If you have an older loved one at home, you’re probably doing everything you can to keep them safe. It’s natural—we want to protect the people we care about from harm, hospital visits, or worse. But in our effort to shield them, are we inadvertently taking away their quality of life?
Risk-taking isn’t just about adventure—it’s about dignity, autonomy, and the right to make personal choices.
Our Aged Care Act and Quality Standards recognise this. When your loved one enters the care system, they have the right to make their own decisions—even when those decisions involve risk.
Dignity of Risk in Action
Take Mary, for example. She has always loved long solitary walks, finding peace and harmony in nature. But now, living in an aged care home, her balance, strength and mobility isn’t what it once was. She’s at greater risk of falling, and a fall could have serious consequences for Mary’s independence.
So what is the aged care homes responsibility to Mary?
In Mary’s case, aged care staff must help her understand and manage the risks, but they shouldn’t take away her independence. Instead of restricting her, they might suggest:
✅ Wearing a GPS watch with fall detection to alert staff if she falls.
✅ Using a walking stick or walker for support.
✅ Planning her walks during cooler parts of the day for comfort and safety.
Similarly, Ron faces a different dilemma. He has trouble swallowing, and his clinical team has determined that he should only eat steak if it’s blended. But Ron doesn’t want blended steak. Under the dignity of risk principle, he has the right to make that choice—as long as he and his family understand and accept the potential consequences.
While there may not be a perfect ‘rule book’ for what a provider will allow, the starting point should always be supporting the care recipient to live the life they choose, including taking risks.
Rights Not Being Upheld? Speak Up!
Risk-taking isn’t just for the young—it’s a key part of self-determination at every stage of life. Providing genuine choice enables dignity, autonomy, and sense of purpose.
If you believe your loved one’s rights aren’t being upheld, speak up. The aged care regulatory framework exists to hold providers accountable.
And if you need support in advocating for your loved one, I’m here to help.