News

Dr Kay Patterson with (from left to right) Sara Blunt (CEO, James Brown Memorial Trust), Carolanne Barkla (CEO, Aged Rights Advocacy Service), Anne Burgess (Chairperson, Council of Elders) and Craig Gear (CEO, OPAN) at a farewell event in Adelaide hosted… Read More »Commissioner a powerful advocate for older people

OPAN received almost 1400 calls about abuse in the six months to March 2023. Abuse of older people can take many forms and is not always obvious. It may be psychological, emotional, physical, sexual, financial, or due to neglect. The… Read More »How to protect yourself from harm

The Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN) has welcomed the Aged Care Reform Roadmap released today by the Minister for Aged Care, Anika Wells. ‘Older people need to know what changes are coming, when those changes are coming, and how those… Read More »OPAN backs aged care roadmap and taskforce

As the peak body representing older people’s interests in the aged care sector, OPAN is committed to strong leadership on reconciliation. Today we publish our Statement of Intent, which sets out the vision for our Reflect RAP, which has been… Read More »Looking to the future of reconciliation

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders often find it hard to access the same level of support as other Australians. ‘There may be barriers like a language barrier, or a cultural barrier,’ says Elsja Dewis, one of 10 specialist advocates… Read More »Respecting the cultural needs of Elders

Maggie Beer has been a passionate voice for better food and nutrition in residential aged care for almost a decade. ‘Of course, there is a long way to go,’ she says. Ahead of our upcoming webinar – Food, glorious food: and… Read More »We’ll show you what’s possible: Maggie Beer

The best way to avoid premature entry into residential aged care, says ADA Australia advocate Nicky Adjei, is to plan ahead. ‘My key piece of advice to older people is: “be prepared”. That includes knowing your rights – and your… Read More »Don’t wait for a crisis

Theresa Flavin will share her own burning sense of urgency with the UN Open-Ended Working Group on Ageing (OWEGA) in New York this week. ‘I have perhaps another four years living in the community,’ said the advocate and activist, who… Read More »Time is running out, dementia advocate tells UN

Paul Debar has gained six kilos since he moved into residential aged care in November with Bonny, his German shepherd-kelpie cross. ‘I get three meals a day, I can make a coffee whenever I want and it’s good accommodation –… Read More »Best of friends reunited

Ray is one of two local heroes in the April 2023 edition of News for You, our newsletter for people living in aged care homes. Ray was nominated for bringing the joy of country music to fellow residents in Forbes NSW.… Read More »Ray strikes the right chord