Page updated: 9/12/2022
We appreciate your cooperation and understanding as Anglicare continues implementing a range of measures to help minimise the risk of spreading COVID-19. This includes screening of all staff and visitors upon entry to our sites.
For further information about how this relates to our various services, please click the links below.
Residential Aged Care safety measures for the Christmas season
It is that time of the year when we all start preparing for festivities to celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus. To help ensure that our residents, staff and communities as a whole can enjoy these celebrations safely, Anglicare is undertaking careful and detailed planning for COVID management during this time.
The current NSW Health advice for residential aged care settings is targeted at ensuring that our residents are placed at minimal risk of exposure to COVID-19 whilst enjoying the Christmas season and celebrating with family and friends.
How can you help us to keep our residents and care homes safe over December and January?
Be fully vaccinated
We are asking residents and their families/visitors to ensure that they have had all of their COVID-19 booster vaccinations for maximum protection. More information is available at: COVID-19 vaccination in NSW | NSW Government
Don’t visit if you have COVID-19
NSW Health guidance for aged care visitors requires that all persons who have COVID-19 do not visit for at least 7days from time the result is received.
Stay home if you are a close contact
If you are a close contact of someone who has tested positive you should not visit for 7 days. If you or a person with whom you’re in close contact test positive following a visit, please let us know. This will ensure we can test and monitor our staff and residents after the exposure.
More information is available here- Advice to residential aged care facilities (RACFs) - COVID-19 (Coronavirus) (nsw.gov.au).
What is Anglicare doing to keep our residents and care homes safe over December and January?
Keeping our homes free of exposure to COVID-19 is the best way to keep our residents safe. The following measures have been implemented and we ask for your support and full cooperation:
Staff are undertaking Rapid Antigen Testing (RAT) on each shift, continuing to wear P2/N95 masks, re-commencing the wearing of eye wear and are required to maintain strict hand hygiene and infection control practices at all times. Our staff have been doing an excellent job of limiting the spread of COVID-19 in our homes for many months now, and whilst the community is not required to wear masks whilst we go about our daily routines, spare a thought for our staff who have been wearing masks while at work for 33 months now without a break.
Testing and masks for visitors. We request that as you undertake a Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) every time you visit our homes, and that you wear a surgical mask throughout your visit. These are important measures to help keep everyone in the home safe.
Limited visiting numbers throughout December. The number of visitors in the home at any one time will be limited. This is to ensure that all visitors can be checked in safely, all entry protocols strictly adhered to, and social distancing properly observed. We are using a booking system to ensure that all visits can be supported, and that overcrowding can be avoided. Specific details are available from each home.
Planning for safe celebrations. Anglicare has created a comprehensive plan to support safe Christmas celebrations in all our homes. This includes managing physical distancing and the number of people within venue spaces, ventilation and use of air purifiers, maintaining cleanliness and food safety. Updates to this plan will be made as required in response to any change in circumstances.
Continuing connection for residents. In the event of an outbreak, visiting under our Partnerships in Care program will continue. More information about Partnerships in care can be found here. If you, or someone nominated by your loved one, has not yet signed up we encourage you to speak to the Residential Manager. Please note: online training and a competency assessment by the home’s Workplace Trainer must be completed prior to an outbreak.
Tips for when you are taking your loved one on a social visit or outing
These measures have been put in place for the safety and wellbeing of all. Our aim is to prevent the spread of COVID in our homes and to avoid distress to our residents, staff and families. If you have any questions or concerns about the arrangements in place at your home, please talk to the Manager.
What better way to share the spirit of Christmas than by working together to ensure that everyone can join in the celebrations!
As COVID-19 cases continue to affect the community, Anglicare is following the advice of NSW Health and taking precautionary measures to keep your loved ones safe. This includes screening visitors upon entry.
For updated information on visitation in residential aged care homes, visit Advice to residential aged care facilities - COVID-19 (Coronavirus) (nsw.gov.au).
Visitors
Residents are permitted to have two fully vaccinated visitors aged 12 years and over, plus two children aged under 12 years per day.
Read the Fact Sheet for visiting our residential care homes if you have further questions.
To help manage visits to our homes, visitors will need to pre-book their visit. For visitors who are unable to visit in person, we can assist you to connect with your loved one by video calls. Please book these through the online booking system or call the residential care home.
If you have any questions or concerns about these changes, please contact the Residential Manager of your home, email us at [email protected], or call us on 1300 111 278.
We encourage all retirement living and housing residents across our Villages to be aware of the risks of COVID-19. We also work closely with them to ensure they understand and follow Public Health Orders and advice and cooperate with our COVID-19 Prevention and Management Procedures.
We are pleased to inform you that in line with NSW easing of restrictions, we are also working on supporting you back into the community and back to our services.
Anglicare At Home has recommenced:
We will be welcoming people back to our Social and Wellness Centres and Social Groups on the 25th October 2021.
Please be assured that Anglicare At Home will maintain our strict screening and infection control protocols. We are committed to continuing to deliver services in line with the latest government recommendations while ensuring the safety of our clients, staff, and the community.
We encourage you to call your Anglicare representative to discuss your personal situation.
Message from Marcela Carrasco, General Manager, Anglicare At Home - July 2021
Community Services offices are providing the following services at this time:
We continue to provide as much chaplaincy and pastoral support as we can while ensuring the safety of clients and Anglicare staff. Where face-to-face support is restricted our chaplains and pastoral carers are ministering via Skype and by phone. Staff who minister at non-Anglicare sites (including hospitals and prisons) follow the relevant procedures and precautions applicable to their place of ministry.
If you have any questions, please contact [email protected]
For the latest information about COVID-19, refer to the Australian Department of Health and the NSW Department of Health.
COVID-19: What Anglicare is doing to protect residents, clients, staff and volunteers
Coronavirus (COVID-19): What you need to know
Coronavirus (COVID-19): Know the signs
Coronavirus (COVID-19): Home isolation guidance for close contacts and recently returned travellers
Coronavirus (COVID-19): Returning to your community