Empowering older people

Empowering older people

On behalf of OPAN, a network of more than 200 advocates travel the country to educate aged care residents about their rights.

Gerard Dunlop drinks a lot of tea. As an aged care advocate at the Seniors Rights Service – which represents the Older Persons Advocacy Network in New South Wales – Dunlop is a regular visitor to aged care homes along the far north coast.

His patch covers Grafton to Tweed, around 50 facilities in all. “I usually arrive in time for morning tea,” Dunlop tells

But there’s more to Dunlop’s visit than a brew and a biscuit. He’s there to talk to residents about their rights. Specifically, those laid out in the Charter of Aged Care Rights.

Gerard Dunlop

Revised in 2019, all providers of governmentfunded aged care – including residential and home care – must comply with the charter.

While sharing a cuppa with residents, Dunlop first explains his role as an aged care advocate. “I talk to them about who we are and what we do,” he says.

Then he runs residents through the charter –there are 14 rights in all. “I try to keep it light; I try not to bore them,” says Dunlop.

These group sessions usually last for around 45 minutes. “Afterwards, people often want to talk to me privately. It can be any number of concerns,” says Dunlop.

“There are sometimes issues around fees and charges or there could be issues over care and services. There may be complaints about staff or the food on offer,” he explains.

Then – with the resident’s permission – Dunlop will approach the provider on their behalf to try to resolve the issue. speaking up for themselves, we do it for them.”

“We’ve very much moved away from the adversarial model of advocacy.”

OPAN’s aged care advocacy network stretches across the country. It comprises of nine state and territory member organisations.

There are more than 200 advocates travelling through every region of Australia offering free and confidential advice and support to residents, their families and carers.

OPAN CEO Craig Gear says advocates have the right to access a residential facility under the User Rights Principles of the Aged Care Act – and it’s in providers’ best interests for them to do so.

“By letting us in to deliver that education directly to older people, providers can demonstrate they are meeting Standard 6, which is around access to advocates.”

Gear is referring to the Aged Care Quality Standards – which all providers must adhere to.

Craig Gear OAM

“So, our advocates go in, provide education by explaining to residents their rights and then give one-on-one support in the form of individual advocacy.”

It’s not only the resident who benefits from these visits explains Gear. “After our visit, providers will have better outcomes. In turn, they’ll improve their star ratings and they’ll be able to demonstrate they’re meeting the standards. Ultimately, they’ll be delivering better care and support to older people.”

Through the advocates’ visits, providers can receive valuable feedback, adds Gear.

“Sometimes it’s hard to get that direct feedback from the resident themselves and there can be many reasons for that. Someone might not feel confident raising their issues, there might be communication difficulties or family dynamics

Member of OPAN’s National Older Persons Reference Group Gwenda Darling.

“We’ve very much moved away from the adversarial model of advocacy,” he says. “Yes, we may sometimes be assertive around the rights of older people, but that’s because we’re passionate about working on the side of the older person and delivering the best outcome for them.”

OPAN’S advocacy work can also be about protecting the older person. Gear tells of an advocate’s remit is to support an older person who may have experienced abuse.

“I need to be allowed the dignity to take the risks that I believe are safe for me.”

OPAN provided support for more than 1,200 cases of elder abuse in the 2022 financial year.

“It might be abuse from family members, it might be abuse by the residents or abuse connected to the provider. So that does happen, and we want to prevent that happening,” says Gear.

Returning to the charter, Gear says perhaps the most popular right for residents is number seven – the right to “have control over and make choices about my care, and personal and social life.”

“When I’ve gone in and stepped residents through their rights, I’ll get to number seven and they’ll say, ‘That’s the one I like!’”

Residents also like right nine, which can be summed up in one word: independence. Including having the independence to take risks. “That’s a common concern,” says Dunlop. “People not being allowed to take risks, which of course they’re allowed to do – if they have the capacity."

Indeed, this is a key concern for home care recipient Gwenda Darling.

“To maintain my independence, I need to be allowed the dignity to take the risks that I believe are safe for me,” says Darling, – a member of OPAN’s National Older Persons Reference Group and the Council of Elders. “I need it to be acknowledged that I still have that capability.”

It’s what all older people want, says Dunlop. only that morning a resident had complained to him that they were stopped from going over the road to the sports club because it was deemed too dangerous by a staff member.

“Really, it’s the property of the older person to make that decision,” he says. “The older person has the right to have control over their life.”

When a resident is informed of that right – and others contained in the charter – they feel enabled to speak up for themselves says Dunlop. “It’s about empowerment.”

Gear agrees. “It’s absolutely about empowerment. It’s about agency and it’s about maintaining citizenship.”

And that’s what OPAN’s network of advocates is trying to uphold says Gear. “The right of every older Australian to respect and dignity. That’s what we’re really all about. That and helping residents raise their voices.” •

FREE EDUCATION: The Older Persons Advocacy Network offers face-to-face education and information sessions tailored for older people, their friends, family, and representatives. Sessions can be delivered in residential or community care settings by our national team of aged care advocates covering rights and advocacy. Book a session today at opan.org.au/ contact-us/request-education

Contact Older Persons Advocacy Network -

W:opan.org.au

T: 1800 700 600