It has not been an easy start to the New Year for many Australians with the bushfires that have devastated Australia in recent months reaching a new level of intensity over the Christmas and New Year break.
We all know someone who has been affected by the blazes, whether they live in one of the many regions to be impacted or are helping to fight the fires on the frontline.
Our brave firefighters, volunteer firies and emergency services have been leading the charge against the blazes.
But there are plenty of unsung heroes who work behind the scenes – including our aged care workers.
Speaking to providers this week, we know many staff have gone above and beyond to ensure our Mums and Dads stay safe.
We understand at least 30 providers were directly touched by the fires with at least one case in Victoria where staff stayed on to care for residents as fires bore down on the facility.
In total, around 750 residents have been evacuated from 20 facilities in NSW and Victoria to other facilities.
On the NSW South Coast, the CEO of aged care, village and home care provider IRT, Patrick Reid tells us staff at their head office gave up time with their families to return to work to assist with the emergency.
They had to evacuate 48 residents from one of their aged care homes at Dalmeny with residents taken to their nearby facility at Moruya or another Dalmeny aged care home owned by a different provider Estia.
Staff from other aged care providers who couldn’t get to their own jobs came in to volunteer to care for residents, while their pharmacists also worked with the local GPs to ensure residents had their medication and any minor ailments were treated.
Their pharmacist at their Malua Bay home continued to see residents – despite losing his own home in the fires.
This good work has extended to the country’s home care workers. Despite some services being disrupted due to safety concerns, staff and providers have done their best to continue to provide care in alternative locations such as motels and evacuation centres and prioritise requirements like wound care and carrying out wellbeing checks.
We have also heard about providers doing their own bit to assist with emergency relief, including making donations, hosting fundraisers, paying staff who are volunteering with the Rural Fire Service (RFS) and providing financial assistance to staff who have lost their homes in the fires as well as access to counselling services for all staff.
The crisis is not over yet – but it is wonderful to see our aged care staff and the community doing their part to protect frail older Australians.
If you are concerned about aged care homes or home care services being affected by bushfires, please speak to your provider. If you can’t contact the provider or have other questions, please call My Aged Care on 1800 200 422.
The Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN) is also available on 1800 700 600, 8am-8pm Monday to Friday (AEDT) to help you liaise with providers or My Aged Care or refer you to counselling services.
