Aged care advocacy support

• Supporting you to access aged care services by engaging with My Aged Care, attending aged care assessments and meetings with
  service providers
• Supporting you to get the most from your aged care services
• Information about fees and charges
• Supporting you to have a say in your care and the things that impact you.

• Understanding your rights and responsibilities
• Raising and addressing care related concerns with service providers
• Communicating your preferences
• Providing information about service agreements,
  fees, statements and budgets
• Issues related to your care plan
• Researching care and equipment options
• Referrals for assessments and additional services.

• Recommend which provider or services you should choose
• Provide financial advice or legal advice.

Yes, our services are confidential. Our advocates will always seek your permission before discussing your situation or concerns with anyone else.

We will always try to ensure your confidentiality is maintained by being discreet when calling you on the phone or visiting you in person.

We will look at whether the person is able to make a decision regarding the particular issue. For example, a person’s capacity to make financial decisions may be limited, but they may still be able to give clear direction about lifestyle decisions such as the types of activities they enjoy, or the meals they prefer.

Our Community Legal Service, ADA Law, provides specific advocacy support, legal advice and representation to adults whose decisionmaking capacity is impaired or in question, in relation to guardianship and administration matters.

To contact ADA Law, FREECALL 1800 232 529.

However, we will also need to discuss the issue with you. Your directions and wishes will guide the work that we do. Family members, carers and friends can be included in discussions and the process to support you.

We can also work with formal decision makers such as your Enduring Power of Attorney. However, again we will always ensure that your views and wishes direct anything we do.

• people from Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander communities
• people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds
• people who live in rural or remote areas
• people who are financially or socially disadvantaged
• people who are veterans of the Australian Defence Force or an allied defence force
  including the spouse, widow or widower of a veteran
• people who are homeless, or at risk of becoming homeless
• people who are care leavers (which includes Forgotten Australians, Former Child Migrants and Stolen Generations)
• people separated from their children by forced adoption or removal
• people from lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans/ transgender and intersex (LGBTI) communities.

To access advocacy support you can call the Aged Care Advocacy Line on 1800 700 600, our team of advocates are available Monday to Friday 8am–8pm and Saturday 10am-4pm.

For more information regarding how ADA Australia may be able to help you, please visit our website www.adaaustralia.com.au