Aged Rights Advocacy Service (ARAS) Inc is a statewide, not-for-profit, independent and community-based organisation that has been providing information, education and advocacy support to older people across South Australia since 1990.
ARAS is funded by the Retirement Villages Unit of Office for Ageing Well, SA Health, to provide free support services to residents of retirement villages. This enables residents to be informed of their rights, and how to raise their concerns with retirement village management in accordance with the Retirement Villages Act 2016 and the Retirement Villages Regulations 2017.
ARAS may assist on issues and concerns including:
- fees (ongoing and exit);
- maintenance;
- contractual queries;
- disputes with retirement village management;
- disputes or issues amongst residents; and
- complaints process.
ARAS Advocates work with retirement village residents to:
- address issues directly with retirement village management;
- assist with mediation conducted through the Retirement Villages Unit, Office for Ageing Well, SA Health;
- assist with the application process to the South Australian Civil Administrative Tribunal (SACAT); and
- provide support in matters that are referred to SACAT.
Residents may prefer to self-advocate i.e. to speak on their own behalf in order to resolve concerns. An ARAS Advocate can assist in preparation for self-advocacy and to outline various options and strategies ahead of a SACAT hearing. Whilst ARAS Advocates are not lawyers, they do have a very good understanding of the relevant legislation and can also refer residents to legal services if required.
ARAS delivers the Safeguards for Ageing Well program, supported by Office for Ageing Well, SA Health. Learn more about this program on ARAS’s website and search “Safeguards for Ageing Well”.
ARAS also delivers education sessions on elder abuse prevention and, if residents are receiving home care services (My Aged Care), information can be provided on their aged care rights. This is funded by the Australian Government, Department of Health, and National Aged Care Advocacy Program via Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN).
To learn more about Retirement Village advocacy and how it can assist with your concerns, watch an informational video on ARAS’ website.
To request an education session at your retirement village, please contact ARAS on (08) 8232 5377 or send an email.