National Older Persons Reference Group member Michelle Treasure
Michelle Treasure’s mother lived with dementia at home, and in residential aged care, for more than 12 years. She passed away just over a year ago.
‘I wish I had known about supported decision-making earlier,’ Michelle said in her written statement to the Senate Inquiry into the Age Care Bill 2024.
‘Once I understood and practiced [it] … I started asking her more questions about routine things that I thought I knew. Although I didn’t always get a verbal answer, nor the answer I expected or liked, Mum seemed happier and more engaged.
‘I learned to read Mum’s body language and change what I was doing dependant on what she was telling me.
‘I had to put my own thoughts and feelings aside and do what Mum wanted and most importantly to stop doing what she didn’t want.’
Michelle identifies 2 pivotal points in her mother’s aged care journey: when she received her dementia diagnosis and when she was told she needed 24/7 care.
Unnecessary heartbreak
‘Intervention at these points would have saved much unnecessary heartbreak and trauma and set the scene for Mum retaining control over her life and dignity,’ she told the inquiry.
‘At every stage, whilst attempting to get appropriate aged care for Mum, our life was full of confusion, lack of understanding, lack of support, misinformation and often very real trauma. There are horror stories to be told at every step.
‘I believe it is imperative, at these and other vital stages, that mandatory assistance is provided by specialised aged care advocates who are trained in all matters of supported decision-making and … every endeavour is made to uphold the person’s wishes.
‘This kind of support would make a world of difference for older people requiring aged care.’
Michelle has welcomed the inclusion of supported decision-making principles in the new Aged Care Act, which comes into effect on 1 July 2025.
Under the new Act, older people’s right to make decisions about the care they receive and the risks they are willing to take is enshrined in legislation.
Support only to the ‘extent necessary’
The Act acknowledges that some older people, including those who live with dementia and other cognitive conditions, may want support.
From 1 July 2025, when the Act comes into effect, older people can register someone to assist them. This person is referred to as their Supporter. An older person does not have to register a Supporter if they don’t want to.
The new Act clearly outlines the role and responsibilities of these registered Supporters in upholding the older person’s wishes and preferences. And it stipulates that these people should support the older person only to the ‘extent necessary’ to make their decision.
Read Michelle’s witness statement on the Parliament of Australia website.
For new Aged Care Act updates, visit our website.
