What is Advocacy? - Formal vs Informal Advocacy

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What is an Advocate
Formal vs Informal

Formal vs Informal Advocacy

Formal advocacy

• usually involves long-term, personal relationships
• advocates are appointed under various pieces of legislation and include guardians, financial managers and attorneys and
• may be appointed indefinitely in the case of persons considered to be incapable of giving consent to decisions, as in the case of dementia

Informal advocacy

• an advocate has no legal power to act on the older persons behalf
• the advocates role includes the provision of support necessary to seek redress in any dispute
• act on the client's behalf, but decisions are made by the client. If the client is incapable of expressing his/her wishes, the informal advocate may act on the wishes of the guardian or other formal advocate

The advocacy agencies funded by the Residential Aged Care Advocacy Services Program provide informal advocacy.

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