Today’s edition includes information to help senior Australians make COVIDSafe decisions about work, transport and social activities during the COVID-19 pandemic. We have included resources that will assist senior Australians manage any health risks, including a COVID-19 action plan and a ‘living well in the COVID-19 pandemic’ tool.
Also included in today’s edition is a link to a survey that we are encouraging all providers and aged care workers to complete. This survey seeks your feedback on the communications being provided to the aged care sector so we know how effective it has been. This will help us continue to improve the way we provide information to you. Your feedback would be very much appreciated.
Our thoughts go out to all Victorians during this time. Thank you to all Victorian providers and workers who continue to support our senior Australians. This support is critical now more than ever. Please reach out to us if you need any assistance by calling the Australian Government Department of Health Victorian State Office on 1800 078 709.
Managing health risks as COVID-19 restrictions ease
The Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC) has updated its advice for the management of health risk as COVID-19 measures ease in some parts of the country. These health risks increase as people age. There is a substantial increase in risk of severe COVID-19 illness in people over 70.
New resources have been developed to support senior Australians make COVIDSafe decisions about work, transport and social activities during the COVID-19 pandemic. These include a Living well in the COVID-19 pandemic tool and a COVIDSafe action plan that lists actions that older Australians can take if there are no or low cases in their community, or if cases in their community are increasing.
We encourage you to provide these resources to your residents, care recipients and family members.
Minister for Aged Care and Senior Australians and Minister for Youth and Sport, the Hon Senator Richard Colbeck has urged senior Australians to remain vigilant as restrictions are eased. Vulnerable and older members of every community remains a priority as both Federal and State governments navigated the challenges of the pandemic.
Read Minister Colbeck’s media release.
Survey for aged care workers on communication during COVID-19
The Department of Health is seeking your feedback on what stakeholders would find most helpful and informative as we enter the next phase of the response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The survey can be completed by anyone with an interest in the aged care. All participants are welcome to forward the survey link onto others who may also be interested in participating.
All questions are voluntary and the survey will take approximately 5 minutes to complete. The survey is anonymous and will not collect personally identifying information.
We would greatly value your feedback. A link to the survey can be found here.
Resources
- COVID-19 action plan
- Coronavirus living well in the COVID-19 pandemic fact sheet
- Statement from Minister Colbeck: Senior Australians urged to stay vigilant
- Survey on COVID-19 communications
Coming soon
- Provider perspective on outbreak management