The new Aged Care Act includes rights and strengthened Quality Standards my provider must understand. This is because when they provide my aged care services, I am the centre of my aged care.
I make decisions about who provides my care, where I get my care, and when I need it. I can get the information I need, in a way I can understand it, from my aged care provider or the government's My Aged Care website, to help me make decisions.
The people who provide my aged care services listen to me, hear my concerns, let me know what services I can access, and answer my questions.
I talk to my aged care provider and workers about my care goals. They work with me to develop my service agreements and care plan.
I can take my time and make decisions when I'm ready. I can choose to register a supporter to help me make and explain decisions about my care, but only if I want them to.
Registered supporters can be someone I trust, like my family members or friends. I can also ask trusted people for help even if they aren't registered supporters. For example, I can speak to an Aged Care Advocate from OPAN to help me too.
Having a registered supporter does not stop me from doing something I can do myself, but if I don't want or need a registered supporter, I don't have to have one.
My decisions are my own. This includes my rights to have my wishes respected by the people providing my aged care services, even if this involves me taking a level of risk.
My decisions can change over time, and my provider supports me to review my choices.
I live the life I choose.
See My Aged Care to understand your rights and what good care looks like.