Do I need a flu shot to visit my parents or grandparents in the aged care home? Can I take a pet to see Mum or Dad? Can they still have access to the Community Visitors Scheme (CVS) during the pandemic?
These are all questions that were raised during a one-hour webinar this week run by COTA Australia, Dementia Australia, National Seniors Australia and the Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN) to update residents, families and their representatives on the progress of the voluntary Industry Code for Visiting Residential Aged Care Homes during COVID-19.
The Code – which was introduced just over two weeks ago on 11 May – is designed to provide guidance to residents, families and providers on their rights and responsibilities regarding aged care visits during the pandemic.
The CEOs of the four organisations says they have received fewer calls with complaints from family members about visiting loved ones, but there still have been issues on the ground.
Dementia Australia CEO Maree McCabe said they had received calls from family members concerned that visits were being taken up with medical and wellbeing updates and about not being able to tour homes to see if they were suitable for loved ones still living at home.
There were also concerns about residents not being able to access social supports.
OPAN CEO Craig Gear emphasised that residents should be able to receive visitors through the Government-funded Community Visitors Scheme (CVS), which provides volunteer visits to older people for companionship.
Outside carers that are employed by families to come in and spend time with their loved ones should also be able to visit, COTA CEO Ian Yates said.
Residents can also attend medical appointments accompanied by a family member or carer (though Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) may need to be worn), with some States and Territories also allowing residents to leave the home for exercise, Mr Gear stated.
However, he cautioned people against taking their loved one for a drive or other social outing where their whereabouts would not be known.
All four groups also stressed the need for any visitors to aged care homes to have a current flu vaccination, a measure which became mandatory across Australian from 1 May 2020.
National Seniors CEO John McCallum pointed out that the flu is as dangerous for aged care residents as COVID-19 – comparing having a flu vaccination in aged care to wearing a hard hat if you are a construction worker.
However, the main message was that restricted visiting for aged care homes will need to be in place for a long time to ensure the safety of elderly residents – long after the meausres in the community are lifted.
So, it is important that everyone – providers and families – follow the guidance set down in the Code.
You can download a copy of the Code here.
If you do have concerns about access to a loved one living in residential care during the pandemic, start by speaking to the facility manager. If you want to take the issue further, you can call OPAN on 1800 700 600.
