OPAN launches new self-advocacy toolkit to give older Australians a stronger voice

The online toolkit is designed to give people the knowledge and ability to advocate for themselves or another loved one to get the care and support they need.

The toolkit contains checklists, videos and a variety of resources to help people expand their knowledge and arm themselves with the information needed to approach a provider or make a complaint.

Some of the topics covered are: aged care rights; aged care options; solving common aged care problems; raising concerns and making complaints; protecting yourself from harm; help with decision making, ensuring your life experience is respected; medication, chemical restraint and your choice; serious incidents; identifying abuse; formal complaints to the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commissioner and practical tips to protect yourself.

OPAN chief exectutive Craig Gear said OPAN was still there to support people if they wanted help.

"However, older people have told us they want to exercise their right to independence and they want to have information provided to them in a way that's easily understood - and that's what the toolkit aims to do," he said.

Mr Gear said the toolkit was about empowering people to have the skills, tips and tricks to stand up and speak for themselves; providing the information they might need to know before going to speak to a provider with some feedback or concerns.

The toolkit is online at opan.org.au/toolkit.

Those people who would rather have information in a written format can contact OPAN on 1800 700 600.