Charter of rights for community care

The industry says the government’s planned charter of rights for community clients must recognise the differences between residential and community care.

The Government has marked the UN’s International Day for Older People with the launch of its charter of rights for older people who receive care at home.

The new charter applies to people with community aged care packages (CACPs), extended aged care at home (EACH) packages and EACH dementia packages.

A charter outlining the rights of aged care facility residents was introduced 12 years ago.

Ageing Minister, Justine Elliot said the community care charter was being introduced in recognition of the growing importance of community-based care.

“This is an important step forward for consumers, carers and those who provide them with services,” she said.

“[It] is another measure introduced by the Rudd Government’s to help structure the aged care system around the needs and desires of older Australians.

It is hoped that the charter will give older Australians a greater say in how they receive services. It also upholds the right of community care users to have their complaints investigated fairly and confidentially.

The charter also touches on the right of home support staff to a safe working environment.

It is the result of extensive consultation with the Ageing Consultative Committee which is made up of service providers, consumer groups and unions.

Aged and Community Services Australia said it supported the development of the charter.

But the association’s CEO, Greg Mundy added that on the International Day of Older People, it was important to remember that more needs to be done to meet the needs of Australia’s ageing population.

“ACSA is heartened that the Government is paying attention to the needs of so many people who have made our country what it is today,” he said.

“But older Australians need more than a Charter of Rights and Responsibilities for Community Care announced by the Minister for Ageing today.

“There is so much more that needs to be done to ensure Australia can and will be able to provide optimum care and support for our elderly when, where and however they need it.

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