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 most recent study of elder abuse prevalence in Australia found that 14.8% of those 65 years and over had experienced at least one recognised form of elder abuse over the previous 12 months. This statistic highlights why World Elder… Read More »World Elder Abuse Awareness Day 2026: ‘It is still too much of a taboo topic’
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
The Older Person’s Advocacy Network (OPAN) welcomes additional protections for older people announced by Government today for the Support at Home program but warns that delaying promised pricing caps will continue to leave older people exposed to rising costs. “We… Read More »Support at Home protections welcomed but pricing caps delay leaves older people exposed
The 2026/27 Federal Budget leaves many challenges within the aged care system, which risks older people being worse off. While the Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN) acknowledges the substantial $3.7 billion investment – including 5000 new residential aged care places… Read More »Federal Budget 2026-27
As Australia’s aged care system continues to undergo significant reform, ensuring older people are heard and supported to exercise their rights remains critical. For Carolanne Barkla, that focus has guided her leadership of Aged Rights Advocacy Service – the OPAN member for South Australia – and… Read More »A voice on your side: the power of independent advocacy
The Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN) welcomes the announcement by the Albanese Government that older people on the Support at Home aged care program will no longer pay out-of-pocket costs for help with showering, dressing and support with continence management. OPAN Director… Read More »Changes to Support at Home welcomed, but further reforms are urgently needed