Published 1st October 2020
Emergency leave for aged care residents has been extended until 30 June 2021. This will allow aged care residents to continue to take emergency leave during the COVID-19 pandemic, rather than using and potentially exhausting their social leave entitlements. This will provide greater certainty to residents who have temporarily relocated to stay with family during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Residential aged care facilities will continue to be paid the residential care subsidy when residents are on emergency leave, ensuring neither residents nor providers are disadvantaged.
Tier 1 clinical support is available for residents who temporarily relocate from an aged care facility that is significantly impacted by COVID-19. This support covers personal care and nursing services equivalent to a Level 4 Home Care Package. To access this support, residents or their family can contact the Older Persons Advocacy Network on 1800 700 600.
Tier 2 Entry-level services are available for all people who decide to temporarily return to the community from their aged care home during the pandemic. This support covers meals, transport, individual social support, unaccompanied shopping, allied health and therapy services, and lower level nursing and personal care. To access this support, residents or their family can contact My Aged Care on 1800 200 422.
Further information is available:
As part of the Australian Government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the assessment and referral pathways for the CHSP were relaxed to enable older Australians to access emergency CHSP services for up to eight weeks without an assessment. This was previously extended to 31 October 2020.
As the situation with the COVID-19 pandemic is at various stages throughout the country, these arrangements have been extended to 30 June 2021. During this period, access to CHSP service may be provided to older Australians in COVID-19 affected areas without an aged care assessment where there remains an urgent need.
CHSP providers who have delivered emergency COVID-19 support to clients for eight weeks without an aged care assessment, and where the client requires ongoing services, must now support these clients to be assessed by a Regional Assessment Service.
It is a requirement that all clients in receipt of services are registered with My Aged Care, regardless of whether they have received an aged care assessment.
For more information about eligibility for emergency access to CHSP services please see Section 4.4.1 of the CHSP Program Manual 2020-2022.
COVID-19 restrictions have eased in Queensland. From 25 September 2020, there are no Local Government Areas listed as Queensland COVID-19 restricted areas. Further information is available from Queensland Health.
You should continue to keep up to date and regularly review your state and territory government directives.
There are no specific restrictions for people over 70 about self-isolating or staying home in NSW. Seniors can choose when and where to go out, or have visitors. However, people over 70 can have more severe symptoms if they contract COVID-19. NSW Health has developed top tips for safe gatherings for seniors.
For information specific to seniors, visit the NSW Government’s COVID-19 advice for seniors page or call the National COVID-19 older persons information line on 1800 171 866.
Source:Unknown Author, 2020, Department of Health
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