Published 22nd July 2020
The Australian and Victorian Governments, in collaboration with representatives from the aged care sector, have announced additional measures to ensure aged care providers are equipped to minimise the spread of COVID-19, while continuing to provide quality care. This includes specific support to reduce the need for aged care workers to provide care across multiple aged care facilities. The measures being introduced include:
Further details on these measures will be provided to the aged care sector shortly.
As COVID-19 outbreaks in Victoria and now in NSW continue to emerge, it is crucial that all home care service providers maintain vigilance to prevent the introduction of COVID-19 into their services.
Given the current risk of COVID-19 now in the community, NSW Health recommends the implementation of the following measures:
Read Dr Kerry Chant’s letter to in-home care providers here.
The Australian Government is prioritising Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) distribution from the National Medical Stockpile to aged care services that are most in need.
To ensure PPE from the National Medical Stockpile is effectively prioritised on a needs-basis, providers are being asked to complete a new Aged Care PPE Request Form. This form will be sent to you via email after an initial inquiry is made via the email address.
Providers will be asked a number of questions relating to their PPE needs, including staff numbers (or home client visits per day), number of care recipients, PPE supplies on hands, and PPE requirements. It is recommended someone with an appropriate level of operational knowledge complete the form.
If you have a confirmed or suspected case of COVID-19, a case manager will work with you on your PPE requirements.
At this stage, generally only masks are being distributed to residential and in home aged care services who are in a priority category.
A priority category is a residential or in home aged care service who:
Providers should also continue to try to source the PPE through suppliers while awaiting a response. Providers need to establish an ongoing general PPE supply.
In the absence of a vaccine for COVID-19, preventing exposure is the single most important step that any of us can take to protect ourselves and others from contracting this virus.
Providers should be undertaking routine screening of staff and visitors on entry irrespective of size or location. It is especially important for residential services located in communities (and/or drawing their staff from communities) where there is a local cluster of people with confirmed or suspected COVID-19, or which are considered to be at higher risk of an outbreak.
Entry screening advice for residential aged care facilities can be found here.
FREE Webinar: Caring for people living with dementia during COVID-19 restrictions on Wednesday 22 July 2020, 3:00pm-4:00pm
We encourage people working in aged care to watch this webinar to learn about how to provide safe care for older people with dementia during COVID-19 restrictions. Older people receiving aged care, their families, friends and representatives are also encouraged to watch. The webinar hosted by Dementia Australia and the Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN) will cover:
For more information and to register click here.
A reminder that anyone living in an aged care facility, their family or representative who needs support can contact the Older Person’s Advocacy Network on 1800 700 600.
OPAN can connect care recipients and their families to its national network of nine state and territory organisations. OPAN’s free services are supporting older people and their representatives during COVID-19. OPAN can also be of assistance to aged care providers during COVID-19 by assisting in communication with people living in the facility, their families and representatives and by providing an independent person outside the organisation to whom they can speak.
Older Australians, their families, friends and carers can also call the COVID-19 Support Line on 1800 171 866 if they:
This service is operated by community organisations COTA Australia, National Seniors, Dementia Australia and OPAN with support from the Australian Government.
The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission has also offered suggestions on how older Australians in residential aged care can stay connected to their loved ones during the COVID-19 pandemic. Examples of innovative ways for older Australians to stay in touch with their family and friends can be found here.
Source:Unknown Author, 2020, Department of Health
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