Home and free - Keith breaks out on his own

Keith Herrenberg is no longer living in an aged care facility, thanks to the Younger People in Residential Aged Care program.

Too young for aged care, but needing support: Far North Queensland’s Keith Herrenberg is one of many Queenslanders with a disability who can now live independently thanks to a supportive alternative.

The Younger People in Residential Aged Care initiative provides homes for people with a disability like Keith who would otherwise be living in residential aged care, or at risk of entering care, because there are no alternatives.

The middle-aged Innisfail man doesn’t think about retirement – he enjoys his full-time voluntary work too much – and is fully mobile thanks to a motorised bike.

He was living at Innisfail’s Warrina Hostel, but since last year has been living independently in a unit with a just few hours’ support on weekdays to help him prepare meals.

“I didn’t have a problem living at Warrina Hostel (for the aged) but just wanted to live in my own home where I could come and go as I please,” says Keith.

“I can get by during the week if someone can help out with the cooking – my rellies come by and do this at weekends. Thanks to my bike I can move around and can get to work every day.” (Keith volunteers with Warrina Hostel’s maintenance team).