The Aged-care Rights Service
The Aged-care Rights Service (TARS) is an advocacy service for older residents of nursing homes, hostels and retirement villages and people receiving Community Aged Care Packages.
TARS promotes and protects the legal rights of each person;
- to be regarded as a unique and valued individual,
- to have their beliefs values and wishes respected,
- to make informed decisions about their life,
- and be consulted about matters that will effect their quality of life.
We provide education and casework to help people understand and exercise their rights.
Our staff is courteous, professional and committed. We have a complaints policy and procedure to ensure our services are accessible, flexible and confidential.
Our Services
- We help individual residents, carers, family members and groups.
- We run education programs to educate about their rights and to explain the aged-care system.
- We give information and legal advice so people can exercise their rights or deal more effectively with the aged care system.
- We refer people to other organisations that may be able to help them.
- We advocate and negotiate on behalf of people and help them to resolve issues or disputes.
- We represent people and advocate on their behalf at tribunals and hearings.
- We help people to make formal complaints through the Commonwealth Complaints Resolution scheme.
- In addition to this work TARS also represents the rights and best interests of consumers in various government and industry forums by developing policy recommendations to advocate for improvements to the aged care system.
What is Advocacy?
Advocacy is a process of speaking up for a person or representing a cause for a group of people. TARS’ expert advisors and advocates will work through this process with each client who calls us;
Step 1. When you call TARS, we will listen to you and assess the best staff member to deal with the issue.
Step 2. That person will either clarify your situation at this time or return your call at an agreed time.
Step 3. We will identify the key points of the situation.
Step 4. TARS will identify what you want to do.
Step 5. WE will provide you the information you need (by phone, fax, mail or e-mail).
Step 6. TARS will discuss possible actions with you.
Step 7. We will discuss the possible results of those actions.
Step 8. TARS will help you with an agreed action plan, and we will only act on your instruction.
You have the right:
- to quality care in a safe and secure home environment.
- to privacy, dignity and respect.
- to express your individuality and independence.
- to get information, the right to choose, and the right to make a complaint.
For more details see the Charter of Residents’ Rights and Responsibilities the Aged Care Act 1997.
Just because a person has difficulty exercising their rights does not mean they no longer apply. If you, or someone you know is being denied these rights, TARS can help.
How to contact TARS
For free and confidential advice, to ask for printed information about the aged care system, to make a general inquiry, or to arrange for one of our experienced staff to call you, just phone 02 9281 3600. NSW country callers can phone toll-free 1800 424 079.
Level 4, 418a Elizabeth Street
Surry Hills NSW 2010
Fax: (02) 9281 3672
Webiste: www.tars.com.au
Email: tars@tars.com.auTARS is a community based organisation funded by the Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing, the Attorney General’s Department and the NSW State Department of Fair Trading and Department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care.
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