New Aged Care Quality Standards explained

What do new, strengthened laws to protect senior Australians mean for you?

On 1 July, following an extensive community consultation, new national Aged Care Quality Standards were launched. They reflect the level of care and services the community can now expect.

KinCare is very proud of our track record supporting older Australians to stay living in their homes. These new Quality Standards just reaffirm what a high standard of care KinCare has delivered as an industry leader for 25 years.

Below, we answer some of your most pressing questions about the new Quality Standards:

Why was reform needed?

The existing standards that regulated the aged care sector were over 20 years old. They were outdated, and didn’t reflect the needs of older people in Australia today.

The Australian Government took an important step to improve the safety and quality of aged care to enhance the lives of older Australians – one that was urgently required.

The new Quality Standards make aged care providers much more accountable for each Customer’s safety and quality of care. They clearly define what good care should look like and make it easier for you to ensure you receive care and support that meets your individual needs.

Am I affected?

The Quality Standards apply to you if you receive Government-subsidised aged care, including: residential care, a home care package, flexible care, or services provided under the Commonwealth Home Support Programme and the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Flexible Aged Care Program.

What are my rights now?

Under the new Quality Standards, you have the right to:

• safe and high-quality care and services
• be treated with dignity and respect
• have your identity, culture and diversity valued and supported
• live without abuse and neglect
• be informed about your care and services in a way you understand
• access all information about yourself, including information about your rights, care and services
• have control over and make choices about your care, and personal and social life, including where the choices involve personal risk
• have control over, and make decisions about, the personal aspects of your daily life, financial affairs and possessions
• your independence
• be listened to and understood
• have a person of your choice, including an aged care advocate, support you or speak on your behalf
• complain free from reprisal, and have your complaints dealt with fairly and promptly
• personal privacy and to have your personal information protected
• exercise your rights without it adversely affecting the way you are treated

To ensure these fundamental protections are in place, your aged care provider will now be required to regularly prove their care and services are safe, effective and focused on your needs.

But will the Standards make any real difference to my life?

Yes, they will. Because the Charter of Rights is very explicit about what you should expect from your aged care, you and your family can now feel more comfortable to raise questions and issues with your provider if you feel your services aren’t up to standard.

If needed, you will also be able to contact the newly established, independent Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission to give feedback or make a complaint about the quality of care and services you have received.

KinCare: celebrating over 25 years of high-quality care

As pioneers of home care in this country, KinCare is very proud of the high-quality services we have consistently offered. We have always met, and often exceeded, industry standards for our wonderful Customers. The KinCare team welcomes these reforms and their focus on increasing dignity and choice for all people in aged care around Australia.

Regardless of who you are, where you live, your life experience, identity, beliefs and culture, KinCare has always supported your right to have your personal and clinical needs met. That won’t change.
This means you will continue to receive the same high-quality care the community has come to expect from KinCare.