Report on the Rights and Responsibilities of Domiciliary Care Clients

This report examines the rights and responsibilities of clients receiving domiciliary care, referencing the Charter of Care Recipients’ Rights and Responsibilities for Home Care. It details client rights, including dignified treatment, involvement in decision-making, access to information, privacy, cultural and religious considerations, complaint mechanisms, and fair fees. The report also outlines client responsibilities, such as respecting carers' rights, adhering to agreements, providing information, facilitating access, and paying fees. Key references include the Australian Government Department of Health, Carers ACT Australia, and Home Care Service of NSW, providing a comprehensive overview of the legal and ethical framework guiding home care services. The report emphasizes the importance of a balanced relationship between clients and providers to ensure quality care and client well-being.

Running head: DOMICILIARY CARE 1
RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF CLIENTS UNDER DOMICILIARY CARE
Name
Institution

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Introduction
The rights and responsibilities of clients under domiciliary care are guided by the Charter of
Care Recipients’ Rights and Responsibilities for Home Care (Australian Government
Department of Health, 2017). Also referred to as ‘The Charter’ it recognises all partners
involved in the client’s care and it spells out the measures that guide their participation and
interactions in the care process.
Rights
a) The right to receive dignified treatment
The client ought to be treated with respect and dignity regardless of his/her age, lifestyle,
culture, or language during all instances that they are receiving care and treatment. The
provider/carer ought to uphold the client’s dignity and also treat them with respect in all
encounters.
b) The client has the right to be involved in decision making
The client has the right to be involved in the process of deciding and choosing support that
best meets his needs (CentreCare, 2017). He/she should be consulted about his/her needs and
preferences. This means that the client can also accept or refuse assistance. This means that
the client plays an active role in deciding elements of his/her care and that any care or
treatment given should not be just imposed on them.
c) The right to get explanation about the services he/she receives.

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The provider should develop a written agreement between them and the client which spells
out what the client agrees with the service provider. This agreement should include a written
plan of the service that the client should receive/expect from the service provider.
d) The right to information
The client has the right to be served with information pertaining the care. He/she should be
helped in understanding any information that he or she is given. The client is generally
supposed to have access to information of the carer's service Act, including the services
provided, user rights, policies and procedures, and the procedures for channelling grievances
(Carers ACT Australia, 2015). Additionally, a client should also have access to information
on any alternative services which could be of assistance to him or her.
e) The right to privacy and confidentiality of the client’s personal information.
The service provider has a legal obligation of ensuring the protection and proper usage and
handling of the client’s personal information. The provider is expected to place a high value
on the right of the client to have his or her personal privacy protected. The provider should
have outlined policies and procedures which are in line with the National Privacy Principles
which regulate the collection, storage, security, use and disclosure of personal information
(Carers ACT Australia, 2015). The client has to give permission to the provider to store
his/her personal information for the purposes of guiding them in the provision of appropriate
services to the client. The provider is expected to take all reasonable steps in ensuring that the
client’s information is accurate, up-to-date, and stored securely and confidentially (Home
Care Service of NSW, 2014). The provider should always seek the client’s consent before
they disseminate the client’s information to any other organisation that may be seeking to
offer services to the client.

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f) The client has the right to receive care that takes into consideration their preferences in
dimensions of lifestyle, cultural, linguistic, and religious background.
The care plan arrived at between the provider and the client should take account of the
client’s lifestyle, linguistic, cultural and religious preferences in the provision of the services
(Home Care Service of NSW, 2014).
g) The client has the right to commenting and/or complaining about services provided
The provider has the obligation of giving the client information on how to comment or
complain about the services he or she receives. The client can do this without fearing that he
or she may lose the care or may be discriminated in any manner (Homecare Australia, 2016).
The complaints raised by the client ought to be investigated fairly and confidentially, and also
to have correct remedial measures taken to address the client’s raised issues.
h) The right to have the fees determined in a transparent, fair and accessible manner.
This also includes receiving clear and understandable invoices, and having the fees reviewed
periodically and upon the client’s request when there are changes in his or her financial
circumstances. The charter also states that the client cannot be denied services due to his or
her inability to pay a fee for reasons beyond their control (Australian Government
Department of Health, 2017).

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Responsibilities
a) Respect the rights of carers
Clients should respect the human, legal and workplace rights of the carers. This includes the
right to work in a secure environment. All carers ought to be treated without exploitation,
abuse, discrimination or harassment.
b) Abide by the terms and conditions of the written agreement.
It is the responsibility of the client to abide by the terms dictated in the agreement. He or she
is also expected to acknowledge the possibility of changes in his/her needs and as a result,
has the responsibility to negotiate for modifications of care and service (homecaretoday,
2017).
c) Communication with the provider
The recipient of the care has the responsibility of giving the provider enough information
which will facilitate the development, delivery and review of the care provided. The client
should be able to inform the provider of any problems pertaining to the care and services
(myagedcare, 2016). If the client also chooses to change the provider of the services, he or
she communicate beforehand.
d) Facilitating access
It is the responsibility of the client to allow safe and reasonable access to those providing the
services outlined in the care plan (Commonwealth of Pennyslyvania, 2005). The client should

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agree with the client about the services he will receive at any particular time and if he/she
wishes not to be provided with the services on a given day, he/she should provide reasonable
notice.
e) Payment of fees outlined as outlined in the written agreement.
It is the client’s responsibility to pay the fees stipulated in the agreement, and/or also
negotiate any alternative arrangements in the event of any changes in his/her financial
circumstances.

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References
Australian Government Department of Health. (2017, February). Charter of Care Recipients’
Rights and Responsibilities – Home Care . Canberra, Australia: Australian
Government Department of Health.
Carers ACT Australia. (2015). Your Rights and Responsibilities as a Client. Retrieved from
Carers ACT Australia: http://www.carersact.org.au/Assets/Files/rights-
responsibilities-client.pdf
CentreCare. (2017). Clients Rights and Responsibilities. Retrieved from CentreCare:
http://www.centrecare.com.au/about-us/clients-rights-and-responsibilities/
Commonwealth of Pennyslyvania. (2005). Domiciliary Care Services For Adults. In
Domiciliary Care (pp. 6-40). Pennyslvania: State of Pennyslyvania.
Home Care Service of NSW. (2014). Home Care Service client handbook. Sydney: Home
Care Service.
Homecare Australia. (2016, January 19). Client Rights and Responsibilities. Retrieved from
HomeCare Australia: http://www.homecareaustralia.com.au/homecare-australia-
blog/client-rights-and-responsibilities
homecaretoday. (2017). Your Rights and Responsibilities. Retrieved from Home Care Today:
https://homecaretoday.org.au/consumer/your-guide-to-new-choices-in-home-care/
your-rights-and-responsibilities

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myagedcare. (2016, April 14). Rights and responsibilities - home care. Retrieved from
myagedcare: https://www.myagedcare.gov.au/quality-and-complaints/quality-of-care-
and-consumer-rights/rights-and-responsibilities-home-care