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At Prestige, the safety and care of all our clients and employees is paramount, and we are committed to working with you or your loved one to safeguard against health risks. We are regularly following the advice of Federal and State health authorities in regard to this situation. We are also monitoring any health issues alerts that provide warning on disease outbreaks. Furthermore, we will ensure that our carers practise good hand hygiene, wear masks and adhere to 1.5m physical distancing (where possible).
Melbourne Lockdown to Keep Victorians Safe
The following is a brief update regarding COVID-19 provided by the Victorian government:
As of 11.59pm, Friday September 17:
Click here for further detail and restriction changes.
Coronavirus Restrictions For Regional Victoria
The following is a brief update regarding COVID-19 provided by the Victorian government:
Greater Geelong, Mitchell Shire and the Surf Coast, have announced a seven- day snap lockdown from Sunday 19 September 11:59pm. Restrictions for these areas will be the same as those in Ballarat and metropolitan Melbourne, excluding the curfew.
Further detail and restriction changes can be found here.
Additionally, further measures will be implemented to protect children across the entire state, as the number of infections amongst kids continues to rise.
Helpful information regarding the current COVID-19 situation in Victoria can be viewed here. This information does get updated on a regular basis.
NSW COVIDSafe rule
Stay-at-home orders for regional and rural NSW are extended until at least 11:59pm on 10 September, in line with existing orders for the Greater Sydney area.
https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/rules/affected-regions
From 12.01am on Monday 13 September, people who have received both doses of a COVID-19 vaccine will be allowed more freedoms.
Summary of restrictions:
The stay at home rules apply to regional and rural locations in NSW.
The NSW government has also urged people to get tested immediately even if you have mild cold-like symptoms and to self-isolate for 14 days – even if you receive a negative result.
Stay at home orders apply to Greater Sydney including the Blue Mountains, Central Coast, Wollongong and Shellharbour local government areas.
Rules for leaving your local government area:
If you live in the local government areas of Bayside, Blacktown, Burwood, Campbelltown, Canterbury-Bankstown, Cumberland, Fairfield, Georges River, Liverpool, Parramatta, Strathfield or some suburbs of Penrith (LGAs of concern), you can only leave the local government area you live in to go to work if:
Helpful information regarding the current COVID-19 situation in NSW can be viewed at – NSW Health website. Please read about NSW case locations to see if you need to get tested and self-isolate. This information will be updated if further locations are identified.
Face mask rules in NSW
You must wear a face mask in the following settings:
Click here for more information about face mask rules in NSW.
Prestige remains committed to the safety and well being of all our staff and the clients we support. All of our care workers visiting clients’ homes are taking all necessary measures to ensure you stay safe.
This information sheet from the Department of Health explains the steps that aged care workers are taking to protect you from coronavirus (COVID-19).
At Prestige, we continue to follow this advice from the Department of Health and all other government guidelines as part of our ongoing measures to safeguard our clients, staff and community.
Visit the Department of Health’s It’s OK to have in-home care information sheet here.
Vaccinations
For more information about eligibility and where you can get your vaccination, click here.
For Victorians
For NSW
If you or any household members have a fever, cold/flu symptoms, or have had contact with any suspected or confirmed COVID-19 case, please call our office immediately on 1300 10 30 10 to notify us and reschedule services.
All Prestige clients are urged to read our latest letter on our Coronavirus Response: Click Here
Our nurses and carers are fully trained in infection control and prevention procedures, including good hand hygiene.
All our staff will be screening each client prior to visiting and if a client or member of the household is unwell, we’ll work with our clients to reschedule their care.
We have encouraged all our staff to get the annual flu vaccination and encourage you and your loved ones to get vaccinated to help reduce the spread of influenza.
Prestige has comprehensive infection prevention practices in place and provides personal protective equipment to our employees. We continue to adhere to:
all aiding to mitigate the impact of the virus.
At Prestige, we have had one confirmed case of coronavirus with a staff member to date. Thanks to our strict infection control procedures, it has not spread to any of our clients or other staff members. Our staff member is recovering well, but this acts as a reminder of the importance of our infection control and prevention procedures and working together to stop the spread.
The Department of Health has mandated PPE that must be worn by all health and community care workers across Victoria and areas in New South Wales. Masks must be worn for all staff across Victoria and New South Wales. We have provided all necessary PPE to our care workers, including surgical masks and gloves.
Click on the Download button below to view a handy infosheet from the Department of Health listing six steps you can take and hygiene practice you can follow in your own home to help stop the spread.
The Australian Government has launched a new COVID-19 training program at https://covid-19training.gov.au/. This training is for care workers across all settings, including aged care (both in residential aged care facilities or with visiting carers at home, including cleaners and cooks).
Our staff have been provided with masks and we will continue to do so, until otherwise advised by the Department of Health.
How does a face mask stop the spread of infection?
A face mask acts as a simple barrier to help prevent droplets from travelling into the air, onto surfaces or onto other people when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks. COVID-19 can still be spread from an infected person who is asymptomatic. This is why the we are now enforcing everyone to wear one; protecting others from yourself.
How to put on a medical face mask?
How to remove a face mask?
Medical face masks should be thrown out if they become wet, soiled or damaged.
If you are wearing a cloth mask you should wash your mask in hot water every day, but if your mask is clean and remains dry, you can store it in a clean, resealable plastic bag.
Prestige continues to receive updates on resources and advice from the Federal and State health authorities. It is vital we safeguard our providers of in-home care in order to minimise infection-related risks. As information is provided we constantly share it with our employees so they can provide the best care for you or your loved one.
The Australian Government has a prepared information sheet for recipients of home care services. It outlines that we must implement standard and transmission‑based precautions to prevent and control infection, advice on preparing equipment, cleaning and working with recipients in care.
We are clearly communicating to our staff that monitoring their own health will help ensure our clients are protected and safe, and frequently notifying them of any change to processes and priorities.
To access the Government information sheet for health care face to face: Click Here
Prestige is reviewing its clinical governance processes and how they apply to the current situation, which may change rapidly. We have adopted a systematic approach to maintain and improve the quality of our clients’ care. We have also identified any staff members in risk groups and/or unable to deliver face-to-face care (depending on the individual circumstance). We are mindful of keeping records of training relating to infection prevention and control, and identified moments of hand hygiene.
To view the latest COVID-19 health alert from the Department of Health click here.
Despite the success in suppressing the virus, the Victorian outbreak has shown that social distancing rules must be maintained at least until a vaccine or effective treatment is found.
Relative to those in care, the Government has also provided guidelines for maintaining good hygiene and, the access and use of PPE. Prestige provides PPE to their carers to protect them from infection while caring for someone with suspected or confirmed COVID-19, as well as information regarding the Do’s and Don’ts of wearing a face mask.
Older Persons COVID-19 Support Line
The Older Persons COVID-19 Support Line provides information and support to senior Australians, their families and carers. Call Monday to Friday, except public holidays, from 8.30am to 6pm.
The government has a helpful Factsheet for Older Australians on COVID-19: Click Here
For more information on government advice for older people: Click Here
The situation for Australia often changes. Now, each state and territory governments have different restrictions in place. Please take the time to visit the website relevant to your state or territory for more information.
Although, special restrictions still remain in place for aged care facilities to protect older Australians (revised 21 April) by the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC). Click here
The COVIDSafe app, which is part of the Australian government’s work to slow the spread of COVID-19, provides up to date information and advice. Take advantage of checking your symptoms, getting information and urgent updates (such as the quick containment of an outbreak or revised restrictions) and finds close contacts of COVID-19 cases. The app speeds up the current manual process of finding people who have been in close contact with someone with COVID-19. This means you’ll be contacted more quickly if you are at risk and reduces the chances of you passing on the virus to your family, friends and other people in the community.
This app is entirely voluntary and downloading the app is something you can do to protect you, your family and friends and save the lives of other Australians.
Prestige has comprehensive infection prevention practices in place and provides personal protective equipment to our employees. We continue to adhere to:
The Australian Government has launched a new COVID-19 training program at https://covid-19training.gov.au/. This training is for care workers across all settings, including aged care (both in residential aged care facilities or with visiting carers at home, including cleaners and cooks).
Avoid leaving your house for any non-essential activity.
Stay at home unless you are:
Medical services, supermarkets, banks, petrol stations, postal and home delivery services remain open.
Symptoms of coronavirus include:
If you are sick and think you might have coronavirus, seek medical help.
You can call the National Coronavirus Helpline for information.
If you require translating or interpreting services, call 131 450.
Always practise good hygiene, wash your hands for 20 seconds with soap and water, cover your coughs, avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
Maintain social distance of at least 1.5 metres when outside your home.
Try and …
Note – there are revised restrictions for:
Prestige have trained staff who will enable you or your loved one to continue to live self-sufficiently with comfort while living at home for longer, without compromising privacy, safety or personal attention.
Our team of care providers visiting your home are taking all the necessary measures to ensure you and your loved one stay safe. This includes following advice from Australia’s Chief Medical Officer about when to use protective equipment.
At Prestige we adhere to
medical advice to protect you, your loved one and themselves.
Further, we have been instructed that most of the time our staff are not required to wear personal protective equipment such as masks, gloves, aprons or gowns, and protective eyewear. However, personal protective equipment must be worn if:
Any of our staff displaying symptoms of COVID-19 are NOT allowed to work and our testing procedures have been paramount.
Prestige staff, through our inhome support services can provide:
As we move towards a COVIDSafe Australia, it is important for people at greater risk of serious illness if they get COVID-19 to take extra steps to protect themselves.
You or your loved one should maintain good hygiene and take care when interacting with other people. The best defences includes:
Remember, it’s important to still feel connected, happy and healthy in your own home, as well as keeping up normal daily routines, (eating well, drinking enough water, exercising and sleeping well).
Also, stay connected with your family, friends and your local community. Using technology like phone, email or social media. This can more difficult for our aged clients, which is why we have care workers who regularly visit to improve their quality of life.
It is also important to get a daily dose of fresh air and vitamin D, whether you’re out and about, down the street, private yard or balcony. Keep your mental health strong!
The best way to prevent and slow down transmission is be well informed about COVID-19 virus. Protect yourself and others from infection by washing your hands or using an alcohol based rub frequently and not touching your face.
The COVID-19 virus spreads primarily through droplets of saliva or discharge from the nose when an infected person coughs or sneezes, so it’s important that you also practice respiratory etiquette (for example, by coughing into a flexed elbow).
At this time, there are no specific vaccines or treatments for COVID-19. However, there are many ongoing clinical trials evaluating potential treatments. WHO will continue to provide updated information as soon as clinical findings become available.
For further information: your questions answered; travel advice; situation reports; media resources; research and development; strategy and planning; operations; and mythbusters. Click here
Department of Health Coronavirus Health Alert
Department of Health Advice for the Health and Aged care sector
Department of Health Fact sheet for Older Australians
If you have any questions or concerns, our team are available to support you 24/7 on 1300 10 30 10
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