Media Release: Federal Govt release new Charter of Rights
28 March, 2019
Focus Care welcomes new Charter of Rights, effective 1st July 2019.
The Australian Federal Government has released a new Charter of Rights for aged care recipients, effective from 1st July 2019.
The single Charter brings together the four current Charters that exist across home care, residential care and short-term restorative care.
Focus Home Care’s CEO Christina Harlamb supports the new Charter,
“We welcome the introduction of the new Charter of Rights. The aged care system can be complex for seniors and their families to navigate, so the simplifying of the Charters into a single set of rights relieves some of the confusion for those who are moving across different subsidised care types.”
The new Charter covers 14 fundamental protections, listing aged care recipients’ rights to:
safe and high quality care and services
be treated with dignity and respect
have my identity, culture and diversity valued and supported
live without abuse and neglect
be informed about my care and services in a way I understand
access all information about myself, including information about my rights, care and services
have control over, and make choices about, my care, personal and social life, including where choices involve personal risk
have control over, and to make decisions about, the personal aspects of my daily life, financial affairs and possessions
my independence
be listened to and understood
have a person of my choice, including an aged care advocate, support me or speak on my behalf
complain free from reprisal, and to have my complaints dealt with fairly and promptly
personal privacy and to have my personal information protected
exercise my rights without it adversely affecting the way I am treated
Ms Harlamb says the new Charter will further empower the new Aged Care Quality & Safety Commission and will further promote treating elderly Australians with dignity and respect.
“Focus Care’s philosophy – Your life. Your home. Your care. Our focus® – is based on supporting you to make your own choices about your care, your lifestyle and your life. Every Australian senior deserves to be treated with dignity and respect, and we are thrilled that the Government has placed such an emphasis on this in their new Charter.”
