News

There is a common assumption that older people with disability cannot make their own decisions, OPAN CEO Craig Gear has told the Royal Commission into Violence, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability. The risk is increased if a substitute decision-maker… Read More »Speaking up for, not over, older people

To prevent the sort of abuse described in Alan’s story (below) we must presume everyone’s ability to make their own decisions – and enshrine that right in law. OPAN acknowledges the importance of appointing a substitute decision-maker (such as a… Read More »Maximising rights with supported-decision making

#ReadyToListen’s Charter of Sexual Rights has been enthusiastically embraced by older people, family members, carers, advocates, aged care workers and allied health professionals in OPAN’s online survey. The overwhelming majority (91.5 percent) of the 272 respondents either agreed or strongly… Read More »‘Staff are carers, not wardens’: survey endorses Charter

The Albanese Government’s second, crucial piece of government aged care reform legislation was approved by a Senate committee on Friday, 2 September. This should ensure a swift passage for the Aged Care Amendment (Implementing Care Reform) Bill 2022, which includes 24/7… Read More »Advocacy is for everyone – improving the lives of older people

OPAN wants  your feedback We would like your feedback on The Charter of Sexual Rights in Residential Aged Care, developed as part of the #ReadyToListen Project. More than 40 sexual assaults are recorded in residential aged care each week, according to… Read More »There is no ‘use-by’ date on consent

Clearly, we hit a nerve! More than 3,000 people signed up for our Understanding Home Care Packages webinar last week. And more than 10 per cent of them submitted questions. If you missed the webinar, or would like to replay it or… Read More »Top tips for getting the most out of your home care

Jack Cooney was nominated as our first Local Hero for generously giving his time to other residents at his aged care home. His story also features in the August issue of News for You. Can you tell us how you came… Read More »Meet 92 year old local hero Jack Cooney

People often joke, when filling out the paperwork for aged care services, that a degree in accounting would come in handy. Queensland advocate Heidri Brook isn’t about to argue. “I have a masters in social work, but my initial degree… Read More »You don’t need an accountant to understand aged care costs

An estimated 30,000 people to date have tuned in to watch Kamahl’s Christmas in July performance. Residents broke out the tinsel in aged care homes from Silverchain Centre in Western Australia to Moonee Valley Friendship Club in Victoria and Regis in… Read More »Kamahl lights up Christmas in July with record audience

‘I’m so looking forward to hearing Kamahl sing after all these years,’ says 102-year-old wardrobe mistress Hazel Orson.  It’s been more than 50 years since Hazel Orson made Kamahl’s stage costumes. But while her copy of the sheet music for… Read More »102-year-old wardrobe mistress recalls working with Kamahl