COVID-19 UPDATE/NEWS
- On 27/03/2020
MannaCare regular news updates, publications and public events ensure that the greater community can be involved in the life of our residents and clients
Friday 27 March 2020
Residential Care Full Lockdown
As you are aware the Federal Government has recently mandated restrictions on visitors to residential aged care facilities in order to enhance protection of frail elderly residents from exposure to the COVID-19 pandemic. We have complied with this requirement and have limited visitors to booked times, established areas away from residents and subject to strict infection control protocols. Our approach has been to balance protection of residents with maintaining some level of physical connection between them and their family and friends.
However, with the rapidly spreading virus in the community around us, our concerns about the increasing risk of exposure to residents has escalated. Despite personal precautions that should have been taken, every visitor connecting physically with a resident has the potential to transmit the virus even if they are not showing any symptoms. It only takes one incident like this to introduce the virus into the facility and that could lead to the premature suffering and death of numerous residents. Many aged care providers have already implemented a total lockdown of their residential aged care facilities and the advice I have received from our clinicians is that we now need to do the same. Therefore, from midnight on Saturday 28th March visitors will no longer be able to have any physical contact with residents. We don’t do this lightly but our primary concern is to do all we can to protect residents from this terrible virus.
The only exception to this direction will be if the resident is assessed by their doctor to be at a palliative stage. In these circumstances we will make special arrangements to allow access while still protecting all other residents. This is consistent with dictates of the Federal Government.
We are working to set up other methods of connecting residents with their loved ones during the lockdown. This includes the use of telephones, Facetime, Skype and the like. We are setting up tablet computers for this purpose with connections to be facilitated by staff redeployed from some of our community services. We hope to have this in place by Monday. Residents can also be brought to windows and balconies to see loved ones.
It is indeed a sad day to have reached this point and we all hope that it will not be for too long. Just how long will be determined by the Federal and State Governments.
Ross Dawson CEO
Additional Information
Below are a number of resources and fact sheets providing information about the Coronavirus (COVID-19) from both the Australian Government Department of Health and the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services.
Victorian Department Health and Human Services Resources ![](https://mannacare.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/help-stop-the-spread-300x200.jpg)
Reduce your risk of Coronavirus
Protect yourself and your family:
Wash your hand regularly_English
Wash your hand regularly_Chinese
Cover your cough and sneeze_English
Cover your cough and sneeze_Chinese
For further information, please go to the Victorian Department Health and Human Services website: https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/victorian-public-coronavirus-disease-covid-19#more-information-and-resources
Australian Government Department of Health
Fact Sheet for Older Australians
Fact Sheet for families and residents on restricted visits to residential aged care facilities
Fact Sheet for workers in residential aged care facilities
Isolation guidance_Simple Chinese
For further information, please go to the Australian Government Department of Health Website: https://www.health.gov.au/
Resources for looking after your wellbeing
During this challenging time, it is essential that everyone continues to looks after their wellbeing – physical, mental and emotional. The following resources may be of help:
Beyond Blue
Looking after your mental health during the coronavirus outbreak
Australian Psychological Society
Maintaining positive mental health
Dementia help Sheets
Tips for Carers, Families and Friends of People Living with Dementia
News
Grevillea House Planned Activity Group was invited to participate in a pilot project on evaluating the effectiveness of the Montessori Method. An outcome of the pilot project was the video above.
Please feel free to share this resource on the Montessori Methods with friends and family of people living with dementia. For more information, see Alzheimer’s Australia Victoria’s resources.
The latest 2018/19 Annual Report can be viewed online by clicking below:
Publications
We have several publications to keep MannaCare residents and their families, plus staff and the wider community up to date with what we’re doing.
MannaCare is a friendly and inclusive community with many interesting stories. Here we celebrate the achievements of our staff, residents, clients and volunteers.
Athena and Vicky at Greek Club
MannaCare breaks its fundraising goal with Cancer Council Australia Biggest Morning Tea!
Upgraded Facilities at MannaCare, Officially Open
It’s never too old to graduate!
Volunteer presented with Menzies Community Australia Day Award
Green thumb a foot in the door to volunteering
Age is only a number to Aileen
Kindness and dedication go a long way when volunteering
PD Warrior course 13th Oct 2018
Unlikely combination proves you don’t judge a book by its cover
The joys of tendering to a garden
Award for Excellence a Reward for Dedication
A chat, hand massage and the benefit of touch
Building Works Update – Moving Forward
Greek Coffee Wednesdays highlights importance of community
MannaCare Capital Works project underway
Uni student proves young people make great volunteers
Value of conversation and social interaction as you get older
This is our thrice-yearly newsletter, which has articles about events, celebrations, awards, the latest on different services and usually profiles a staff member or volunteer.
Here is a range of additional publications that explain our services and facilities, or meet statutory obligations:
Informative resources offering a lot of practical advice for caring for someone in the early, middle and late stages of Alzheimer’s.
Early Warning Signs of Dementia & Alzheimer’s
Alzheimer’s: Smoothing the transition on moving day
Making your home dementia friendly
Activities for Alzheimer’s and Dementia Patients
Alzheimer’s or Other Dementia: Should I Move My Relative Into Long-Term Care?
How to Make a Loved One’s Final Days at Home Comfortable
Caregiver Stress: Remembering To Take Care Of Yourself
How to Help a Loved One with Alzheimer’s Plan Final Arrangements: A Guide for Caregivers