News

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

Response to the Assistive Technologies and Home Modifications Scheme for in-home aged care paper OPAN strongly supports the government’s plans for a separately funded aids and equipment scheme to enable older people to live safely and independently in their own… Read More »Strong support for home modifications scheme

The new, 10-year National Dementia Action Plan fails to address the segregation and detention of people living in aged care, according to OPAN CEO Craig Gear. ‘We strongly support this joint initiative between the federal, state and territory governments,’ Mr… Read More »Action plan ignores locked dementia units

Australia’s aged care system should be accessible to all older people, according to OPAN CEO Craig Gear. ‘That’s why the Charter of Aged Care Rights calls for service providers to actively affirm older people’s rich and diverse life experiences. ‘And why… Read More »Addressing the barriers to aged care

The Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN) has welcomed the Australian Government’s new Star Ratings for residential aged care providers, which were made public today. ‘This nationally consistent benchmark – a key recommendation of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety… Read More »Older people are entitled to five-star care

Most older people want to remain living independently in their own home,* yet one-fifth of Australians aged 80 or older live in residential age care – one of the highest proportions in the world.** In response, the Older Persons Advocacy… Read More »Innovation is the key to housing independence for older people

More than 50 peak bodies and key sector stakeholders last week (Friday, 9 December) attended OPAN’s #ReadyToListen Town Hall, which was aimed at preventing the sexual assault of older people and people living with dementia. A wide range of organisations… Read More »Over 50 organisations team up to prevent sexual assault

Lorraine Tye’s husband, Ron, lives with dementia. When he first went into residential care in regional NSW, she had concerns about the quality of care. ‘He was locked out in the garden one time I went to visit him –… Read More »Speak up for yourself – or someone you care for

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