COVID-19 aged care grief and trauma support services

These services provide grief and trauma support for those living, working and caring in the aged care sector, who have been impacted by COVID-19.

Who these services are for

As a result of COVID-19, many people may be:

  • suffering grief and loss from the passing of a loved one or significant changes in lifestyle
  • experiencing trauma as a response to isolation, physical distancing, and visitor restrictions in aged care.

These free support and advice services are available Australia-wide for:

  • residents in aged care
  • home care recipients
  • families of senior Australians, their families of choice, friends, loved ones, representatives and community visitors
  • aged care staff, including residential aged care staff and home care staff, including aged care leadership, nursing and personal care workers, and ancillary staff.

The grief and trauma support and advice services complement mental health resources already available, such as Head to Health.

For urgent, crisis support, contact Lifeline or Beyond Blue, or speak to a GP.

Mental health support, funded by the Australian Government, is inclusive and respectful of people’s culture, religion, identity and lifestyles.

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Who these services are for

As a result of COVID-19, many people may be:

  • suffering grief and loss from the passing of a loved one or significant changes in lifestyle
  • experiencing trauma as a response to isolation, physical distancing, and visitor restrictions in aged care.

These free support and advice services are available Australia-wide for:

  • residents in aged care
  • home care recipients
  • families of senior Australians, their families of choice, friends, loved ones, representatives and community visitors
  • aged care staff, including residential aged care staff and home care staff, including aged care leadership, nursing and personal care workers, and ancillary staff.

The grief and trauma support and advice services complement mental health resources already available, such as Head to Health: https://headtohealth.gov.au/

For urgent, crisis support, contact Lifeline or Beyond Blue, or speak to a GP.

Mental health support, funded by the Australian Government, is inclusive and respectful of people’s culture, religion, identity and lifestyles.

Support for grief, loss and bereavement

Australian Centre for Grief and Bereavement

The Australian Centre for Grief and Bereavement (ACGB) provides tailored support, advice and specialised counselling with a bereavement practitioner in a one-to-one or group setting through:

  • telehealth appointments
  • video calls
  • in-person appointments.



Online self-care resources are also available:

  • webinars and fact sheets
  • web chat
  • SMS support
  • MyGrief mobile app.

ACGB has bi-lingual staff who can work with clients in 12 languages: English, Arabic, Czech, Farsi, French, Italian, Japanese, Maltese, Sinhala, Tamil, Spanish, Yiddish.

To use Translating and Interpreting Support (TIS), call 131 450 first, nominate your language and ask to be connected to ACGB on 1800 22 2200.

For sign language interpreting services, contact Auslan Connections.

Deaf Connect

We fund Deaf Connect to provide sign language interpreting and captioning services for Deaf, Deafblind and hard of hearing older people through the National Sign Language Program (NSLP).
Phone
SMS text only
Facetime

Aged Care COVID-19 Grief and Bereavement Service

Contact the Aged Care COVID-19 Grief and Bereavement Service for free support for those affected by COVID-19 in the aged care sector. They are available 9 am to 5 pm AEDT, from Monday to Friday. This service is operated by the Australian Centre for Grief and Bereavement.
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Support for grief, loss and bereavement

Australian Centre for Grief and Bereavement

The Australian Centre for Grief and Bereavement (ACGB) provides tailored support, advice and specialised counselling with a bereavement practitioner in a one-to-one or group setting through:

  • telehealth appointments
  • video calls
  • in-person appointments.

Online self-care resources are also available:

  • webinars and fact sheets
  • web chat
  • SMS support
  • MyGrief mobile app.

ACGB has bi-lingual staff who can work with clients in 12 languages: English, Arabic, Czech, Farsi, French, Italian, Japanese, Maltese, Sinhala, Tamil, Spanish, Yiddish.

To use Translating and Interpreting Support (TIS), call 131 450 first, nominate your language and ask to be connected to ACGB on 1800 22 2200.

For sign language interpreting services, contact Auslan Connections.

Auslan Connections

Auslan Connections is funded by the Department of Health to provide sign language interpreting services to service providers.

Phone: 1300 010 877

SMS text: 0407 647 591

Email: interpreter.bookings@deafservices.org.au

Web: http://www.auslanconnections.com.au/

Aged Care COVID-19 Grief and Bereavement Service

Contact the Aged Care COVID-19 Grief and Bereavement Service for free support for those affected by COVID-19 in the aged care sector. They are available 9 am to 5 pm AEDT, from Monday to Friday. This service is operated by the Australian Centre for Grief and Bereavement.

Phone: 1800 222 200

Email: covidagedcare@grief.org.au

Web: Aged Care COVID-19 Grief and Bereavement Service

Resources for those affected by trauma

Phoenix Australia

Phoenix Australia offers information and tools to support those who have had traumatic experiences, and trauma recovery resources for carers and aged care providers.

There are 3 resource packages designed for the aged care sector, available on the Phoenix Australia aged care website:

  • For aged care organisations: Trauma-informed care policy resources including a trauma-informed care framework, webinars, workbooks and self-assessment tools.
  • For aged care staff: Trauma-informed practice resources, including videos, webinars and online training. Designed to help aged care staff give trauma-informed care to others and understand self-care for themselves.
  • For aged care recipients, their families and loves ones: Trauma awareness and support resources on understanding trauma. Guidance on when to seek help, self-care strategies and resources for caring for a loved one affected by trauma.
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Phoenix Australia offers information and tools to support those who have had traumatic experiences, and trauma recovery resources for carers and aged care providers.

There are three resource packages designed for the aged care sector, available on the Phoenix Australia aged care website:

  • For aged care organisations – Trauma-informed care policy resources including a trauma-informed care framework, webinars, workbooks and self-assessment tools.
  • For aged care staff – Trauma-informed practice resources, including videos, webinars and online training. Designed to help aged care staff give trauma-informed care to others and understand self-care for themselves.

For aged care recipients, their families and loves ones Trauma awareness and support resources on understanding trauma. Guidance on when to seek help, self-care strategies and resources for caring for a loved one affected by trauma.

Help for dementia associated behaviours

Dementia Support Australia

Dementia Support Australia help aged care providers to ease the impacts of lockdown on residents living with dementia. Their resources library for health care professionals and family members has information that can help those who are supporting a person living with dementia.

Dementia Support Australia

Dementia Support Australia helps health care professionals and family members supporting a person living with dementia. They provide a 24-hour helpline, specialised clinical support and advice for carers of people living with dementia when they experience changes in behaviour.
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Dementia Support Australia help aged care providers to ease the impacts of lockdown on residents living with dementia. Their resources library for health care professionals and family members has information that can help those who are supporting a person living with dementia.

Contact Dementia Support Australia for specialised clinical support and advice. They provide resources for aged care staff, families, friends, loved ones, families of choice, and representatives and community visitors. You can contact them by phone anytime, day or night, 365 days a year.

Phone: 1800 699 799

Web: https://dementia.com.au/

Advice and advocacy for older people

Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN) contact

Contact OPAN if you need advocacy support for government-subsidised aged care, or you’re a service provider seeking education about aged care rights and responsibilities. Call the number below to connect to the free advocacy service in your state or territory.
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Contact OPAN if you need advocacy support for government-subsidised aged care, or you’re a service provider seeking education about aged care rights and responsibilities. Call the number below to connect to the free advocacy service in your state or territory.

Phone: 1800 700 600

Email: enquiries@opan.com.au

Web: https://opan.com.au/

Crisis support services – available 24 hours

Lifeline

Contact Lifeline for support if you are experiencing a personal crisis or have suicidal thoughts. You can call them 24 hours a day, 7 days a week from anywhere in Australia for crisis support. You can also send a text message or contact their confidential online chat.
24-hour crisis line

Kids Helpline

Kids Helpline provides a free, private and confidential phone and online counselling service for young people aged from 5 to 25. The service is available 24 hours a day from anywhere in Australia.

MensLine Australia

MensLine Australia is a telephone and online counselling service for men with emotional health and relationship concerns. Men can contact them for free professional support from anywhere in Australia 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Open Arms – Veterans and families counselling

Open Arms provide mental health and wellbeing support for current and ex-serving Australian Defence Force personnel and their families. You can contact them anytime for crisis support – they're available 24 hours a day.

If you don’t feel that any of the above services suits you. You can also talk to someone you trust; contact your GP, a counsellor, psychologist or psychiatrist; or visit a hospital emergency department.

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Lifeline 24-hour crisis line: 131 114

Web: https://www.lifeline.org.au/ 

Postal addresses: PO Box 173, Deakin ACT 2600

Beyond Blue Coronavirus Mental Wellbeing Support Service hotline: 1800 512 348

Web: https://coronavirus.beyondblue.org.au/

Kids Helpline contact: 1800 551 800

Web: https://kidshelpline.com.au/

MensLine Australia: 1300 789 978

Web: https://mensline.org.au/

Open Arms – Veterans and families counselling: 1800 011 046

Web: https://www.openarms.gov.au/

If you don’t feel that any of the above services suits you. You can also talk to someone you trust; contact your GP, a counsellor, psychologist or psychiatrist; or visit a hospital emergency department.

Resources

Grief and trauma resources are available for download, print or order. Translated brochures and posters are also available in several languages.

Content and images for social media is available to the aged care sector and affiliated organisations to share information about the grief and trauma support services on social media channels.

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Grief and trauma resources are available for download, print or order. Translated brochures and posters are also available in several languages.

Content and images for social media is available to the aged care sector and affiliated organisations to share information about the grief and trauma support services on social media channels.

Web: Deparment of Health | Resources

A collection of grief and trauma resources for those living, working and caring in the aged care sector, who have been impacted by COVID-19.

A full Auslan interpretation of the services providing grief and trauma support for those living, working and caring in the aged care sector, who have been impacted by COVID-19.

17:59

These services provide grief and trauma support for those living, working and caring in the aged care sector, who have been impacted by COVID-19.

As a result of COVID-19, many people may be:

  • suffering grief and loss from the passing of a loved one or significant changes in lifestyle
  • experiencing trauma as a response to isolation, physical distancing, and visitor restrictions in aged care.

These free support and advice services are available Australia-wide for:

  • residents in aged care
  • home care recipients
  • families of senior Australians, their families of choice, friends, loved ones, representatives and community visitors
  • aged care staff, including residential aged care staff and home care staff, including aged care leadership, nursing and personal care workers, and ancillary staff.

The grief and trauma support and advice services complement mental health resources already available, such as Head to Health.

For urgent, crisis support, contact Lifeline or Beyond Blue, or speak to a GP.

Mental health support, funded by the Australian Government, is inclusive and respectful of people’s culture, religion, identity and lifestyles.

Support for grief, loss and bereavement

The Australian Centre for Grief and Bereavement (ACGB) provides tailored support, advice and specialised counselling with a bereavement practitioner in a one-to-one or group setting through:

  • telehealth appointments
  • video calls
  • in-person appointments.

Online self-care resources are also available:

  • webinars and fact sheets
  • web chat
  • SMS support
  • MyGrief mobile app.

ACGB has bi-lingual staff who can work with clients in 12 languages: English, Arabic, Czech, Farsi, French, Italian, Japanese, Maltese, Sinhala, Tamil, Spanish, Yiddish.

To use Translating and Interpreting Support (TIS), call 131 450 first, nominate your language and ask to be connected to ACGB on 1800 22 2200.

For sign language interpreting services, contact Auslan Connections.

Auslan Connections

Auslan Connections is funded by the Department of Health to provide sign language interpreting services to service providers.

Phone: 1300 010 877

SMS text: 0407 647 591

Email: interpreter.bookings@deafservices.org.au

Web: http://www.auslanconnections.com.au/

Aged Care COVID-19 Grief and Bereavement Service

Contact the Aged Care COVID-19 Grief and Bereavement Service for free support for those affected by COVID-19 in the aged care sector. They are available 9 am to 5 pm AEDT, from Monday to Friday. This service is operated by the Australian Centre for Grief and Bereavement.

Phone: 1800 222 200

Email: covidagedcare@grief.org.au

Web: Aged Care COVID-19 Grief and Bereavement Service

Resources for those affected by trauma

Phoenix Australia offers information and tools to support those who have had traumatic experiences, and trauma recovery resources for carers and aged care providers.

There are three resource packages designed for the aged care sector, available on the Phoenix Australia aged care website:

  • For aged care organisations – Trauma-informed care policy resources including a trauma-informed care framework, webinars, workbooks and self-assessment tools.
  • For aged care staff – Trauma-informed practice resources, including videos, webinars and online training. Designed to help aged care staff give trauma-informed care to others and understand self-care for themselves.

For aged care recipients, their families and loves ones Trauma awareness and support resources on understanding trauma. Guidance on when to seek help, self-care strategies and resources for caring for a loved one affected by trauma.

Help for dementia associated behaviours

Dementia Support Australia help aged care providers to ease the impacts of lockdown on residents living with dementia. Their resources library for health care professionals and family members has information that can help those who are supporting a person living with dementia.

Contact Dementia Support Australia for specialised clinical support and advice. They provide resources for aged care staff, families, friends, loved ones, families of choice, and representatives and community visitors. You can contact them by phone anytime, day or night, 365 days a year.

Phone: 1800 699 799

Web: https://dementia.com.au/

Advice and advocacy for older people

Contact OPAN if you need advocacy support for government-subsidised aged care, or you’re a service provider seeking education about aged care rights and responsibilities. Call the number below to connect to the free advocacy service in your state or territory.

Phone: 1800 700 600

Email: enquiries@opan.com.au

Web: https://opan.com.au/

Crisis support services – available 24 hours

Lifeline

Contact Lifeline for support if you are experiencing a personal crisis or have suicidal thoughts. You can call them 24 hours a day, 7 days a week from anywhere in Australia.

Lifeline 24-hour crisis line: 131 114

Web: https://www.lifeline.org.au/

Postal addresses: PO Box 173, Deakin ACT 2600

Beyond Blue Coronavirus Mental Wellbeing Support Service

Beyond Blue are providing information, advice and strategies to help you manage your wellbeing and mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hotline: 1800 512 348

Beyond Blue Coronavirus Mental Wellbeing Support Service

Kids Helpline contact

Kids Helpline provides a free, private and confidential phone and online counselling service for young people aged 5 to 25. The service is available 24 hours a day from anywhere in Australia.

Phone: 1800 551 800

Web: https://kidshelpline.com.au/

MensLine Australia

MensLine Australia is a telephone and online counselling service for men with emotional health and relationship concerns.

Phone: 1300 789 978

Web: https://mensline.org.au/

Open Arms – Veterans and families counselling

Open Arms provide mental health and wellbeing support for current and ex-serving Australian Defence Force personnel and their families. You can contact them anytime for crisis support – they're available 24 hours a day.

Phone: 1800 011 046

Web: https://www.openarms.gov.au/

If you don’t feel that any of the above services suits you. You can also talk to someone you trust; contact your GP, a counsellor, psychologist or psychiatrist; or visit a hospital emergency department.

Resources

Grief and trauma resources are available for download, print or order. Translated brochures and posters are also available in several languages.

Content and images for social media is available to the aged care sector and affiliated organisations to share information about the grief and trauma support services on social media channels.

Date last updated:

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