ciety must applaud the aged ‘Feros Warriors’ and their families and supporters in demanding their human rights. The decision to sack the current management (which has been acting with unconscionable and incalculable cruelty) has breached the Human Rights Act, and must never be tolerated by any community. Also, the effort of independent journalists such as The Echo and The Saturday Paper must be applauded. The recent scathing article by Rick Morton in The Saturday Paper (August 19–25) on the deep fractures within aged care, reveal a broken system in relation to regulations and lack thereof. Intense research into aged human rights can, at this stage, be the total foundational focus to aid Feros residents in implementing a solid and caring future. It will also aid activists. The Human Rights Commissioner, Rosalind Croucher, is aware of the plight of Feros folk. There are recently ratified human rights for the aged. The aged charter articulates the following.
1. Safe and high-quality care and services, 2. Treated with dignity and respect, 3. Have my identity, culture and diversity valued and supported, 4. Live without abuse and neglect, 5. Be informed about my care and services in a way I understand, 6. Access all information about myself, including information about my rights, care and services, 7. Have control and make choices about my care and personal and social life, including where the choices involve personal risk, 8. Have control over, and make decisions about, the personal aspects of my daily life, financial affairs and possibilities, 9. My independence 10. Be listened to and understood, 11. Have a person of my choice, including an aged care advocate, support me or speak on my behalf, 12. Complain free from reprisal, and to have my complaints dealt fairly and promptly, 13. Personal privacy and to have my personal information protected, 14. Exercise my rights without it adversely affecting the way I am treated.
Furthermore, within the general literature of responsibilities it is noted that all management must be familiar with, and implement the Human Rights Charter. This charter must be offered to incoming residents and a shared agreement signed (or refused). Did management conform to this requirement? If not, why not? A fresh autonomous start seems the only way forward to ensure a democratic, civil society that upholds human rights. And of course we (the community) would love to know who the consortium of developers are that influenced management? Do the aged really need ‘edgy development’? Transparency please.
Rosalind Croucher also exercises legal power over general aged care legalities Email contact [email protected]
