Published 20th August 2020
Guidance is available to help residential aged care providers and their staff communicate with families in the difficult situation of a resident testing positive for COVID-19.
All residential aged care facilities across the country are urged to prepare their communication system for a potential COVID-19 outbreak. This includes phoning the nominated representative for each resident in your facility to confirm you have their latest contact number(s) and email address.
It is important that nominated representatives understand their obligations to:
Ask if you can share their contact details with government authorities and the Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN). Note that their details will not be used for marketing, but strictly to facilitate assistance to the facility and it’s residents.
Read the full advice on preparing communications.
The Victorian Aged Care Response Centre (VACRC) has issued a statement providing an update on how it is coordinating and deploying resources across the state to protect senior Australians from COVID-19.
The VACRC consists of representatives from more than a dozen federal and state agencies, who are working together to address the unfolding situation in aged care facilities in Victoria.
The Response Centre’s preventive and critical response efforts remain focused on continuity of care for aged care residents, the safety and wellbeing of staff and residents, and increasing communication with residents’ families.
The statement with more details on the operational updates can be found here.
To reduce the spread of COVID-19, the South Australian State Coordinator has made a Direction under the Emergency Management Act 2004 to limit entry into residential aged care facilities in South Australia. This direction and accompanying FAQs can be found here.
The Direction protects residents, staff and others from the risk of transmission of COVID-19, while supporting the rights and wellbeing of residents and their families. The direction states:
You cannot enter a facility if:
From 27 August 2020, operators of Residential Aged Care Facilities (RACFs) need to implement a number of changes to the way that employees and contractors at their facilities work, including:
Dementia Support Australia (providers of DBMAS and SBRT) has developed advice to help aged care providers deliver the best possible support for people experiencing Behavioural and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia during this difficult time.
See: Restrictive practices: understanding and managing behaviours in a time of pandemic.
Dementia Support Australia continues to support all aged care services, whether your home or service is in lockdown or not. Dementia Support Australia’s consultants are still providing face to face visits, or phone or video conference consultations depending on your preference. Call their 24 hour service on 1800 699 799 or visit www.dementia.com.au.
It’s important that the health and aged care workforce feel well informed, safe, and educated during COVID-19. To help ensure people living with dementia receive high quality support, Dementia Training Australia has produced two new resources:
Dementia Training Australia is funded by the Australian Government.
Source:Unknown Author, 2020, Department of Health
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