Month: August 2021

Senior Australians affected by ongoing lockdowns can access vital support services to ensure they stay socially connected and maintain their health.

Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care Services, Richard Colbeck, said it was important older Australians and their families – particularly those living across hardest-hit local government areas in New South Wales and South East Queensland – understood what was available.

“Challenges remain for senior and vulnerable Australians as we continue to navigate the impact of the pandemic, particularly the effect of the Delta strain,” Minister Colbeck said.

“Staying connected and healthy has never been more important.

“Aged care services remain open and available to those who need them, especially for isolated Australians.”

The Older Persons COVID-19 Support Line (1800 171 866) is an important first step for any older Australians who need support or assistance.

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Support for senior Australians as COVID-19 restrictions continue

Australians living in aged care are among those most vulnerable to becoming seriously unwell with COVID-19. Stopping this virus from spreading into aged care facilities is our top priority. Testing gives health authorities the chance to find people with COVID-19 who are working in aged care, before they appear unwell. This will help health authorities identify where community transmission is occurring, before there are COVID-19 outbreaks.

The Australian Government, in consultation with Queensland Health, is supporting asymptomatic testing of staff in residential aged care facilities in Greater Brisbane and Sunshine Coast regions. Residential aged care services in these areas will be contacted to be offered in-reach testing for aged care workers. Services in hotspot locations will be prioritised. Please see the fact sheet for further information.

Read more:

COVID Testing of asymptomatic residential aged care workers in Brisbane and Sunshine Coast

Fact Sheet (.pdf)

In this edition:

• Single site funding support for COVID-19 impacted areas
• QLD Health – Lockdown extension
• Victoria – Restrictions on visitors to RACFs
• Victoria – VACRC Prevention – Outbreak Plan Improvement
• SA Vaccination clinics for RACF staff
• ACT CHO update

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Protecting Older Australians – COVID-19 Update – 3 August 2021

In the current context of the elevated number of COVID-19 positive cases in NSW and the lockdown arrangements introduced by the NSW Government, the Commission has temporarily paused its full program of site-based re-accreditation audits in the Greater Sydney metropolitan area (lockdown area).

This pause in our programmed work is informed by the latest expert advice regarding COVID-19 preventative measures and is aimed at minimising infection risks to aged care consumers and staff of aged care services.

Read more:

Advice to sector – Regulatory response to NSW aged care services in lockdown areas (3 August 2021) (.pdf)