In the Barwon region alone, it’s said that nearly 90 young people are ‘wasting away’ in nursing homes.

Figures from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare reveals that 87 people under the age of 65 are living in the region’s aged care facilities. Another 37 are admitted each year.

"Young people shouldn't be forced to live in nursing homes because there is nowhere else for them," said Di Winkler of Building Better Lives.

"We need services that proactively prevent newly injured people from going into nursing homes," she said.

51 year old Peter McQuillan has spent the past seven years living in aged-care facilities in Geelong.

"To say I live in a nursing home is not quite accurate. I exist in a nursing home,” he said.

"I want something that challenges my mind, something I can take an interest in, and the best thing I can do at the moment is bingo."

Mr McQuillan says the aged care facility is his home, his community and his future, but not his choice.

Ms Winkler said that "Anywhere, any-time, any one of us could acquire a brain injury and be faced with the prospect of entering an aged-care nursing home, which is an entirely inappropriate place for young people."