Coronavirus (COVID-19) and Aged Care

03/09/2021 – It has been a difficult couple of years trying to enter aged care as a visitor. During the height of COVID-19, many people weren’t able to visit an older loved one in an aged care facility because of coronavirus concerns.

Now with new standards to keep residents connected with their families, most aged care facilities are open to visitors again. However, providers still work hard to keep both their residents and staff healthy and safe, which means there may be some extra rules and procedures in place.

So what should you be aware of when visiting an aged care home so you can be the perfect visitor?

02/07/2021 – The Federal Government announced it was making it mandatory for all staff working in aged care to be vaccinated for COVID-19. The mandate sparked many responses, some in favour, others against.

When the Government implemented the influenza vaccination as mandatory for aged care just after COVID-19 came to Australia’s shores, not everyone supported their decision and some workers left the industry.

A recent survey of members of the Australian Nursing Federation in Western Australia showed that a third of aged care workers in the State said they would leave the sector if the COVID-19 vaccine was made mandatory.

We asked different people working in the sector how they’re feeling about this mandate.

11/06/2021 – Older people were quickly identified as a priority group for the COVID-19 rollout in Australia after studies found that people over 50 had the worst symptoms and mortality rates compared to any other age group.

All people over the age of 40 are now eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine in Australia, but there is still confusion around how to get the vaccine, where to go, and what you are meant to do.

There are two vaccines currently available in Australia, but if you are over the age of 60 you will most likely receive the AstraZeneca vaccine.

08/06/2021 – The Federal Government is encouraging all people to get vaccinated against COVID-19, especially older Australians who are considered a vulnerable group.

There are a lot of reasons why older people should get vaccinated against the coronavirus, and it is important to understand how the vaccine works so you can make an informed decision when consenting to the vaccine.

At the moment, a lot of false information about the vaccines is circulating on social media and that is not helping older Australians have faith in the available vaccines.

The more people that are vaccinated against COVID-19, the more likely Australia will be able to go back to everyday life.

02/06/2021 – As the bungled COVID-19 vaccine rollout continues, the creation of misinformation and myths around the different coronavirus vaccinations have grown to a huge level, leaving many older Australians apprehensive about getting the jab.

Cleaning up concerns around “vaccine hesitancy” and misinformation is vital so that older people can be better protected against COVID-19.

At the moment, there are two COVID-19 vaccines available – Astrazeneca (76 percent efficacy) and Pfizer (95 percent efficacy). Plus there are another few vaccines currently still in approval stages with the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), like Moderna (90 percent efficacy).

01/02/2021 – In a bid to protect Australians and stop the spread of COVID-19, the Federal Government is planning to invest an extra $1.9 billion into the vaccine rollout, beginning in late February, to provide free vaccinations to all Australians and promote confidence in the new vaccines.

At the National Press Club on Monday, 1 February, Prime Minister Scott Morrison explained what will be occurring with the vaccination process and the importance of as many Australians as possible receiving the vaccine.

“We need to prioritise the most vulnerable and those most likely to experience the disease, as well as frontline workers,” says PM Morrison.

30/04/2020 – Making the decision to place a loved one in aged care is a difficult one for many families. The current COVID-19 pandemic adds an extra dimension to this.

But even in these times, a crisis can hit resulting in a loss of independence and the urgent need to move into a nursing home.

But amid the news of coronavirus clusters in aged care homes in New South Wales and Victoria it is understandable there is apprehension about a move in the current environment. So is it safe for you to move into an aged care facility during a pandemic?

17/04/2020 – Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) has become a huge topic in Australia as the country is battling the COVID-19 outbreak. There is a lack of supplies available for health professionals and aged care workers, and the general public has been scrambling to get their hands on any form of masks and PPE.

Many Australians are wondering if they should cover their nose and mouth with a mask to reduce the risk of contracting the virus and the advice whether to mask or not to mask has been conflicting.

02/04/2020 – Keeping fit and healthy is an important part of ageing well, but it’s even more important now as Australia is battling the impact of coronavirus.

Exercise is vital to keep your muscles and joints moving well, especially for older people, and to support your independence for as long as possible but can be tricky when self-isolating at home and a walk to the shops or the local swimming pool is no longer an option.

01/04/2020 – As more and more businesses close and the Government takes action to minimise the spread of the coronavirus, or COVID-19, you may be in self-isolation or worried about going to your doctor’s surgery, how are you able to access healthcare while at home?

Luckily, telehealth is being pushed by the Federal Government, making healthcare more accessible and as a way to protect vulnerable Australians from the possibility of contracting the virus.

30/02/2020 – Protecting people with dementia from the coronavirus will be difficult and there will be a number of challenges around maintaining basic personal hygiene and how to notice the symptoms of COVID-19.

Already, some people with dementia may experience heightened emotions and feelings. This can be compounded by the stress and anxiety they are undergoing from the coronavirus threat or in response to limitations around their care.

27/03/2020 – The coronavirus will change how home care services are delivered at home to recipients, and families will need to switch up how they take care of their older loved ones for the next few months until COVID-19 is under control.

This could mean adapting the care you provide to a client or family member and the utilisation of further health measures to keep safe and stop the spread of the virus.

26/03/2020 – Federal Government has put in place visitation restrictions into aged care facilities to protect older Australians with the clause that this could develop into facility lockdowns if the coronavirus, or COVID-19, escalates further.

25/03/2020 – During this digital age, it’s hard to keep your information and money safe as an older person when new technology and how it works can be quite confusing.

This is doubled by the fact more and more scammers are utilising the current COVID-19 crisis to target people through phone calls and email phishing scams.

24/03/2020 – Staying safe and keeping healthy during the outbreak of COVID-19 will help protect yourself and others.

Making changes to our daily lives in terms of hygiene and social behaviours can help slow down the spread of the virus.