As we get older, we need to rely more on others for care and support. That's why it is so important for aged care providers to act with integrity, empathy, and ethics at all times. Unfortunately, there has been recent news of neglect occurring in some aged care homes, and this is deeply concerning for older Australians and their families.
At MACG, we are a family owned aged care provider with family values at our core. We provide a level of care that is not only expected, but entitled and deserved.
We have written this guide to give you an understanding of the rights of aged care residents and their families, the obligations and responsibilities of care providers, and how to find out if a provider is maintaining the level of care they should be.
MACG is committed to providing safe and comfortable environments for our residents in aged care. If you have any questions about residential aged care or our approach to it, please get in touch with our team.
Aged care regulations and ethics
There is legislation which regulates aged care providers and the standard of care they provide to older Australians, including the Aged Care Act 1997 and several others. To be approved by the Australian Federal Government, an aged care home must meet a range of accreditation standards to ensure that everyone living in aged care homes receives a very high standard of care.
The accreditation standards cover a broad range of topics, including:
- Management
- Staffing
- Health and personal care
- Resident lifestyle
- Living environment
- Catering
- Cleaning
- Continuous improvement
- Safety and security
Read the full accreditation standards here.
There is also a Charter of Care Recipients' Rights and Responsibilities which outlines the conditions which care recipients are entitled to, as well as their responsibilities to care providers and other care recipients in the home.
The rights of care recipients include being entitled "to quality care appropriate to his or her needs" and "to be treated with dignity and respect, and to live without exploitation, abuse or neglect", and many other similar rights.
The responsibilities of care recipients include "to respect the rights and needs of other people within the residential care service" and "to respect the rights of staff to work in an environment free from harassment", as well as some responsibilities regarding caring for your own well being as much as you are able to.
Read the full charter here.
How do you choose the best aged care home?
Everyone wants to choose the best aged care home in Melbourne for their loved ones or themselves, but how do you actually do it? Here are some of the steps you can take to determine whether a particular aged care home is the right place for you and your family:
1. Ask questions
If there's anything you're not sure about or any specific information you want to find out, simply ask the care provider. Any good aged care home should be happy to answer any and all questions you have.
2. Take a tour of the home
One of the best ways to get a feel for an aged care home is to take a tour. This should give you an idea of whether or not you will feel comfortable and at home there. A good aged care home should resemble more like a second home rather than just a place for your family members to stay in when they need assistance with their daily activities.
3. Check for a notice of non-compliance
If an aged care home has breached any of the compliance standards mentioned above, they will have a Notice of Non-Compliance when you search for their name using the aged care homes finder. This will also show you if there are any sanctions in place which the home must comply with.
4. Location, location, location
It's very important that you choose a home that is in an area where you feel at ease and with access to the amenities such as the shops if required by yourself or your loved ones. It's also advisable to consider whether there are any specialist facilities nearby such as emergency care centres if this is what your family member requires.
Discover the MACG difference
At Medical & Aged Care Group, we are proud to be a family owned business which brings family values into the core of our business. We believe in providing the level of care we would want for our own family members and ourselves.
We provide high-quality aged care homes and care services which meet and exceed all Australian regulations and standards. We believe in going above and beyond to achieve the highest level of care and wellbeing for our residents.
