It has been another week of viewing properties where people with mental health issues, the disabled and elderly live.
Only one was a NSW Department of Housing property. Let’s call her ‘Doris’.
Doris has a mental health worker visit her regularly and she also gets assistance with shopping 5 times a week. I assumed the property would be maintained to a reasonable standard.
How wrong I was.
After a lengthy chat with Doris to help her feel at ease with me, I can look around to see what we need to do. I have a check list in my head and carefully look at Doris’ space.
- Plumbing,
- fridge,
- cooking,
- food,
- smoke detector,
- bedding, and
- showering.
Doris’ case worker is with me and we go over all the hazards in this Department of Housing unit.
- The oven didn’t work,
- the toilet didn’t flush,
- the carpet joins were torn and were trip hazards for Doris.
This situation is not all about cleaning. I stood in the shower, and I don’t get this bit…
The floor was dusty. The cake of soap was like a brick. Something was missing here. I just don’t get it.
We assume we can can do ‘normal life’ every day. You and I have access to a functioning living space. Why not Doris? The toilet didn’t flush and the shower floor was dusty – but she gets shopping help 5 times a week.
I leave Doris’ home with an offer for Clean Queens to give her living environment a make-over. I can see it will be an easy clean.
Doris needs more than a visit 5 times a week and some help with shopping .