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Release of a Virtual Visiting Resource Kit

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Re: Release of a Virtual Visiting Resource Kit

Dear Service Provider

Virtual visiting enables people to see and speak to their families and friends anywhere in the world with the use of video conferencing technology and the internet.

A Virtual Visiting Resource Kit has been developed to assist residential aged care facilities interested in designing and delivering a virtual visiting program. The aim of the program is to improve the quality of residents’ lives through increased contact with family and friends. The Kit is based on materials developed by the Western District Health Service in Victoria and funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing.

The Kit includes information to assist residential aged care facilities with:
  • marketing a virtual visiting program;
  • developing virtual visiting policies and procedures;
  • understanding the equipment requirements for virtual visiting;
  • helping families to participate in virtual visiting; and
  • engaging staff and volunteers to assist with operating a virtual visiting program.
The Kit also provides information about:
  • the rationale for, and benefits of, virtual visits in aged care facilities;
  • the technological requirements for virtual visits; and
  • how to start up a virtual visiting program in your aged care facility.
The materials in the Kit can be tailored to suit an individual organisation’s approach to virtual visiting. The Kit can be downloaded from the Department's website.

This is a useful resource for organisations interested in establishing such a program to support residents who would otherwise be socially isolated from their families and friends.


Fiona Nicholls
Assistant Secretary
Aged Care Workforce & Better Practice Programs
Office of Aged Care Quality and Compliance
28 April 2011
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