Topics in this section:

ARAS Presentation
What ARAS Does
How ARAS Advocates

ARAS provides information and assistance to support the rights of older people who receive HACC services, Residential Care services, or are at risk of/being abused. ARAS is mandated to provide a free, confidential, independent and state-wide service to our clients and their representatives. ARAS recognises the important role of significant others, including families, in supporting and upholding the rights of older people.

The ARAS client

The ARAS advocate will work directly with permission of the older person who is able to make their own decisions and express their wishes.

When an older person is unable to express their wishes the advocate will take steps to identify all significant others relating to the older person including family and friends. The ARAS advocate will work with the representative of the older person when they are seen to be acting in the older person's best interests.

What will happen when you ring ARAS

The ARAS advocate will listen and ask questions in order to clarify the specific issues of concern. They will provide accurate information about the rights of the older person and strategies to resolve the problem. The advocate will discuss any negative consequences that may arise from a particular action. The advocate will only proceed if the older person or their representative gives permission.

The older person may choose to speak for themselves or prefer their representative or an ARAS advocate to speak on their behalf. They will be consulted and kept fully informed during the advocacy process. The association with ARAS is continuous until the issues are resolved.

If ARAS is unable to resolve the older persons concerns, the advocate will provide information and referral to services which can.

Points to consider

• The advocate will follow clear procedures re working with the older person and/or their representative.
• The advocate will assist the older person to express their wishes.
• The older person chooses who will be their representative.
• When there is conflict between representatives, the best interests of the older person, their previously expressed and present wishes will determine what happens.
• When the older person's best interests are at risk, ARAS will refer to more formal means to resolve conflict and ensure that the older person's rights are safeguarded.

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