Rights-focused forum addresses aged care reforms

A COMMUNITY forum in Portarlington will give residents the tools to understand and protect their rights as major reforms to aged care legislation come into effect next month.

The reforms, developed in response to the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety, will see the introduction of a new statement of rights to ensure older people are treated with dignity and respect, stronger aged care quality standards and greater oversight from the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission.

With the aim of informing residents about their expanded rights, the forum will be held on Monday, June 16 at the Senior Citizens Centre in Newcombe Street in Portarlington between 2pm and 4pm.

It will be hosted by Staying in Portarlington (SIP) – a positive ageing action group providing support and information for people who choose to age in place in a residence of their choosing – and the Portarlington Senior Citizens Club.

Guest speaker Felicity Thyer, from Elder Rights Victoria, will explain the current Charter of Rights and provide real-life examples of how individuals have asserted those rights.

SIP president Jenny Wills said the forum is timely, following the City of Greater Geelong’s recent decision to continue providing in-home aged care after it proposed, in April, to transition the service to specialist providers.

She criticised the “widespread community concern and anxiety” the proposal had caused, but welcomed the city’s decision to remain as an aged care provider and urged all service providers to ensure they comply with the new requirements.

To register for the forum, email stayinginportarlington@gmail.com or phone 5259 2032.