Under the new Act, older people will be able to nominate and register one or more people of their choice to assist them in their decision-making. In exceptional circumstances, a supporter can be registered to make decisions on behalf of an older person.
What can supporters do?
Supporters will be able to request, access or receive information, and assist the older person in communicating information and decisions.
Supporter duties
Supporters will have to follow a set of duties. For example, supporters will have to:
- find out the wishes of the person they are supporting
- act in a manner that promotes the older person’s personal, cultural and social wellbeing
- strive to maintain the person’s capacity to make their own decisions.
For more information on supported decision-making visit A rights-based new Aged Care System.
