EIGHT of Guadalupe House’s 15 disabled residents are looking at moving away from Albury or into aged care as the community prepares to close the facility next year.
The superior of the Mother of God Brothers’ society, Brother Denis Devich, conceded yesterday Guadalupe House would not survive in its present form but there were other possibilities that could keep the concept alive.
“We hope the NSW Government will come to the party and provide a group home somewhere in Albury for the remaining seven or eight residents,” he said.
“Their families would like them to stay in Albury, where some of them are involved in day activities.
“It is the legal responsibility of the NSW Department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care to find accommodation.
“At the moment the department is contacting all the families of the residents.”
Br Denis, the other three brothers and two helpers plan to stay in Albury as a group to provide pastoral care to any remaining residents, and have a house available at Thurgoona.
Br Denis was speaking publicly for the first time since Bishop Gerard Hanna ruled Guadalupe House must close by June 30, next year.
Bishop Hanna said last month the Wagga diocese had explored all avenues to keep the community going but had concluded its boarding house licence must not be renewed next year.
He cited the poor state of the buildings, fire safety regulations and the fact the brothers were growing older.
Br Denis said it was unlikely the bishop’s decision would change but the future of the orphanage site was not one for the brothers, as it was church property.
Two residents left Guadalupe House for a group house at Deniliquin last year.
Two more are looking to relocate to group home facilities at Wollongong, to be near their families, and a third is looking to go to Canberra.
One older man has his name down for a nursing home and three others will seek other types of aged care.
Br Denis said he was satisfied group homes were well-run and had high staff-resident ratios.
But he recognised Albury had a shortage of such homes despite several being operated locally by the department or non-government groups, including the Sisters of Mercy.
As well, the Government was providing respite care for disabled people in two new homes it had bought in East Albury.
Br Denis was aware of a petition circulating to ask the department to support alternative accommodation for the men and for Bishop Hanna to help financially.
“We are heartened by the support,” he said.
Asked about the old orphanage section where the men live, he agreed it was no longer suitable but could become offices if another group wished to become involved in caring for the men.
Br Denis said Guadalupe House helped other disabled people locally by organising weekly meetings.
Email a friend