By Theresia Titus
Western Australian aged care providers have continued to establish necessary measures to ensure the safety and health of their residents, clients and staff in response to the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
As of 25 March, there have been no reports of residents or staff members testing positive for COVID-19 at any WA aged care provider including Southern Cross Care WA (SCC), MercyCare, and Catholic Homes.
The measures on visitation policy are varied between aged care providers, however, all have ceased all non-essential gatherings, visits and movements from staff, volunteers and contractors, as well as enforcing hand hygiene, coughing and sneezing etiquette, social distancing, and infection control and procedures.
SCC has imposed a strict “no visitor policy at all their residential aged care sites”, with “exceptions on a case-by-case basis at the discretion of the site manager on compassionate grounds” from Wednesday 18 March.
Understanding the importance to have their residents remain connected with their family and loved ones, SCC is realising a scheduled assisted video communication initiative via Skype.
In addition to phone service, the initiative is currently underway and all SCC facilities shall be connected by Friday 27 March.
SCC Chief Executive Errol Turner said the global emergence of COVID-19 had created “unprecedented challenges for the aged care sector”.
“SCC is committed to minimising the risk of exposure and to ensure the wellbeing of our residents, clients and staff,” Mr Turner added.
“Based on advice from the Department of Health, we have implemented a broad range of measures across all of our operations, ensuring we can continue to provide high-quality care and services to our residents and clients.
“We are regularly communicating to all members of the SCC community, and will continue to do so as the situation progresses,” he explained.
As of Tuesday, 24 March, Catholic Homes have implemented quarantine measures for all of its residences to assist in reducing the risk of contracting the virus
With the exemptions of exceptional and compassionate circumstances, such as medical emergencies or end-of-life care (assessed on a case to case basis), families of residents were instead encouraged to connect with their loved ones via telephone calls, FaceTime, letters, postcards and emails, until further notice.
Catholic Homes Chief Executive Paul Andrew said caring for their residents and clients was “a privilege”, which came with “a great responsibility to ensure not only quality care but their wellness and safety”.
“Due to the COVID-19, Catholic Homes took the necessary steps to mitigate any potential spread of the virus by closing our facilities to external contact of others,” Mr Andrew said.
“While this can greatly impact the people we care for and their families, we believe it is a small price to pay in the short term for their safety and wellbeing.”
Meanwhile, MercyCare has gone “above-and-beyond current advice issued by the Australian Government in its efforts to do all it can to protect its residents and staff” by having a 14-day lockdown on all its aged care homes from Wednesday 18 March.
No visitor is allowed at any MercyCare aged care facility “excluding those visiting residents receiving palliative care”, who will need to make arrangements with home Service Managers and be subject to strict infection prevention and control measures.
MercyCare Chief Executive Anthony Smith said these steps were taken to ensure their aged care homes were “the safest possible place for older people to be”.
“We understand a lockdown will be hard on families unable to visit their loved one, especially during these difficult times. We appreciate their support in taking these steps to protect older people in our care,” Mr Smith explained.
“We are investigating different ways residents can continue to stay connected with their loved ones and the community as a priority during this time ensuring their mental, spiritual and physical health and wellbeing.
“We know the critical role that families play in supporting their relatives and loved ones and understand that exceptions will need to be made for those residents receiving End of Life care.”
Updated 27 March 11.35am