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 as far as possible, adhere to 1.5m physical distancing.
As you are aware, there is a growing cluster of Covid-19 cases in Sydney’s northern beaches, particularly around two public venues in Avalon. While this situation is still emerging and case numbers are small, it’s important that all members of the Greater Sydney area take precautions for their own health and to help stop the spread.
In response, NSW Health has updated its directives for health care providers, including the requirement for workers providing in-home care services in the northern beaches region to use surgical masks at all times during service, and all our care team members have been made aware of this requirement.
Prestige is also taking the step of strongly recommending the use of masks for our workers, our clients and their families when in busy public areas, supermarkets, shopping centres and places of worship across the Greater Sydney area.
We also encourage you to follow established CovidSafe practices of social distancing, good hand hygiene and getting tested if you show even the mildest of symptoms. If you or any members of your household are experiencing symptoms of a fever, dry cough, fatigue, respiratory difficulties, or a loss of taste or smell, please notify our office before our care team members visit so we can work with you to ensure everyone’s safety.
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 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.
For those in Melbourne under stage 4 restrictions, community services is one of the business which are able to continue providing services. This means we are able to support you in your home. There will be changes to shopping and community transport shifts, but we will work with you to ensure we following the directions set out by the Victorian Government.
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 maintaining and improving 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.
Currently the Department of Health has identified confirmed cases including those who receive in-home care since 22 January. The bottom axis shows the Australian total and each state and territory (majority of cases reported are in NSW).
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
