charter of aged care rights

The Charter of Aged Care Rights is made under the Aged Care Act 1997.  It applies to all consumers, regardless of the type of Australian Government funded aged care and services they receive and whether they are at home or in a residential facility.

The Charter of Aged Care Rights provides you with the right to:

1. Safe and high quality care and services;
2. be treated with dignity and respect;
3. have your identity, culture and diversity valued and supported;
4. live without abuse and neglect;
5. be informed about your care and services in a way you understand;
6. access all information about yourself, including information about your rights, care and services;
7. have control over, and made decisions about, the personal aspects of your daily life, financial affairs and possessions;
8. your independence;
9. be listened to and understood;
10. have a person of your choice, including an aged care advocate, support you or speak on your behalf;
11. complain free from reprisal, and to have your complaints dealt with fairly and promptly;
12. personal privacy and to have your personal information protected;
13. exercise your rights without it adversely affecting the way you are treated.

You can download a copy of the Charter of Aged Care Rights here.

If you have concerns about the aged care you are receiving, you can:

• talk to your aged care provider, in the first instance,
• speak with an aged care advocate on 1800 700 600 or visit the Older Person's Advocacy Network (OPAN) at www.opan.com.au for support to raise your concerns or
• contact the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission on 1800 951 822 or visit the website, www.agedcarequality.gov.au