News

Financial issues were one of the main reasons older people living in residential care called OPAN’s Aged Care Advocacy Line in the 23/24 financial year. Sometimes, a clear explanation of the Services Australia assessment process and provider costs and fees… Read More »How to take (financial) control of your aged care

Message from the CEO, Craig Gear The Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN) has reluctantly supported a 4-month delay to the implementation of the new rights-based Aged Care Act announced today because it was becoming increasingly apparent that older people didn’t have… Read More »Why OPAN supports delay to new Aged Care Act

Heidri Brook, a Financial Advocacy Officer with Aged and Disability Advocacy Australia (ADA Australia), OPAN’s Queensland network member.  Most people do not anticipate needing assistance with their finances. But with the rising cost of living and changes to the aged care… Read More »Aged care cost relief when you’re struggling to pay 

National Older Persons Reference Group member Michelle TreasureMichelle 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… Read More »‘Mum seemed happier and more engaged’ 

Rosemary Seam, National Older Persons Reference Group member ‘I know of someone whose family removed them from the electoral role because they thought it was an onerous responsibility for them,’ aged care resident and Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN) National… Read More »An older person’s right to vote doesn’t diminish with age. 

National Older Persons Reference group members OPAN’s National Older Persons Reference Group celebrates its fifth anniversary next week. The reference group was established on 27 March 2020 to hear directly from older people and support them to be actively involved… Read More »Raising older people’s voices

Daniella Greenwood, Consultant – Aged Care The Statement of Rights in the new Aged Care Act isn’t just words on paper, according to cultural and operational change consultant Daniella Greenwood. It’s the legislative muscle we need to bring about a… Read More »‘Little’ transgressions humiliating for older people 

Aged care advocates have delivered more than 24,000 cases of information and advocacy support across OPAN’s national 9-member network in the last 6 months – a 12.26% increase on the same period in the last  financial year – according to our… Read More »Poor communication remains key issue for older people

Stuart Barber, a financial advocacy officer with Senior Rights Service, OPAN’s New South Wales network member.    Tell us a little about your background.  I wasn’t always a ‘money guy’. I started as a graphic designer and was quite successful in… Read More »Advocacy in action: Stuart Barber

The new Aged Care Act was passed in the Australian Parliament on 25 November 2024. It will commence on 1 July 2025. Much of the detail around how it is to be implemented is contained in the subordinate legislation, or… Read More »What the new Aged Care Act means for you