Albertina Martins, 81, may be forced to leave home after walk-in shower request refused

An elderly woman may be forced to move out of the South Melbourne home where she and her children restarted their lives in the 1970s after fleeing persecution in East Timor — all because of an unsafe bath.

Albertina Martins, 81, has suffered four falls from having to step over the ledge of her bath into the shower in her South Melbourne flat. Picture: David Crosling

An elderly woman is facing the prospect of having to move from her home of 40 years after she was refused a walk-in shower.

Albertina Martins, 81, has suffered four falls from having to step over the ledge of her bath into the shower in her South Melbourne flat.

Mrs Martins endured “significant head injuries” after her most recent fall in February this year. She spent days in hospital in 2016 after her first fall.

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A doctor recommended she receive a walk-in shower but a Department of Health and Human Services housing officer, in a letter, stated it was “not possible” to install one.

The officer suggested Mrs Martins — who has lived in the Park Towers public housing flat since fleeing persecution in East Timor with her children in the 1970s — apply for a transfer to a “more suitable property”.

But John Lowndes, president of the building’s tenant management corporation, said other Park Towers flats had walk-in showers — including his own.

“This whole building, the apartments are identical,” he said.

“It’s just absurd. It can be done. I have one.”

Mrs Martins said her life revolved around the South Melbourne community she had created for herself.

She said leaving would be devastating as her children, church and aged care home where she volunteered were nearby.

Mrs Martins said she wanted to die in the home where her life had restarted and did not want to move — even within the building.

She said the department had treated her badly.

“I feel so small,” she said.

Albertina Martins, 81, says she wants to die in the home where her life had restarted. Picture: David Crosling

A DHHS spokesman said other walk-in showers were installed as part of upgrade works when flats were vacant. The spokesman said works required “significant structural changes” including modifying an occupied flat below.

He said the department was liaising with Mrs Martins about an “alternative shower option”.

Mr Lowndes, who had written letters to the DHHS on Ms Martins’ behalf, said the option was cutting part of the bath to make the step into the shower smaller.

“To cut out the side of a bloody bath; like really, that’s half arsed,” Mr Lowndes said.

He said there was “ nothing healthy or human” about the authority.

“I was astounded I was treated as a lesser being, as more like an inmate and it’s harder for the elderly or those who have English as a second language.

“A home is not necessarily a house.”

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