As metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire re-enter Stage Three lockdowns due to the spread of COVID-19, aged care providers across the city are stepping up to keep their residents and staff safe. Here’s what you need to know:
Many aged care homes are putting limitations on visitors to keep residents safe
We know that older people are among the most susceptible to coronavirus in our community, so aged care homes are working around the clock to keep them safe. This will likely mean we will see a return to visitor restrictions and limitations that had started to be lifted after the initial outbreak. Aged care homes are having to balance the important need for socialisation and visits from family and friends with the need to keep residents safe from the virus, particularly with ongoing community transmission as we are now seeing in Melbourne. In some cases aged care homes are now closed completely for visitors, but are working to make sure their residents can stay connected to their loved ones through technology.
Homes that have had a positive case amongst residents or staff will be locked down
Unfortunately several aged care homes across metropolitan Melbourne have had staff or residents test positive to COVID-19. In these instances the homes are completely closed to visitors, residents who test positive are isolated or transferred to hospital, and deep cleaning occurs.
It’s still possible to enter residential aged care if you need it
Throughout the COVID-19 situation Care Guidance has worked with dozens of families who have found themselves in need of finding aged care for a loved one during these difficult times. While the decision to enter residential aged care is never easy, it is particularly challenging and emotionally difficult during the COVID situation. If you’re caring for an elderly loved one who needs aged care, you can rest assured that Care Guidance understands the strain and guilt you are experiencing and that we are here to help you get the best possible outcome. We can provide our service completely remotely via Skype or Zoom, as well as phone and email, and are carefully monitoring the COVID situation to provide the best and most up-to-date advice to our clients.
