The Government has further streamlined its one-stop shop for aged care support – the My Aged Care web site – to make it easier for consumers to consent to a representative acting on their behalf.
The changes make it easier to understand who can act on a consumer’s behalf, how to nominate a representative, and what they can and can’t do on the site.
The Australian Government’s My Aged Care web site gives people more choice, more control and easier access to a full range of aged care services.
Aged Care Minister Ken Wyatt said the changes would benefit consumers and health professionals.
“If a person is capable of consenting to someone speaking and acting on their behalf in My Aged Care, he or she now has greater flexibility in appointing a regular representative, and who that person can be,” Mr Wyatt said.
“In those cases where a person may not be capable of providing such consent, the consumer will need to have an authorised representative appointed for them.
“The legal documents needed to establish an authorised representative, and the nature of decisions made in My Aged Care, have now been streamlined to make them consistent with state and territory legislation.”
Consumers who are not able to connect with My Aged Care and who don’t have a representative, can now be referred directly by a third party, such as a health care professional, for assessment.
“Health professionals will also benefit as they will be able to follow up on their patient’s progress when they call the My Aged Care contact centre,” Mr Wyatt said.
“This will enable them to provide continuity of care for their patients. There will be greater visibility on the progress of referrals, as health professionals work together with My Aged Care assessors in support of older people.
“These changes will ensure that vulnerable consumers don’t fall through the cracks, and are able to receive the assessments and aged care services they need.
“Simplifying the system will better support people through their My Aged Care journey.”
The Government also announced a shake-up of the Aged Care advocacy sector, with a single organisation awarded $25.7 million over three years to deliver a new national system.
The Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN) – a recently formed entity comprising nine state and territory aged care advocacy organisations – will deliver advocacy services under the National Aged Care Advocacy Program’s (NACAP) new framework.
“Moving to a single provider model will allow the NACAP to build on its experience and expand its skills base,” Mr Wyatt said.
“Through its extensive national presence, OPAN will ensure strong advocacy services continue.
“With consumers now more involved in making decisions, I understand the important role strong advocacy can play, especially when people may find it difficult to express themselves.”
Have you used the My Aged Care web site? What are your thoughts? Is it easy to navigate? What improvements would you like to see?
For more information visit myagedcare.gov.au
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