Home And Community Care (HACC) services are available to older people living in their own home if they have difficulty coping without assistance.

Referral and Assessment

A person who needs assistance can ring a HACC service directly or another person can ring on their behalf. The service will do an assesment and will discuss what services would be most appropriate.

Call the Department of Health and Ageing 1800 200 422 for more information.

Cost

There is usually a fee payable, this is discussed and

negotiated with the service provider.

Rights and Responsibilities

Recipients of HACC services have Rights and Responsibilities.

Some rights include:

• Being treated with dignity and respect
• Receiving pleasant, reliable and punctual service
• Being able to have input into how the service is delivered
• Receiving a service that is culturally sensitive and non-discriminatory
• Private, safe and secure service
• Prompt answers to complaints
• Confidentiality
• The right to view your records

Responsibilities include:

• Treating staff with dignity and respect
• Keeping a safe working environment for staff, that complies with Occupational Health and Safety requirements
• Paying the fees agreed on; advising the service if you can no longer pay what amount

Code of Conduct

The NSW Department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care has a Code of Conduct with which HACC services need to comply. The Code prevents the service and its staff from assisting you in any legal or financial matters, for instance:

• Operating your bank account unless you give proper authority
• Acting as power of attorney
• Acting as executor of your estate
• Signing credit cards
• Offering financial advice
• Offering to buy something you own
• Accepting loans or gifts, including benefiting from your will

TARS education

TARS educators are available to provide education to recipients and providers of Home and Community Care (HACC) services o the rights of a HACC service recipient.

To discuss education on the rights of recipients of HACC services, call our office on (02) 9281 3600 or 1800 424 079 for country callers.

Complaints about HACC Services

Complaints should be directed to the Department of Health and Ageing 1800 200 422.