On admission a comprehensive document, written with respect to the Aged Care Act 1997, will be given to the resident and their representative(s) to be signed. As with any document, we suggest it should be sighted by a Legal Advisor and all parties bound by the Agreement are required to sign after 14 (fourteen) days from admission.

Residents’ Rights and Responsibilities

A Charter of Residents’ Rights and Responsibilities has been developed by the Department of Health and Ageing, and this is outlined below. Staff at Berlasco Court are familiar with this Charter and every effort is made to adhere to the principles contained in it.

Each resident of Berlasco Court has the RIGHT:-

- To quality care which is appropriate to his or her needs;

- To full information about his or her own state of health, medication, diagnosis, investigations and financial liability when using our facilities;

- To be treated with dignity and respect, and to live without exploitation, abuse or neglect;

- To live without discrimination or victimisation;

- To personal privacy;

- To respect the rights and needs of other people within Berlasco Court and to respect the needs of our community as a whole;

- To respect the right of staff and management to work in an environment which is free from harassment;

- For his or her own health and well being, as far as he or she is capable;

- To inform his or her Medical Practitioner, as far as he or she is able, about his or her relevant medical history and his or her current state of health;

- To live in a safe, secure environment, and to move freely both within and outside the Facility without undue restriction;

- To be treated and accepted as an individual. Each resident’s individual preferences are to be taken into account and treated with respect;

- To continue his or her cultural and religious practices and to retain the language of his or her choice, without discrimination;

- To select and maintain social and personal relationships with any other person without fear, criticism or restriction;

- To freedom of speech;

- To maintain his or her personal independence, which includes a recognition of personal responsibility for his or her own actions and choices. Some actions may involve an element of risk which the resident has the right to accept, and which should then not be used to prevent or restrict those actions, aspects of his or her daily life, his or her financial affairs or his or her possessions;

- To be involved in the activities, associations and friendships of his or her choice, both within and outside the Facility;

- To have access to services and activities which are available generally in the community;

- To be consulted on, and to choose to have input into, decisions about the living arrangements of Berlasco Court;

- To have access to information about his or her rights, care, accommodation, and any other information which relates to him or her personally; and

- To complain and to take action to resolve disputes, and to have access to advocates and other avenues of redress. Reprisal in any form shall not be made against any resident who takes action to enforce his or her rights.

(Adapted from the Department of Health, Housing and Community Services’ Charter of Residents’ Rights and Responsibilities)