25Statement of Principles

25  Statement of Principles

A person‑centred aged care system

 (1) The safety, health, wellbeing and quality of life of individuals is the primary consideration in the delivery of funded aged care services.

 (2) The Commonwealth aged care system supports the delivery of funded aged care services by registered providers that:

 (a) puts older people first; and

 (b) treats older people as unique individuals; and

 (c) recognises the rights of individuals under the Statement of Rights.

 (3) The Commonwealth aged care system supports individuals to:

 (a) be able to reside at the individual’s home (if the individual so chooses) or, if that is not possible, in a setting that is appropriate given the individual’s circumstances, needs and preferences; and

 (b) exercise individual responsibility and make decisions that enable the individual to lead an active and fulfilling life, including by engaging in the community and maintaining relationships with people (if the individual so chooses); and

 (c) be active and informed in decision‑making, or be supported (if necessary) to make or communicate decisions, about the funded aged care services the individual accesses to ensure the individual’s will and preferences are respected; and

 (d) maintain or improve the individual’s physical, mental, cognitive and communication capabilities to the extent possible (if the individual so chooses), except where it is the individual’s choice to access palliative care and end‑of‑life care; and

 (e) be aware of, understand and be empowered to exercise, their rights under the Statement of Rights when accessing, or seeking to access, funded aged care services; and

 (f) engage with, and be supported by, independent aged care advocates (if the individual so chooses), including through receiving information, education and advocacy in relation to accessing, or seeking to access, funded aged care services.

 (4) The Commonwealth aged care system offers accessible, culturally safe, culturally appropriate, trauma‑aware and healing‑informed funded aged care services, if required by an individual and based on the needs of the individual, regardless of the individual’s location, background and life experiences.

Note: This may include individuals who:

(a) are Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander persons, including those from stolen generations; or

(b) are veterans or war widows; or

(c) are from culturally, ethnically and linguistically diverse backgrounds; or

(d) are financially or socially disadvantaged; or

(e) are experiencing homelessness or at risk of experiencing homelessness; or