ago was
institutionalised care so they lived in an institution then the government started their
group home program where people with a disability moved into supported
independent living residences out in the community. This gave the people that lived
there a sense of belonging to the community along with the programs of community
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How does disability residential care meet the needs of residents?
participation (going out with their day programs and going out with their flexible
support). A person with a disability is encouraged as much community participation
activity as possible which then makes them feel like they are a part of the
community. Our role is to support them to achieve that.
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How does disability residential care meet the needs of residents?
Appendix 3
1) What company do you work for?
I work for the Cram Foundation.
2) What is the aim of your company?
The aim of the Cram Foundation is to provide high quality care and support for
people with a disability who have high or complex care needs that live within the
Illawarra and Shoalhaven region.
3) What does your particular role within your job entail?
I am a disability residential support worker so I work within a group home and tend to
the needs of my clients on a 24/7 basis.
4) How long have you worked in this particular field for?
Around 6 years.
5) What qualifications did you have to get to acquire your role?
To qualify for a supportive role within the company all I needed was my First Aid
Certificate and a driver's license but to go into a more proactive and hands-on role I
acquired my Certificate III in Disability. I am currently working to get my Cert IV (or
diploma) in Disability to allow me to go into a higher working position.
6) What are some of the different disabilities that you have worked with?
It has varied a lot over the course of the years that I have been working. I have
basically worked with individuals across all aspects of intellectual, cognitive and
physical disabilities. The most common is Autism which may fall anywhere across
the spectrum from minor to more severe.
7) What would you say are the main needs of your clients?
I would definitely say that first and foremost health is of the most importance. This
means being on top of medication and doctors appointments to optimise each
individual's health requirements. The safety of clients also ties into this. Working
within a shared accommodation the safety of our residents is mandatory. Ensuring
that each individual feels comfortable within the house and with the people they live
with is important as it increases compliance and enhances the individual’s
satisfaction.
8) What are some support services that your company facilitates?
We have different programs and services in place to provide a range of high-quality
outcomes for people with complex disabilities. We have a Housing and Supported
living program as well as a Personal Care and Daily living Program. These services
provide the support that an individual requires to live the life that they want and to
maintain a positive state of well-being. We support people to live as independently
as possible, either in their own family home or in a shared living arrangement to
maintain their sense of identity.
9) How does your company promote the physical and mental wellbeing of its
residents/clients?
Well, the group home that I work at is fitted with wheelchair ramps as well as stability
railings. This makes it easier for each client to get from one part of the
accommodation to another and it also promotes independence. We also assist our
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How does disability residential care meet the needs of residents?
client in attending physical therapy such as physiotherapy. For mental wellbeing, we
also accompany our clients in going to any necessary psychology and psychiatric
appointments. The NDIS helps in funding these services.
10)How does your company promote a resident’s sense of identity?
We make sure we support and celebrate each of our clients’ unique likes and
interests. We encourage individuality across each resident. We also provide each
individual with a number of opportunities to explore different activities and hobbies to
see which ones resonate with them.
11) What does your typical day look like in caring for and ensuring the needs of
your residents/clients are met?
My everyday routine is pretty much just assisting my clients in enacting their
everyday activities. I start every morning off with making breakfast and then after
that, we would probably follow up with any appointments that any of the clients may
have. When that’s done, it’s probably around lunchtime. After lunch, I’ll usually
transport my clients to any day programs they may have. From the later afternoon,
it’s dinner, shower and then sleep. In between these activities, it's just typical
cleaning and housework. Each day looks different and the order of the tasks
constantly changes.
12) How does the residential facility in which a client lives affect their overall
sense of wellbeing?
I would say that it has an extremely significant influence on their overall wellbeing.
The comfortability and warmness of an individual's home has an impact on every
person whether they have a disability or not. For individuals that have a disability,
this is definitely amplified. If an individual feels uncomfortable within their
surroundings and can’t connect with their carer then that would have a negative
impact on their holistic health. Group homes in particular create a sense of belonging
and help build relationships. This may have a positive impact on an individual’s
self-esteem.
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How does disability residential care meet the needs of residents?
Appendix 4
Questionnaire Respondent 1
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How does disability residential care meet the needs of residents?
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How does disability residential care meet the needs of residents?
Appendix 5
Questionnaire Respondent 2
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How does disability residential care meet the needs of residents?
Appendix 6
Questionnaire Respondent 3
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How does disability residential care meet the needs of residents?
Appendix 7
Questionnaire Respondent 4
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