The term Registered Supporter is specific to the Australian Aged Care system, particularly with the introduction of the new Aged Care Act. This new role is designed to support older people receiving or seeking aged care services in making their own choices and decisions.
It is grounded in the principle of supported decision-making, acknowledging that many older people may need assistance to understand information and communicate their preferences.
What is a Registered Supporter?
A Registered Supporter is an individual formally recognized under the new Aged Care Act who assists an older person in understanding and communicating decisions about their care and services.
The role is purely one of support; it does not grant the supporter authority to make decisions on behalf of the older person. This distinction is fundamental to the rights-based approach of the new legislation, emphasizing the older person's control over their life and care.
The Registered Supporter acts as a trusted person who can:
- Receive and access information relating to the older person's aged care services.
- Share information with the older person in a way they can readily understand.
- Help the older person grasp the different options available to them and the potential results of each choice.
- Assist the older person in clearly communicating their wishes and decisions to providers and other parties.
This role replaces or works alongside previous informal support arrangements, formalizing the process to ensure transparency and accountability. An older person chooses who they wish to be their Registered Supporter, which is often a family member or friend.
Why is this Role Necessary?
Older people receiving aged care services sometimes face complex choices regarding their care, living arrangements, and financial matters related to their services. For various reasons, they may find it hard to process this information or communicate effectively.
The Registered Supporter mechanism addresses this by providing a recognized and regulated way for an older person to receive the necessary support without sacrificing their right to self-determination.
The intent is to make sure that the older person's will and preferences are respected throughout their aged care journey. This commitment to supported decision-making is a cornerstone of the legislative reforms, making sure people receiving care remain at the center of all decisions affecting them.
Key Functions of the Role
The functions of a Registered Supporter center around communication and capacity building. They work to bridge gaps in understanding and access to information.
Information and Communication
A critical function is assisting with the flow of information. Aged care providers are required to communicate with the Registered Supporter, allowing them to:
- Request and receive documents: The supporter can ask for information about the older person's care plan, services, and any relevant administrative matters.
- Explain options: They break down complex aged care policies, services, and options into simpler language for the older person.
- Facilitate the older person's voice: When the older person has made a decision, the supporter helps them express that decision clearly to their provider or the System Governor.
Decision-Making Support
It is important to remember that the supporter's role stops short of decision-making authority. They are not a guardian or attorney for the older person in this context. Their support is aimed at empowering the older person. They help the older person consider:
- The quality and suitability of different services.
- Changes to their care needs or support arrangements.
- Exercising their rights under the Aged Care Act.
Governance and Oversight
The Registered Supporter role is overseen by a System Governor, who is responsible for the integrity of the supporter system. This oversight includes handling complaints about a Registered Supporter or managing declarations of conflict of interest. This regulatory layer adds a layer of safety and confidence to the arrangement.
Limitations of the Role
It is essential to understand what a Registered Supporter cannot do:
- They cannot make decisions for the older person.
- They cannot override the older person's decisions, even if they disagree.
- The role does not grant financial power or medical consent authority unless the supporter holds separate legal authority (like a power of attorney) under state or territory law.
The Registered Supporter is one piece of the puzzle in a system focused on the older person’s freedom to choose and to live a dignified life receiving care that meets their needs and desires.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can anyone become a Registered Supporter?
The older person chooses who they want to support them. Once chosen, the individual must meet certain criteria and be registered with the System Governor under the new Aged Care Act.
2. Does a Registered Supporter have legal authority to sign documents?
No, being a Registered Supporter does not automatically give a person legal authority to make or sign decisions. Their role is strictly to support the older person in making their own decisions. Separate legal arrangements, such as a Power of Attorney, are required for formal decision-making authority.
3. What if an older person already has a carer or family helping them?
Informal carers and family members can keep assisting the older person. The Registered Supporter role is a formal option for those who want a recognized person to assist with communication and information within the aged care system. It is a choice the older person makes.
4. Who is responsible for overseeing Registered Supporters?
The System Governor, as set out in the new Aged Care Act, is responsible for maintaining the integrity of the Registered Supporter system, including managing conflicts of interest and complaints about supporters.
