Protecting Older Australians: COVID-19 update 4 November 2020

Published 5th November 2020

Grief and trauma webinars for the aged care community

Phoenix Australia, one of the organisations delivering trauma support to the aged care sector is hosting a free webinar to explore how trauma may affect residents, families, staff and management, and how it can impact delivery of care.

A panel of trauma experts from Phoenix Australia will discuss:

• How to identify and manage potential sources of trauma
• How trauma-informed care practices can better support residents, their families, and staff

When: 4:00-5:00pm (AEDT), Wednesday 11 November 2020

Speakers

• Nicole Sadler, Head, Policy and Practice, Phoenix Australia
• Jane Nursey, Director, Clinical Services, Phoenix Australia
• Anne-Laure Couineau, Director, Policy & Service Development, Phoenix Australia
• Dr Richard Bonwick, Psychiatrist

Please feel free to forward this invitation to your colleagues. You can find more information and register here.

The webinar will be made available online afterwards for anyone who cannot attend on the day.

For those who missed it, last week’s Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN) webinar introducing the 3 organisations delivering grief and trauma services and support to the aged care sector is available for viewing using Google Chrome “Accessing grief and trauma support during COVID-19”.

Updated NSW Health advice on masks in RACFs

NSW Health has updated its guidance to residential aged care facilities. This includes advice that masks are no longer necessary in all aged care facilities. NSW Health also recommends providers plan for all staff to wear surgical masks should it be recommended in the future where there is an increased risk of local transmission.

There is also a reminder about the need for caution on who is able to visit aged care facilities.

Zoom tools for people living with dementia

Dementia Australia has developed a suite of resources to help people living with dementia to stay connected. Developed by people living with dementia, the resources are designed to support the use of video conferencing to help people stay in touch.

Dementia Australia is keen for aged care staff to use these new resources to increase the opportunities for residents to enjoy social interaction during this unprecedented time of enforced isolation.

The following resources are available:

• Media Release – Video conferencing guide
• Using Zoom – Guidelines for meetings
• Using Zoom – Participating in meetings
• Zoom tips – How to join a meeting
• Zoom tips – How to get the best out of the experience
• Zoom tips – Holding a dementia-friendly meeting
• Zoom tips – Tools and examples

Aged Care Funding Instrument Desk Reviews

Approved Providers of residential aged care facilities should note that the Department of Health is undertaking ACFI reviews at-desk in the department’s offices until further notice.

This approach removes any risk of COVID-19 transmission occurring by departmental staff visiting residential aged care facilities.

Source:
Unknown Author, 2020, Department of Health