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The Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN) has submitted its response to the Community Affairs References Committee inquiry into the Support at Home Program, highlighting systemic issues that require urgent attention. While OPAN supports the intent of the program and the broader reform of Australia’s aged care system, many older people are… Read More »OPAN submission to Support at Home inquiry
Support at Home reform and the future of the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) emerged as key concerns during the first face-to-face meeting of the newly reformed National Older Persons Reference Group (NOPRG), held in Sydney this month. Drawing on their lived and living experience of the… Read More »Older people share insights to inform advocacy and aged care reform
The Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN) welcomes today’s announcement by the Albanese Government to retain the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) as a standalone program until 30 June 2029, with further reform to occur. OPAN CEO Craig Gear said the move is sensible… Read More »OPAN welcomes Commonwealth’s CHSP decision
Older people across Australia continue to experience delays and unacceptable challenges with the Support at Home program, with ABC Four Corners bringing national attention to critical issues that need urgent reform. Ongoing areas of concern include the use of a… Read More »ABC Four Corners highlights systemic problems with Support at Home program
Beverly Baker, National Older Women’s Network President and member of OPAN’s National Older Person’s Reference Group When Beverly Baker returned from Geneva recently, she brought home something she hasn’t always felt in discussions about older people’s rights: optimism. ‘People are getting it.’ The… Read More »Breaking the silence on elder abuse
OPAN has launched a new infosheet to support older people, their families and support networks to understand optional fees in residential aged care. The Higher Everyday Living Fee (HELF) is an optional fee for extra services that go beyond the… Read More »New resource: Higher Everyday Living Fees (HELF) information sheet
Theresa Flavin Dementia advocate Lived experience dementia consultant ‘It’s a really difficult subject, and it’s a big subject.’ For dementia advocate Theresa Flavin, restrictive practices in aged care are not just a policy issue – they are deeply personal, complex, and, too often,… Read More »‘We can do better’: restrictive practices and dementia care in Australia
The Statement of Rights poster has been released in four First Nations languages, improving access to important rights information for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the Northern Territory. The posters were translated with the support of Darwin Community Legal Service (DCLS), the Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN) Northern Territory Top End member, to ensure essential rights information is more accessible and… Read More »Statement of Rights poster now available in First Nations languages
When something goes wrong in aged care, speaking up can be a powerful way for older people to maintain control over their lives. Complaints are a critical mechanism for protecting the rights, safety and wellbeing of older people. The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission is the national regulator responsible for overseeing provider… Read More »‘This is my life’: why complaints matter in aged care