Liv and Alexia
Content Warning: These stories are about violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation and may include references to suicide or self-harming behaviours. They may contain graphic descriptions and strong language and may be distressing. Some narratives may be about First Nations people who have passed away. If you need support, please see Contact & support.
Liv was diagnosed with younger onset dementia in the mid-2010s. She moved to the city to be closer to supports, and the state social housing program provided a unit in a small block of mental health units.
Alexia is Liv’s support coordinator. When they first met, Liv told her she was having trouble with a neighbour who she suspected had bipolar disorder.
‘Over time,’ Alexia said, ‘this escalated to harassment such as knocking on her door in the early hours of the morning, throwing things at her unit and being verbally abusive when she saw him.’
Alexia told the Royal Commission the unit complex was unsuitable for Liv. ‘Dementia is a progressive neurological disability, not a form of mental health or psychosocial disability.’
Liv told Alexia she’d reported her neighbour’s behaviour to the police several times. They said there was nothing they could do unless the neighbour physically assaulted her.
Liv’s housing caseworker also refused to do anything. Liv’s GP wrote to the caseworker explaining Liv’s diagnosis and the housing support she needed. But nothing changed.
One night Liv contacted Alexia in a state of distress. Her neighbour appeared to be in a cycle of mania – throwing things at her and verbally abusing her. Liv had contacted police, who again told her there was nothing they could do. This time, she said, police ‘implied she might have been imagining the incidents due to her dementia diagnosis’. She phoned the caseworker and ‘again she was brushed off’.
The neighbour’s behaviour continued for a number of nights. Liv couldn’t sleep or eat and her hands were shaking. On the third night she phoned Alexia – the neighbour was banging on her door and she was terrified. ‘I suggested she phone the police, however she was clear they would not do anything except for upset the neighbour more and in turn escalate his behaviour.’
They discussed other options and Liv’s adult son came to stay for the night.
Then around 10 pm an ambulance arrived at Liv’s apartment. The neighbour had reported stabbing Liv. When Liv told them he hadn’t stabbed her but had been threatening her, they left.
At 3 am the neighbour banged on the door with a knife in his hand. Liv’s son answered the door and the neighbour ran away.
‘The son called the police who when they arrived actually believed the son and tried to arrest the neighbour.’ The only difference this time, Alexia said, was that Liv’s son was there. ‘Police believed him when they had not before believed her.’
The neighbour resisted arrest and a long siege followed. Alexia and Liv’s son managed to calm Liv down and get her things together. They rang and emailed the housing authority to arrange emergency housing but there was no reply. In the morning they went to the offices. This was ‘further distressing, for a lady with younger onset dementia who has now not slept in three days,’ Alexia said.
When they finally spoke to the caseworker she said, ‘Well, why didn’t you come here sooner?’ Alexia and Liv were astounded. There was no emergency housing available so the caseworker arranged a hotel room. But Liv was upset, disoriented and didn’t want to stay by herself.
Alexia phoned the NDIS who immediately approved overnight support for the duration of Liv’s hotel stay. They also approved a personal alarm system and the extra support coordinator hours for Alexia while she coordinated the emergency.
‘The NDIS were the only agency in this scenario who responded in the first instance, believed her and gave her access to the resources she needed.’
Disclaimer: This is the story of a person who shared their personal experience with the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability through a submission or private session. The names in this story are pseudonyms. The person who shared this experience was not a witness and their account is not evidence. They did not take an oath or affirmation before providing the story. Nothing in this story constitutes a finding of the Royal Commission. Any views expressed are those of the person who shared their experience, not of the Royal Commission.