www.10questions.org.au It’S youR RIght to ASk

1 This leaflet is part of a series written by nurses, doctors and experts with experience in aged care. The series aims to make your journey into residential aged care easier. Look for other leaflets on questions to ask about specific care needs. These can be downloaded at: You may find these leaflets useful when: It's your RIght to ask Searching for a high quality residential aged 10. care facility Reviewing the quality of your current residential aged care facility The best way to find a residential aged care Deciding between two residential aged care facility that suits you is to visit a few.

2 Questions facilities that appear similar. To find your local ones, or for more By law, residential aged care facilities are not information about aged care services contact required to have registered nurses so it's important to ask the RIght questions if you My Aged Care need nursing care. 1800 200 422. Many staff wear similar uniforms. Just because for Aboriginal someone looks like a nurse does not mean they are. Here are the differences: & Torres Strait A Registered Nurse (RN) has undertaken This leaflet has been developed and endorsed by: Islanders to ask a minimum three-year Bachelor of Nursing course.

3 They can undertake nursing CMYK: C98 M0 Y59 K0. when seeking procedures, manage pain medication and help prevent unnecessary hospital admissions. PMS 3285. residential An Enrolled Nurse (EN) works under aged care the direction of an RN. Both are licensed by a regulatory body. Licensing ensures professional standards are maintained and protects the public. For a full list of supporting organisations please visit Special thanks to the Fairfield Liverpool Elders Assistants in Nursing (AIN)/Care Workers/ and the Aboriginal community in the Blacktown/.

4 Nepean area for their help in developing this leaflet. Care Service Employees (CSE) are If you have concerns about a residential aged care facility contact: unlicensed. They provide most of the care in residential facilities and community but their level of training is variable. 1800 550 552. 4. You may find it helpful to speak to your local How will you support me to enjoy your needs and any changes to your care. Elders Council, Land Council or Aboriginal social activities that connect me to Look around to see if there is plenty of outdoor Medical Service as a starting point when my culture?

5 Garden space to relax, cook and chat freely. 8. choosing which homes to view. Word of mouth You should have control over how you is also important so ask around in your local express your culture and identity. Check if the food, How will I be supported if I get ill/. community. Check if there is a Reconciliation music and TV you enjoy is available and how staff at end of life**? Action Plan (RAP) in place. Having a RAP support activities and daily routines. Check if you Check if family from the Country can doesn't mean one home is better than another.

6 Have to pay for transport and staff to accompany stay in your room with you when you However it shows they recognise inequalities in you to/from activities*. If it is important to you, ask are sick and how many can visit/stay at a time. the care and treatment of Aboriginal and Torres if events such as NAIDOC week, Mabo Day and Check what experience they have with helping Strait Islander Peoples and are taking action to National Sorry Day are celebrated. people to return to Country. The Aboriginal Land Council may be able to assist with 5.

7 Try and make things better. How will you support my funeral costs so make sure staff have specific 1. How many Aboriginal/Torres Strait cultural identity? knowledge about what help is available to you. 9. Islander Peoples live here already? Your culture and beliefs should be respected and you should remain an Is there a regular GP who visits? It may help if people who may share active part of your community if you want to. There may not be a local GP who can your language, cultural values and life Check how you can be supported to spend travel to you so telehealth may be used.

8 Experiences (including possible past traumatic time outdoors and within your community, and This allows GPs to see you online to events) already live there. You don't have to be how they support you to maintain your spiritual make a diagnosis. In these circumstances GPs friends with everyone, but you should still be able wellbeing. Look around for artwork, pictures rely heavily on registered nurses to carry out their to relax in a supportive environment. recommended treatment, so it is important to 2. and objects that acknowledge your culture.

9 Are any Aboriginal/Torres Strait make sure nurses are on site at all times. Check 6. Islander workers currently employed? What outings are arranged? if the GP that visits is accredited to do Close the There should be meaningful attempts Check if activities you enjoy are Gap for prescriptions. 10. to employ Aboriginal and Torres Strait arranged and if transport and staff are provided if needed. There may be How will my healthcare needs Islander Peoples. Check how many are already an extra charge for this so it's worth checking be met?

10 Employed and how recruitment policies ensure first. You may be younger and more active than Specialist treatment may be more are supported to work there. Having staff other people in the home, so check that they several hours away so check what who may share your cultural values and lived are used to supporting people to go out. help you get with transport costs and any charges experiences may help you feel settled. if you need a staff member to go with you. Some 3 7. Do you provide ongoing cultural How can you support contact with homes don't provide 24 hour nursing care so you safety training to staff?