Information for the General Public

“Australia: Inquiry into Rule Putting Older People at Risk”

August 19, 2010 – Press Release

In April 2019, a new rule was introduced by the Australian government to regulate the use of physical and chemical restraints, allowing nursing homes to overmedicate and restrain older people. As part of a combined group to address the legislation, Capacity Australia addressed the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights in August 2019 who held a hearing on human rights concerns relating to the new rule.

Capacity Australia, along with ADA Australia, Capacity Australia, Dementia Alliance International, and Human Rights Watch recommended that authorities, instead of regulating the use of medical intervention should rule that it only takes place with free and information consent and “that medications are administered only for therapeutic purposes”.

Source: Human Rights Watch (2019, August 19). Australia: Inquiry into Rule Putting Older People at Risk Press release

“Stronger Restraint Regulations to Protect Senior Australians”

March 30, 2019 – Press Release

A release on the regulatory changes including chemical and physical restraints intended to be signed into law and apply from 1 July 2019 when new Aged Care Quality Standards will come into full force. These new conditions include approved health practitioner (physical restraint) and medical practitioner or nurse practitioner (chemical restraint) assessments before restraints can be used, requirement of informed consent in non-emergency situations and documentation of alternative options to restraint that have been used.

Source: The Hon Ken Wyatt AM, MP (2019, February 25). Action on Aged Care for LGBTI Senior Australians. Press release.

“Aged care homes facing new rules on restraints as Federal Government unveils crackdown”

March 30, 2019 – News Article

News update covering the Federal Governments move to “to enforce stronger regulations limiting the use of physical and chemical restraints on residents in aged care homes.”

Source: ABC News (2019, March 30). Aged care homes facing new rules on restraints as Federal Government unveils crackdown. https://www.abc.net.au. Article.

“Action on Aged Care for LGBTI Senior Australians”

February 25, 2019 – Press Release

The Morrison Government has released the Aged Care Diversity Action Plan for senior LGBTI Australians to help address the specific barriers and challenges they face in accessing aged care services. This is in alignment with the Empowered Essential Fact #9 Recognising there is diversity in dementia and modifying care appropriately.

More information about the action plan and the Government’s Aged Care Diversity Framework can be found at: http://www.health.gov.au/internet/ministers/publishing.nsf/Content/health-mediarel-yr2019-wyatt033.htm

“Aged Care Restraint Regulation to Protect Senior Australians”

January 17, 2019 – Press Release

Media Release from The Hon Ken Wyatt AM, MP Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care addressing improved regulation of chemical and physical restraint in aged care homes.

Source: The Hon Ken Wyatt AM, MP (2019, January 17). Aged Care Restraint Regulation to Protect Senior Australians. News release.

“Nursing homes turning residents into ‘zombies’, aged care royal commission to hear.”

January 15, 2019 – News Article

News article addressing the upcoming royal commission into the aged care sector, examining the unnecessary use of sedative medication.

Source: Martin, L (2019, January 15). Nursing homes turning residents into ‘zombies’, aged care royal commission to hear. https://www.theguardian.com/au. Article.

“Needless treatments: antipsychotic drugs are rarely effective in ‘calming’ dementia patients.”

September 18, 2018 – Article

Source: Westbury, J and Peisah, C (2018, September 18). Needless treatments: antipsychotic drugs are rarely effective in ‘calming’ dementia patients. https://www.theconverstaion.com The Conversation. Article.

“Why Are Nursing Homes Drugging Dementia Patients Without Their Consent?.”

August 13, 2018 – News Article

Source: Flamm, H (2018, August 13). Why Are Nursing Homes Drugging Dementia Patients Without Their Consent?. https://www.hrw.org. Human Rights Watch. Article.

Empowered Community Pamphlet

Community Pamphlet

Empowering People with Dementia Webinar

Webinar