Lorraine Tye's husband, Ron, lives with dementia.
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When he first went into residential care in regional NSW, she had concerns about the quality of care.
"He was locked out in the garden one time I went to visit him - it was the middle of winter - and he started to look unkempt," she said.
"The manager used to say, 'Now, now Lorraine, this is what happens. You are not coping'."
Lorraine was hesitant about raising her concerns.
"I was petrified they would say you have to take him home and I knew I couldn't cope," she said.
But after learning about her rights, Lorraine has become a powerful advocate for herself and Ron.
"You are a carer before they go into care. That doesn't stop. You still have to watch out for them.
"I don't want to be difficult. But I do want Ron's rights to be heard."
The Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN) said understanding what you can reasonably expect from your aged care provider allows you to speak up for yourself or someone you care for.
Its self-advocacy toolkit, which is easy to use, equips you with the skills and information you need for better aged care.
The toolkit is available online or as a free printed booklet version.
Most service providers want to know what they can do better. There are simple steps you can take to raise a concern or make an effective complaint.
Call 1800-700-600 or click here for more information.
