Older people have a right to make decisions about their own lives. This includes decisions about their care.
They also have a right to have support to make those decisions.
Supported decision-making
Supported decision-making means helping an older person to make and communicate their own decisions and have control of their lives.
It focuses on helping older people:
- understand their options
- think about the advantages and disadvantages
- make decisions about their care. This includes decisions about making a complaint.
Supported decision-making is different for everyone. It can include:
- sharing information in a way the older person can understand. For example, looking at information together, talking about what it means and using plain language
- helping the older person to understand the options and their possible consequences
- supporting the older person to clearly communicate their choices
- different levels and types of support, depending on the older person’s needs and circumstances, and the type of decision they are making
- helping the older person, their family, other supporters and the provider to understand the complaints process and how to support the older person through it.
Types of supporters
Older people can choose who supports them. For example:
- their family, carers and other significant people in their lives
- a registered supporter
- an aged care advocate.
They can have more than one supporter.
Registered supporters
A registered supporter is someone an older person trusts – like a family member or friend – who helps them make and communicate their own decisions about their care, including speaking to providers, aged care assessors, and us. They can ask for, access, and receive information about the older person they support. This is different from a guardian or power of attorney, who can legally make decisions for an older person.
Registered supporters don’t have the authority to make decisions for the older person. Their role is to:
- support the older person’s personal, cultural and social wellbeing
- help the older person make and communicate their own decisions
- support the older person’s ability to make their own decisions.
Some registered supporters also have roles such as guardianship or enduring power of attorney.
Supporters can be registered by:
- contacting My Aged Care, an aged care assessor or an Aged Care Specialist Officer
- completing the Registration of a Supporter form online or on a My Aged Care account.
Not every older person will want or need a registered supporter. Some will feel they are already supported by their family, carers and other significant people in their lives to make their own decisions.
We’ll work with the older person and whoever they choose to support them with their complaint. Their supporters do not have to be registered to work with us.
Aged care advocates
Older people can have support from an aged care advocate. An advocate is an independent person who can listen to their concerns and provide information. Advocates can help them make a complaint.
To find an aged care advocate, contact the Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN) on 1800 700 600 or visit opan.com.au.
