I have the right to be treated with dignity and respect and to live free from any form of discrimination. I make decisions about my care and services, with support when I want or need it. My identity, culture and diversity are valued and supported, and I have the right to live the life I choose. My provider understands who I am and what is important to me, and this determines the way my care and services are delivered.
-Expectation statement for older people
What is the intent?
Quality Standard 1 is the basis for care and service delivery across all Standards. It applies to all registered providers.
Standard 1 underpins the way you and your staff should treat older people. It explains how important it is for you to understand that each older person is unique and has a different life story.
Standard 1 reflects important concepts about:
- dignity and respect
- older person individuality and diversity
- independence
- choice and control
- culturally safe care*
- dignity of risk*.
These are all important in fostering a sense of:
- safety
- autonomy
- inclusion
- quality of life* for older people.
Older people are valuable members of society, with rich and varied histories, characteristics, identities, interests and life experiences.
Older people can come from a diverse range of backgrounds and groups, including, but not limited to:
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
- people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds
- people living in rural or remote areas
- people who are financially or socially disadvantaged
- people who are veterans
- people experiencing homelessness or at risk of becoming homeless
- people who are care leavers (a person who spent time in care as a child)
- parents separated from their children by forced adoption or removal
- people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or intersex
- people of various religions
- people experiencing mental health* problems and mental illness*
- people living with cognitive impairment* including dementia*
- people living with disability.
A person’s diversity* does not define who they are, but it is critical that providers recognise and embrace each person’s diversity* and who they are holistically as a person, and that this drives how providers and workers engage with older people and deliver their care and services.
