A house to call home

Our resident Vicky

Before Vicky moved into a Northcott disability home, she was living in an aged care facility for a long time following a stroke. Although she was looked after, Vicky had limited supports for her complex needs and rarely would get out in the community. Thanks to the opportunity to move into supported disability housing with Northcott, Vicky is now supported to do things she loves, like shopping, while also having control over other aspects of her life.

The home

Northcott’s Oran Park home was built by Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) provider, DPN Casa Capace and opened in 2020. The home is specifically designed for people with severe functional impairment or highly complex support needs, with automated doors, blinds and benches. Using Supported Independent Living (SIL) funding, residents of Oran Park have 24/7 support from Northcott to assist them in all aspects of their lives, from daily living tasks to administering medication, travelling to appointments or getting out in the community.

“We help our residents to have some type of independence and control in what happens in their lives,” says Alana, Northcott Service Coordinator at Oran Park.

Supporting the move

Vicky and her housemates were all living in different circumstances before joining Northcott. Some had been living in nursing homes, while another had experienced long term hospitalisation due to the lack of suitable accommodation.

Moving the residents into Northcott’s Oran Park home was an enormous task involving many Northcott teams, external organisations, the residents’ families and the NDIS, explains Northcott Service Manager, Ravi Bhati.

“Northcott went above and beyond to support the customers. Our Vacancy Management and Housing teams worked together to achieve the best outcomes.

“Funding was an important part of the transition and the residents’ applications were declined a few times as we were unable to obtain the required documents from the hospital or aged care providers involved. Finally, we submitted the documentation to the NDIS and were able to secure the SDA and SIL funding which made it possible for these residents to move into Oran Park,” Ravi says.

Once the funding was in place, Northcott prepared the house for each resident.

“We made sure the right supports were available and equipment arrived on time so that when the residents came, they would have a positive experience.”

Support staff were also trained in the specific support requirements of the residents, who have a range of disabilities and complex support needs.

“It was challenging and a lot of work…but we are so happy to have them here now,” Ravi says.

Positive outcomes for all

“Our residents seem to be very happy. They are receiving support as per their choice. They are in control and making choices. They are controlling how they want to live in this house.

“They feel that this is their home. They have an attachment to this house and are very comfortable living here,” explains Ravi.

Service Coordinator, Alana is particularly proud to have supported the residents to have more opportunities for community access. One resident, who hadn’t left her bedroom in the nursing home, was very anxious when she first moved into Oran Park. With support and encouragement to sit outside, then go for walks around the local streets, she slowly built up her confidence to regularly get out in the community. Another resident was also very reluctant to leave the house. With support and prompting from Northcott staff, this resident is now happy to go shopping and regularly attend mass at a local church.

“To see the residents able to do something for themselves is wonderful. My drive for coming to work each day is to help our customers reach their goals. I’m passionate about helping them maintain a quality of life,” Alana says.