Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander aged care

Aged care is changing.

It's changing so our older people can access more culturally safe and appropriate care.

If you're 50 or older, you have the right to access aged care services that help you live a better life while also being treated with dignity and respect.

You have the right to have your culture, language, and traditions respected.

That's why the new Aged Care Act includes an important Statement of Rights.

The Aged Care Act is the main law that sets out how the aged care system works.

It now puts the rights of older people first.

The Statement of Rights makes sure your physical and cultural needs are at the heart of the aged care you receive.

This means you have the right to:

• get the information you need in a way you can understand,
• choose what your care looks like,
• access quality care that is culturally safe,
• that is delivered by people who understand, value,
• and support your identity, culture and spirituality,
• have your privacy respected,
• raise issues when something isn't right,
• choose someone from your family or community to support you,
• find opportunities to speak in language
• and take part in cultural activities that are important to you, and stay connected to your community, Country and Island Home.

As you get older, you have the right to access services that help you stay independent.

And if you aren't being treated with respect, you have the right to speak up.

Yarn with your aged care provider about your rights under the new Aged Care Act.

Everyone has the right to make decisions in their own life, including about their aged care services.

To give you more choice and control over how your care is delivered, the new Aged Care Act has a Statement of Rights.

The Aged Care Act is the main law that sets out how the aged care system works.

It now puts the rights of older people first.

The Statement of Rights means your aged care provider

must understand and follow it in order to:

• support you to make your own choices about when, how, and what care you receive,
• give you information about your services in a way that is easy to understand
• and support you to make your own decisions, even if they involve some risk.

The Statement of Rights says the people providing your care are to treat you with dignity and respect, and provide services in a way that respects your identity, culture, and spirituality.

If you need support to make aged care decisions, there is help available.

You can choose someone to be your registered supporter through My Aged Care.

The registered supporter role is about helping you to make and communicate your own aged care decisions and remain in control of your life.

A registered supporter can't make your decisions on your behalf, but they can help you to make those decisions for yourself.

The Elder Care Supporter Program helps Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 50 or older, their families, and carers to make important choices about aged care.

This can include help with assessments for your aged care needs, accessing services, working with providers to help meet your needs and assisting with disability support.

Another way you can get support is through the Older Persons Advocacy Network.

Their Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander advocates provide free, independent, and confidential help to get you the aged care you need.

They can help you understand your rights, find aged care services that are right for you, and try to solve any problems you're having with your aged care.

If you need legal help, you can get support through Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services (ATSILS).

They are Aboriginal community-controlled organisations that offer free, culturally appropriate legal assistance and advice to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Check your ATSILS provider in your state or territory for more information.

Remember that you have the right to be treated with dignity and have your culture respected throughout your aged care journey.

Getting safe and quality aged care services, whether in your own home or an aged care home, is your right.

We help to make this happen through the Aged Care Quality Standards.

They make sure your needs, choices, rights and protections are at the centre of your aged care.

They help ensure your care and services are respectful, and your culture and language are respected.

We strengthened the Quality Standards after talking with aged care providers and workers, older people, families, carers and experts.

Government-funded aged care providers for home and residential aged care, must follow the strengthened Quality Standards.

This means you will: be treated with dignity and respect, be supported to remain independent, have your culture, beliefs and language valued, have a say in all decisions about your life and the aged care services you receive, receive communication in an easy-to-understand way, have the right to stay connected to your community, culture, Country and Island Home.

The Quality Standards also mean aged care providers must: listen to your ideas, feedback and concerns and make things better, give you the right to choose what your care looks like, give you the information about the services you receive, make sure the people who look after you are respectful of your goals, physical, spiritual and cultural needs, make sure your aged care home is safe, and you have a clean and comfortable environment, give you the right to choose what you eat and drink in an aged care home and that your food is enjoyable, nutritious, and appetising, keep you safe by planning for emergencies, keep your information safe and private.

You have the right to always be treated with dignity.

Your needs and culture must be respected throughout your aged care journey.

That is what the Quality Standards do.

If you have any concerns about your care, you or your carer can speak with your provider.

Or contact the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission on 1800 951 822 email info@agedcarequality.gov.au or visit the Commission's website.

You can also ask an independent advocate to help you with concerns and understand and understand your rights through the Older Persons Advocacy Network on 1800 700 600.

Advocates can help you yarn with your provider or raise a complaint with the Commission.

If you receive aged care in your own home or an aged care home you have the right to be treated with respect.

The new Aged Care Act helps you stay in control of your life as you get older and make sure the people who look after you are always respectful of your cultural needs.

The Aged Care Act is the main law that sets out how the aged care system works.

It now puts the rights of older people first.

New screening requirements for people wanting to work in aged care will better look out for your safety and wellbeing.

The Aged Care Code of Conduct makes sure workers are kind, honest and respectful.

This means you will be safe and treated with dignity and respect.

The Aged Care Quality Standards improve the levels of care, living environments and food and nutrition provided for older people, among other things.

People who call out or report issues or concerns will have more protection.

This means if workers see an aged care provider or another worker doing the wrong thing, they can speak up without worrying about getting into trouble.

We want to make sure your aged care is better and safer for you, and so your family and community will know you are safe.