Life during COVID-19 in our disability group homes

13 August 2020

13 Aug 2020

Life in isolation is difficult for all of us. Being physically separated from the people we love is heartbreaking. We hear a lot about older people in aged care and how they’re coping, but how are people in other support services faring?

VMCH provides 14 Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) homes across Melbourne for adults with disabilities who can live independently, with some support.

SDA, or group home, residents are used to getting out and about in the community doing activities they love, enjoying visits from friends and family, and working at their various places of employment. But with much of that now on hold, VMCH support teams are thinking outside the square and making an extra effort to keep residents feeling safe, comfortable and connected.

The use of PPE including face masks and shields is vital but it can be confronting, particularly for people with intellectual disabilities. Staff have created video clips explaining why masks are being used to allay any fears, educating residents in fun ways about hand hygiene and social distancing, and making an effort to turn off the news when the doom and gloom of COVID-19 causes stress.

One of the biggest efforts has been keeping life fun in lockdown. Birthday celebrations and other milestones have become even bigger affairs with festive treats, decorations and families invited to join via Skype. In-house discos, restaurants and bowls sessions have kept everyone entertained, and Netflix has been installed to give residents more viewing options. Staff and volunteers from other VMCH sites have also made craft packs for residents to get creative.

When Cheltenham SDA team leader Heidi noticed residents were becoming anxious about rising COVID-19 cases, she decided to arrange a dance-off to ‘Don’t Worry Be Happy’ on video sharing app TikTok – which lifted everyone’s spirits.

Cooking has also become a popular activity in our group homes. Charmaine (below left) from Cheltenham wasn’t a cooking fan due to a fear of touching hot things; but thanks to the reassuring nature of support worker Marjan, she gained confidence and has been whipping up dishes for her housemates, as has her friend Rudy.

Baden, William, Bobby and Aaron from our Endeavour Hills SDA have also been busy in the kitchen; creating vegetable puffs from scratch to enjoy as part of their Monday Fun-Day lunch. The guys also had fun crafting; colouring in some signs to highlight the importance of hand hygiene, especially while in the kitchen.

Innovation is also at an all-time high. Like many people stuck in “iso”, Cheltenham resident Val (below left) loves to play card and board games. However cerebral palsy and a movement disorder make it virtually impossible for her to pick up cards or small pieces. So VMCH Occupational Therapist Taryn created a magnetic bracelet to help her play.

In the midst of restrictions, five residents moved from their Highett group home to a new SDA in Carrum (below) on July 6. The $2.4 million development was designed under new SDA standards and residents have been busy making it feel like home; purchasing furniture and choosing colours to paint their rooms.

While families are obviously struggling with not seeing their loved ones as much as they’d like in person, they are also appreciative of our team’s efforts to keep them connected and their loved ones safe.

Parents Ruth and Bart, whose son David lives at our Carrum group home (pictured below) said: “(Staff) manage to keep David smiling, laughing and happy. Our children are so fortunate to be where they are at this time of confusion and uncertainty.”

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Acknowledgement of Country

We here at VMCH respectfully acknowledge the traditional owners of the lands on which we gather, and we would like to take a moment to honour the fact that we live on the lands of the oldest civilisation in the world. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and wisdom of Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander peoples, and pay our respects to their elders past, present and emerging.