Olivia and CARAMELLO’s new home adventure

For animal lover Olivia Davies, finding a pet-friendly apartment was non-negotiable. Her three-year-old rabbit, Caramello, had to move with her when she was looking for a new specialised disability accommodation (SDA) apartment a few months ago. 

“Being pet-friendly was the biggest factor,” says Olivia. “Obviously I have my rabbit Caramello and soon I’ll be getting a cat, Willow.”  

At 33, Olivia, who lives with cerebral palsy, was ready for a change. She had previously lived in group homes and SDA apartments exclusively for people with disabilities. “That’s good to begin with,” she says, but an increase in independence and a diverse group of people was what she was looking for.

After coming across My Life Housing on Google, Olivia arranged an inspection and knew she’d found the right fit. In August, she moved into her one-bedroom high physical support (HPS) apartment, designed to combine accessibility, flexibility and comfort. “This site was fairly new, and here on each floor, you’ve got one NDIS unit.” 

“The model itself here is actually very, very good... you just press the buzzer whenever you need assistance.”

One of the highlights of her new space is the autonomy it offers her. “Just having my own washing machine is huge. I don’t have clothes that go missing, and I can just chuck on the washing if I feel like it at 5 o’clock.”

As well as her own space and laundry, the biggest difference between previous accommodation and her current apartment is the 24/7 on-site support offered.

“The model itself here is actually very, very good. You can choose to have rostered supports in the morning and then concierge supports in the afternoon, which means you just press the buzzer whenever you need assistance. Usually for me it's to help with dinner because I get everything else during the day. You can mix and match.”

“Like, for example, you might not be hungry one night or everything’s fine, so you don’t call the concierge. Or the next day, or the next week you might just decide to call the concierge to help with dinner. It's quite flexible.” 

This flexibility has been a game-changer for Olivia, giving her control over her daily routine. “I have community access Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and I use it for appointments, OT, therapy or shopping. My rostered support is domestic help around the house, and they help me with the animals as well, which is great.” 

Olivia’s HPS apartment is located in the heart of Liverpool, just one minute from Westfield, opposite a park and within one kilometre of a major train station. MyLife Housing ensures that accessibility is built into every aspect of the design. Her apartment features height-adjustable kitchen benches, automated blinds, an automated front door and balcony sliding doors - all operable from a smart device. Safety and connectivity are prioritised with a two-way communication system and 24/7 on-site support.

“I think the nursing on-call buttons are great, and I’ve also got a pendant that I wear in case I have a fall or if something seriously happens. With the on-call button you can see ‘sent’ and ‘received’. The biggest difference between my last place and this place was that you couldn't see if your message had been received so you didn’t necessarily know if they'd heard it. Whereas this is like, ‘OK, it’s been received.’”

When it comes to her advice for others thinking about living independently, Olivia says it’s all about understanding what you want and need. “Think about what sort of place you want. Would you want support anytime you need? And think about the area you’d like to move to.” Olivia also suggests doing plenty of research and having an idea of what’s essential before making a decision. [For me], “the biggest thing was pets,” she says, reflecting on her decision. ”Then, it takes time to settle in.” 

“It’s really good accommodation and the way it’s been set up is really good.”

Now that she’s settled into her new apartment, Olivia is busy preparing for her new arrival, planning finishing touches to her home, and focusing on her hobbies. “My new cat is coming in a few weeks and I’m getting a cat condo for Willow. I’m waiting for my electric wheelchair, and then I want to get back into piano, I want to get back into horse riding, and I’m in the middle of designing my balcony and rearranging my unit.”

Moving into her own accessible apartment has given Olivia not only the independence she was looking for but also a space tailored to her lifestyle. She can now focus on the things she loves most – and her rabbit, Caramello, is thriving right alongside her. 

“I really enjoy it. It’s really good accommodation and the way it’s been set up is really good. I really like it here. Just to have my own space is good. And Caramello has never been happier.”