What are the rights and responsibilities of patient and care provider in in home aged care setting?

Have you ever wondered about the intricate dance of rights and responsibilities between patients and care providers in the intimate setting of in-home aged care? What exactly do they entail, and how do they shape the caregiving journey?

Understanding patients’ and care providers’ rights and responsibilities is crucial for fostering a respectful and supportive environment. This article delves into the key aspects of the rights and responsibilities in the context of in-home aged care, emphasising the significance of knowing and upholding these principles.

Understanding the Rights and Responsibilities in Aged Care

Importance of Knowing Your Rights and Responsibilities

Empowering both patients and caregivers with knowledge about their respective rights and responsibilities forms the foundation for a harmonious caregiving relationship. This awareness promotes mutual understanding, ensuring that care is provided with respect, dignity, and adherence to ethical standards.

When patients know their rights, they can better advocate for themselves and ensure they receive the highest quality of care. They are also more likely to actively participate in their treatment plans and make informed judgments about their health. This also enables carers to fulfil their duties ethically and in accordance with established standards, leading to improved aged care quality for the elderly.

Key Rights of Patients in Aged Care Settings

In the context of in-home aged care, patients possess fundamental rights safeguarding their well-being. These include the right to dignity, privacy, informed consent, and quality care.

1. Right to Dignity: Patients have the inherent right to be treated with dignity and respect. This encompasses the recognition of their individuality and personal worth and the preservation of their self-esteem throughout the caregiving process.
2. Right to Privacy: Aged care recipients are entitled to privacy regarding their personal and medical information. Care providers must uphold confidentiality, ensuring that sensitive details are shared only with those involved in the patient’s care and with the patient’s explicit consent.
3. Right to Informed Consent: Patients have the right to be fully informed about their care and treatment options. Informed consent involves providing patients with comprehensive information, allowing them to make autonomous decisions regarding their health, and applying them in the decision-making process along with their carers.
4. Right to Quality Care: Every patient has the right to receive high-quality care that addresses their physical, emotional, and psychological needs. Quality care encompasses medical treatment and considerations for the patient’s overall well-being.

Also Read: DIGNITY OF RISK IN AGED CARE

Charter of Aged Care Rights

The Charter of Aged Care Rights sets out the rights of all people receiving the Australian Government-subsidised aged care services. The Charter was introduced on July 1, 2019 and applies regardless of the type of care or service.

The Charter of Aged Care Rights includes the following rights:

1. Safe and high-quality care: The right to receive safe and high-quality care and services appropriate to the individual’s needs.
2. Dignity and respect: The right to be treated with dignity and respect, with recognition of the individual’s identity, culture, and diversity.
3. Identity, culture, and diversity: The right to live in a way consistent with one’s cultural, religious, and linguistic preferences without discrimination.
4. Independence: The right to maintain independence, control, and choice in decision-making as long as it does not harm others.
5. Information and communication: The right to access information about the care and services being provided, including information about fees, charges, and complaints processes. The right to be informed in a way that is easy to understand and to communicate in a way that is suitable for the individual’s needs.
6. Privacy and confidentiality: The right to privacy and confidentiality of personal information, including access to and correct personal records.
7. Participation and inclusion: The right to be included in decisions about care and services and to be involved in the planning and reviewing of one’s care.
8. Complaints and feedback: The right to raise concerns and complaints about care and services without fear of reprisal and to address those concerns promptly and effectively.
9. Personal belongings and living environment: The right to have personal belongings and access to a clean, safe, and comfortable living environment.
10. Visiting and social interaction: The right to have visitors and to maintain social contacts and relationships.

In the context of in-home aged care, the rights and responsibilities of everyone involved are governed by the Aged Care Quality Standards implemented by the Australian Government. These standards include the Charter of Care Recipients’ Rights and Responsibilities – Home Care, which focuses explicitly on the rights and responsibilities of individuals receiving in-home aged care services.

Responsibilities of Care Recipients

Respecting the Rights of Care Providers: Care recipients have a responsibility to respect the rights of care providers, including their confidentiality and privacy.

Transparency and Cooperation: Transparency and cooperation from care recipients are essential for effective care, requiring them to provide accurate information about their needs and preferences.

Following the Agreement: Following the terms of the written agreement or care plan is important for care recipients to ensure they receive the appropriate care and support.

Home Access: Care recipients should allow safe and reasonable access to their homes for care providers to deliver the agreed-upon services.

Timely Payments: Timely payment of fees and charges outlined in the written agreement is the responsibility of care recipients, along with promptly addressing any payment-related concerns or issues.

Rights of Aged Home Care Providers

Care providers in aged care settings also have certain rights supporting them in effectively fulfilling their responsibilities. These rights include:

1. Confidentiality and Privacy: Caregivers have the right to confidentiality and privacy in all personal and professional matters related to their work.
2. Recognition as Contributors: They are entitled to be recognised as valuable contributors to the health and well-being of the care recipients by other healthcare professionals and stakeholders.
3. Respectful Treatment: Carers have the right to be heard and treated with respect by all parties involved in the care process, including clients, their families, and colleagues.
4. Non-Discrimination: Caregivers should be able to perform their duties without facing discrimination or prejudice based on factors such as gender, race, religion, or any other protected characteristic.
5. Complaints and Feedback: They can raise concerns, provide feedback, and complain to their organisation about the provided services or the care recipients if necessary.
6. Appeals: Care providers have the right to seek an appeal process if they disagree with any decisions or actions that may affect their work or professional responsibilities.

These rights create a supportive and respectful environment for care providers, enabling them to deliver high-quality care while ensuring their well-being and professional development.

Responsibilities of Care Providers in Aged Care

Care providers are responsible for respecting patients’ dignity and independence, promoting dignity and respect, supporting autonomy and decision-making, and involving care recipients in decisions about their care. Upholding these responsibilities contributes to the overall well-being and quality of life of the elderly receiving care.

1. Respecting the Dignity and Independence of Patients: Care providers must ensure that the people receiving aged care are treated respectfully. The aged care home should also ensure that the help is person-centred and supports the individual’s autonomy and choices.
2. Promoting Dignity and Respect in Aged Care Settings: Promoting dignity and respect involves creating a culture of compassion, empathy, and understanding towards the unique needs and preferences of elderly individuals receiving care, whether in-home or residential care.
3. Supporting Independence and Decision Making: Supporting the independence and decision-making ability of care recipients allows them to maintain control over their lives and participate in choices that directly impact their well-being in their daily lives.
4. Ensuring Consumer Rights and Involvement in Care Decisions: Carers have a duty to ensure that consumer rights are upheld, and care recipients actively make decisions about their care, treatment, and support services.

Why Choose Wise Choice In-Home Care

At Wise Choice, our core objective revolves around ensuring the happiness of individuals in the comfort of their homes. We believe your loved ones deserve to live with respect, dignity, and independence and hold their well-being in the highest regard. As part of our commitment to providing exceptional care, we take the rights and responsibilities outlined above very seriously.

If you would like to learn more about how we protect the rights and responsibilities of care recipients and care providers, or if you are interested in exploring our comprehensive range of services, please don’t hesitate to contact us today. We are here to assist you and provide your loved ones with the best care experience.