Advocacy at the heart of new initiatives

Two new projects focusing on advocacy for older Australians are launching in Perth tomorrow in the presence of some of the sector’s biggest influencers.

Posted November 13th 2018

by Alexandra Stopford

<p>Ken Wyatt has been appointed Minister for Aged Care and Indigenous Health</p> — Ken Wyatt has been appointed Minister for Aged Care and Indigenous Health

The projects developed by the Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN) include digital training for the aged care workforce entitled ‘Talk To Us First’, as well as the OPAN National Elder Abuse Prevention and Advocacy Framework.

OPAN say ‘Talk To Us First’ is all about assisting with meeting the new Quality Standards regarding understanding the role and access pathways to aged care advocates and individual advocacy support for older people and their families, while the Framework focuses on “driving new ways of supporting the prevention of elder abuse and collaborating to provide advocacy to those at risk”.

Both resources will be launched by the Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care Ken Wyatt with speakers including Dr Kate Barnett, CEO Advocare Diedre Timms and OPAN CEO Craig Gear, and followed up with a Q&A session with the panel.

“I am delighted to be able to launch the two Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN) initiatives, which will help further strengthen the OPAN network, as the sole national provider of the Australian Government’s National Aged Care Advocacy Program,” Minister Wyatt says.

“Our Government is committed to ensuring our senior Australians receive the highest quality care possible – and the OPAN has an important role to play in this.

“The ‘Talk to Us First’ videos are accessible resource that will help to educate service provider staff about OPAN’s advocacy services as well as the Charters of Care Recipients’ Rights and Responsibilities.

“It is vital everyone involved in aged care understands the rights of people accessing aged care.

“Preventing and addressing elder abuse is a top priority and aged care advocacy plays an important part in this.

“The OPAN National Elder Abuse Prevention and Support Framework will allow OPAN’s national network to support senior Australians experiencing abuse, and provide a strong advocacy service for their rights and protection.

“Our Government is providing $25.7 million in funding for OPAN over three years, with an additional $2 million for OPAN to continue and expand its vital work to support people experiencing elder abuse, whether in the community or in aged care.”

The launch will be held in Perth at 11.30am, with other States and Territories able to join in the launch live via the web.

To register to view the launch online, visit https://login.redbackconferencing.com.au/landers/page/52b201