Combined Pensioners

12/06/2026

As an older person receiving government-funded aged care - you have rights. The Statement of Rights, which is included in the Act, gives you the right to speak up, to be treated with respect, and to make choices about your aged care. Providers and aged care workers are legally obliged to deliver services in line with these rights.

OPAN has created a checklist of practical considerations and questions to ask throughout your experience with residential aged care.

Access the poster on our resources page https://opan.org.au/information/opan-resources/

08/06/2026

If you're an older person receiving government-funded aged care, the new Aged Care Act covers your rights to make choices and be treated with dignity. One of the most important rights you have is autonomy and freedom of choice with service providers and others.

Not sure your rights are being upheld?

Check out Older Persons Advocacy Network's Statement of Rights: opan.org.au/toolkit/statement-of-rights

Or call: 1800 700 600

The content on this page has been updated to align with the new Aged Care Act, which came into effect 1 November 2025. Older people receiving government-funded aged care – either in their own home or in an aged care home – have rights. Enshrined in the Statement of Rights, for example, is your r...

05/06/2026

Join us for ARAS’ 19th World Elder Abuse Awareness Day Forum, “Empower, Prevent, Protect: A Rights-Based Approach to Elder Abuse."

03/06/2026

Our support of the RBI Alliance campaign to keep regional banks open continues to get news coverage, including in QLD:

Dive into our extensive resources on the topic that interests you. It's like a masterclass to be explored at your own pace.

01/06/2026

When something goes wrong in aged care, speaking up can be a powerful way for older people to maintain control over their lives.  Complaints are a critical mechanism for protecting the rights, safety and wellbeing of older people. The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission is the nati...

31/05/2026

Digital exclusion impacts older Australians, especially those living in rural and regional areas.

Information about how this affects communities is an important first step to addressing the problem.

Did you know you can check mobile and broadband access in your region using the NSW Digital Connectivity Index?

https://www.nsw.gov.au/departments-and-agencies/nsw-telco-authority/connectivity-leadership/nsw-digital-connectivity-index?utm_source=nswgovt_business&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=2026-05-21_sfmc_1960_may_bus_newsletter&utm_content=01_connectivity_index_zz&utm_term=check_suburbs_score_button

28/05/2026

Last week we were at a Cost of Living hub in Marrickville, sharing info with the community and connecting with like-minded organisations.

https://cpsa.org.au/article/cpsa-attends-cost-of-living-hub/

27/05/2026

Emma Thompson among voices supporting anti-ageism campaign, which has uncovered striking findings in top-grossing UK films over past three years

26/05/2026

New research from the University of Queensland shows that culturally safe pharmacy services can significantly reduce medication harm for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. The solution isn't complicated, it's about building trust, access, and cultural respect.

Read the full article by Jean Spinks and others in the April edition of The Voice, first published in The Conversation:

https://theconversation.com/she-made-us-feel-comfortable-how-trusting-and-safe-pharmacy-services-improve-first-nations-health-256697

Or read our version in the Voice:https://cpsa.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/the-voice-2026-apr.pdf

First Nations people were more likely to feel confident about their medication – and to take it – when they had advice tailored to them. And their health improved.

21/05/2026

We often think of housing as a source of security later in life. For many older women in NSW, that is not the case.

The Older Women's Network NSW reports that 16% of Australians aged 50–64 are now in private rental, which can be insecure, expensive, and challenging when on a fixed income.

What’s more, the number of older women experiencing homelessness rose by 44% between 2006 and 2016.

Find out more: https://ownnsw.org.au/

Read their full piece in the April Voice.

https://cpsa.org.au/the-voice-monthly-magazine/all-editions/

The Older Women's Network NSW has been promoting the rights, dignity and wellbeing of older women for over 32 years. We have 17 community groups operating across NSW.