AUSTRALIA | A Senate Report on the Aged Care Bill has been praised by the Older Persons Advocacy Network for prioritising older Australians.
The Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN) has welcomed the Senate Report on the Aged Care Bill 2024, saying it puts older people at the centre of aged care.
OPAN CEO Craig Gear OAM said this was a significant step towards enshrining older people’s rights into our nation’s legislation.
OPAN CEO Craig Gear OAM said this was a significant step towards enshrining older people’s rights into our nation’s legislation.
“This Bill implements 58 recommendations made by the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety, and establishes a modern, rights-based legislative framework. We have long called for an Act that focuses on the rights, safety, health and wellbeing of older people. This Bill provides those building blocks.”
“On balance, it’s now time to move forward. We need the support for transition for all parties, including older people, families and providers,” said Gear.
“There is much work that needs to be done to ensure aged care providers are ready for the 1 July 2025 start date, but this can be done.”
Gear thanked the older people who provided their lived and living experience perspective on the Bill.
“I’d like to thank everyone who contributed to the Senate’s Inquiry, and our advocates who gave evidence at the hearings,” Gear said.
“I look forward to engaging with the Government on the implementation of this Bill.”
Recently, there has been a 20 percent increase since last year in demand for support from older people to help resolve issues with their aged care providers, according to a new report released today. The Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN) released its fourth Presenting Issues report which analysed more than 44,000 cases of advocacy and information support across its national network of advocates in 2023-2024.
The top two issues are poor communication and lack of information from providers, topping the list for a second year in a row. Issues around fees and charges also dominated the complaints.
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