Supporting the rights of older people

Most of the time aged care services work well and the people who use them are happy with the service they receive.

However, sometimes a problem may arise, and you may need help to speak up and have the problem resolved. Many people feel uncomfortable raising a complaint or concern, but it is important to address your concerns early and not leave it to escalate. This can be particularly difficult if your complaint is about the care or services that you are dependent upon for meeting your most basic needs. Nevertheless, we live in a society where each and every one of us, regardless of our age, has rights as citizens and individuals.

Advocacy

If you feel unsure or unable to address your concerns with the service provider, you can ask an advocacy service to help you.

An aged care advocate can assist you to take choice and control over your care services and work with you and your family on the best way to address your concerns with a provider.

Their services are usually free and they can give you information, advise, and support you to express your concerns or even speak on your behalf. They will aim to achieve the best possible outcome for you.

An advocate can:

Help you understand your rights and responsibilities

Listen to your concerns and discuss your options

Support you and give you confidence in addressing a concern

Raise a concern with the service provider or speak on your behalf

Advice is generally provided on consumer rights, human rights, aged care rights and responsibilities, financial exploitation, substitute decisionmaking, and elder abuse prevention and response

Advocates can assist with negotiating changes to your care plan, ensuring the needs of people from culturally diverse backgrounds are met. They also deliver specialist community education, such as self-advocacy and how to meet the needs of people with dementia and special needs.

There are free and independent advocacy services in every State and Territory that provide free telephone advice, community education and other assistance for older people.

The Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN) is a national network of nine State and Territory organisations that have been successfully delivering advocacy, information and education services to older people in metropolitan, regional, rural and remote Australia for over 25 years.

The Australian Government funds OPAN to deliver the National Aged Care Advocacy Program across the country. Call 1800 700 600 to speak with an aged care advocate in your State or Territory or visit online at opan.org.au .

Elder abuse

There are heartbreaking stories of older people being mistreated by the people they trust and who are closest to them.

Like the case of the 85 year old gentleman who appointed a distant relative as his Power of Attorney. He was neglected, unable to return to his own home, and large amounts of money was taken out of his bank account without his permission.

Or the woman who became depressed and fearful because her addict son abused her verbally and psychologically, took her possessions, and isolated her socially.

Elder abuse is defined as any act which causes harm to an older person and is carried out by someone they know and trust, such as a family member or friend.

The abuse may be physical, social, financial, psychological, or sexual, and can include mistreatment and neglect.

Elder abuse can happen to anyone. A report from the World Health Organisation (WHO) suggests that the number of people experiencing elder abuse could be as high as one in ten.

As our population ages, the number of people affected by elder abuse is also expected to rise.

If you need information or advice about elder abuse, contact the National ELDERHelp line on 1800 353 374 call OPAN on 1800 700 600 to speak with an aged care advocate in your State or Territory.