As Australia’s aged care system continues to evolve, there are new ways to help you stay involved in decisions about your care. One of these changes is the introduction of the Registered Supporter role through My Aged Care.
What is a Registered Supporter?
A Registered Supporter is someone you choose to support you in your interactions on My Aged Care Service and Support Portal. It is completely your choice to register a supporter and who that person is, which is then confirmed by the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing, not by Bankstown City Aged Care.
The person you choose can help you understand information, communicate your preferences, receive important updates, and assist with administrative tasks. Their role is to support you, not to make decisions on your behalf.
There are three categories of supporter:
- Supporter – You have agreed that information about your care can be shared with this chosen person. The same information that we at Bankstown City Aged Care would share with you, for example, would also be shared with them.
- Supporter Lite – This person has been chosen, but you have not agreed to any information sharing. This registered supporter is allowed to ask questions on your behalf, but each query will be assessed by us as per your preferences of what information can be shared.
- Supporter Guardian – A person chosen for this role will have the legal authority to act for you. This includes a guardian, a court appointee, the holder of an enduring power of attorney or a restrictive practices substitute decision-maker. We will share information with this person as the law requires it and the registered supporter is to use the information in accordance with the duties under their legal authority.
Your Wishes and How They Guide Us
When selecting a registered supporter, the system puts emphasis on ensuring all parties act in accordance with your will and preferences. This means for what you want in present day, not just what your wishes were at the time of registering your supporter. At Bankstown City Aged Care, we understand wishes can change, and where they do, we will follow the most recent expression of them that we know about.
You Are Still in Charge and Can Change Your Mind
Even with a Registered Supporter, your choices remain the priority, and you can change your decision about information sharing at any time. You can choose what category of supporter, as well as how much or how little information you wish for them to receive. If you decide that you no longer want to have that person registered, then there would be certain steps to go through with the Department. No matter what you choose, you would still have complete autonomy over what you decide.