HAVING choice and control, and the ability to stay as independent as long as possible, is vital when you finally need to access support and care through an aged care service.
While current and future reforms allow people to have more choice and flexibility as they use services, COTA Australia, through a new project, is investigating to what extent consumers have real choice and control and how this can be strengthened.
David White, the project manager, says, "we are currently in phase one of the project. We have been going around Australia talking with consumers and carers about their experiences of having choice, what information they need to have choice and to what extent they are being engaged in activities such as co-design and coproduction".
As part of phase one, the project is offering consumers and carers (e.g. relatives, partners or friends) of aged care services the opportunity to win one of two Apple iPads if they participate in an online survey. To find out how to participate in the survey go to the COTA Australia website or click on the link below.
To complete the survey CLICK HERE
"The feedback we have received about the project so far has been tremendous - people are really excited about what might be achieved and are keen to be involved," says David White.
Phase two of the project will see the development of co-design groups, which will comprise of consumers, carers and services. These groups will assist COTA Australia to develop innovative project solutions to address the concerns or gaps that have been identified in the earlier stage of the project.
COTA Australia will then work with the co-design groups to implement the solutions.
To find out more about the project or to participate in the survey go to www.cota.org.au
This survey will run from the October 30 to December 10.
