COVID-19 - Things you need to know from The Department of Health

What is a coronavirus and COVID-19?

Coronaviruses can make humans and animals sick. Some coronaviruses can cause illness similar to the common cold and others can cause more serious diseases, including Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS). This new coronavirus originated in Hubei Province, China and the disease outbreak is named COVID-19.

How can COVID-19 be spread?

The coronavirus is most likely to spread from person-to-person through -
•  Direct close contact with a person while they are infectious
•  Close contact with a person with a confirmed infection who coughs or sneezes,
•  Touching objects or surfaces (such as door handles or tables) contaminated from a cough or sneeze from a person with a confirmed infection, and then touching your mouth or face

Most infections are only transmitted by people when they have symptoms. These can include fever, a cough, sore throat, tiredness and shortness of breath.

Symptoms of COVID-19

Symptoms of COVID-19 can include -
•  Fevers
•  Coughing
•  A Sore Throat
•  Tiredness
•  Shortness of Breath

Not everybody will show all, if not any of the symptoms but could still potentially be infected with COVID-19.

How can we help stop the spread of COVID-19?

Practising good hand, sneezing and coughing hygiene is the best defence against most viruses. You should -
• Wash your hands frequently with soap and water, before and after eating, and after going to the toilet
• Cover your cough and sneeze, dispose of tissues, and use alcohol-based hand sanitiser
• If unwell, avoid contact with others (stay more than 1.5 metres from people .and call your GP (don’t go without phoning) or the COVID-19 helpline on 1800 020 080.

Who is most at risk of COVID-19 serious illness?

Some people who are infected may not get any symptoms at all, some will get mild symptoms from which
they will recover easily, where as others may become very ill and very quickly. From previous experience
with other coronaviruses, the people at most risk of serious infection are -
• People with compromised immune systems (e.g. cancer).
• The Elderly People.
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people (as they have higher rates of chronic illness).
• People with diagnosed chronic medical conditions (e.g. heart conditions, asthma, diabetes).
• Very young children and babies.
• People in group residential settings.

Should I wear a face mask?

You do not need to wear a mask if you are healthy. While the use of masks can help to prevent transmission of disease from infected patients to others, masks are not currently recommended for use by healthy members of the public for the prevention of infections like coronavirus.

Who needs to isolate?

Specific requirements are in place for people who have returned from a country or region that is at high or moderate risk for COVID-19, or think may they have been in close contact with a confirmed case of coronavirus. Go to www.health.gov.au/covid19-travellers for the list of at risk countries and isolation requirements.

Staying informed & protected

Download the official government apps to stay informed and protected. These apps are constantly updated. 
•  COVIDSafe app
•  Coronavirus Australia app

Resource - https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/2020/03/coronavirus-covid-19-what-you-need-to-know_1.pdf

Boosting the social inclusion of LGBTI seniors

NSW health promotion organisation ACON is hosting a free community event for older lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people to help reduce social isolation and promote social connection.

The Sydney event is part of ACON’s LOVE (Living Older Visibly and Engaged) Project that aims to promote the health and wellbeing of the older LGBTI community.

The Social Connections event targets LGBTI people over 55 to encourage the development of support networks and community relationships.

At the event to be held in Glebe, older LGBTI people can learn about ways to connect with local community groups, engage in volunteering opportunities and discover helpful resources.

Activities such as social dancing and self-defence mini classes are also on offer.

For more information or to register for the event, click here.

The event is sponsored by the City of Sydney.

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Access requirements for NDIS

This page contains a detailed summary of the access requirements for becoming a participant in the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

If you are a person with disability who wishes to participate in the NDIS, you must first be assessed against the access requirements.

Availability in your area

To access the NDIS right now, you must live in an area where the NDIS is available. In some of these areas, you also need to be a certain age to access the Scheme.

Until the Scheme has been rolled out in your area, existing Commonwealth, state and territory government funded disability services will continue.

Contact details for Commonwealth, state and territory government disability services are on the Other services in your State or your Territory page.

Find out if the NDIS is available in your area, e.g. New South Wales

For more information view the Our sites page, and the Completing your Access Request page.

Residency Requirements

You may meet the residency requirements if you live in Australia and:

• are an Australian citizen, OR
• hold a Permanent Visa, OR
• hold a Protected Special Category Visa, (i.e. you were in Australia on a Special Category Visa on 26 February 2001, OR had been in Australia for at least 12 months in the 2 years immediately before 26 February 2001 and you returned to Australia after that day)

Disability Requirements

You may meet the disability requirements if:

• you have an impairment or condition that is likely to be permanent (i.e. it is likely to be life long) and
• your impairment substantially reduces your ability to participate effectively in activities, or perform tasks or actions unless you have assistance from other people OR you have assistive technology or equipment (other than common items such as glasses) OR you can't participate effectively even with assistance or aides and equipment and
• your impairment affects your capacity for social and economic participation and
• you are likely to require support under the NDIS for your lifetime.

An impairment that varies in intensity e.g. because the impairment is of a chronic episodic nature may still be permanent, and you may require support under the NDIS for your lifetime, despite the variation.

Early Intervention Requirements

You may meet the early intervention requirements if you have an impairment or condition that is likely to be permanent and there is evidence that getting supports now (early interventions) will help you by:

• reducing how much help you will need to do things because of your impairment in the future and 
• improving or reducing deterioration of your functional capacity or
• helping your family and carers to keep helping you and
• those supports are most appropriately funded through the NDIS, and not through another service system.

OR if you are a child aged under 6 years of age with developmental delay which results in:

• substantially reduced functional capacity in one or more of the areas of self-care, receptive and expressive language, cognitive development or motor development and
• results in the need for a combination and sequence of special interdisciplinary or generic care, treatment or other services which are of extended duration, and are individually planned and coordinated; and
• those supports are most appropriately funded through the NDIS, and not through another service system.

(Source – NDIS Department of Human Services)

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Getting a Home Care Package

If you have decided that you would like to get a Home Care Package, the first step is to arrange an assessment. Once you’ve been assessed and approved, you’ll then need to choose a provider, such as First Call Nursing. 

Being assessed for a Home Care Package

Before you can get a Home Care Package, you’ll need to check your eligibility and have an assessment.

Checking your eligibility

Home Care Packages are meant for older people, but there is no minimum age requirement.

There are no citizenship or residency restrictions on Home Care Packages, however, they are not meant for visitors to Australia or people who need only temporary or short-term care. If you want short-term care, the Commonwealth Home Support Program might be a better option for you.

ACAT assessments

Home Care Package assessments are done by the Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT), or ACAS in Victoria. An ACAT professional visits you in your home to find out about your needs. They assess whether you are eligible for a Home Care Package (or other assistance) and what level of help you will need.

ACAT assessments are free.

Arranging an assessment

To arrange an ACAT assessment, call My Aged Care on 1800 200 422. You can ask for an interpreter if you need one.

Before you call, have your Medicare card ready and the contact details of your doctor and a family member. You may also like to prepare by writing down a few things that are starting to be challenging for you.

My Aged Care will ask you some questions about: 

• your living arrangements
• your health and wellbeing
• things you find difficult to do
• support you are currently receiving.

Based on your answers, My Aged Care will work out whether you need an ACAT assessment or an assessment for a different service, like the Commonwealth Home Support Program. They will help to arrange an assessment for a time that suits you.

During the assessment

During the assessment visit, the ACAT member (usually a nurse, social worker or other health care professional) will ask questions about how well you are managing in your day-to-day life. They will also explain the assessment process.

The assessment is an opportunity for you to share what is important to you and what support would make a difference in your life. It might be helpful to think about this before the visit.

You can have a friend, family member, partner, carer or advocate with you during the assessment. To find a local advocate, contact the National Aged Care Advocacy Line on 1800 700 600.

After the assessment

After the assessment, the ACAT will write to you with the outcome and explain what level of Home Care Package you are eligible for.  

If you disagree with your assessment you can appeal the decision. Alternatively, discuss your concerns with an advocate by calling the National Aged Care Advocacy Line on 1800 700 600.

Once you have been assessed and approved, you decide if you want to accept the services. It’s your life and your choice. Some older people are worried that having an assessment means a fast-track into a nursing home. The truth is that most people will be linked into community care services that help them stay living in their own home.

Source: Homecaretoday

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Tips for avoiding caregiver burnout

Some older adults need only a little assistance from family caregivers; for example, transport to and from the grocery store. Others need a lot of help with daily activities like eating, bathing, dressing, taking medications and managing money. And over time, an older adult often needs increasing help from caregivers.

While caring for an older family member can be a rewarding experience, it can also be stressful and frustrating, especially if the older adult has dementia or needs around-the-clock care.

Most family caregivers are spouses or children. They may have age-related health problems of their own; or they may have small children to care for, or work outside the home, or all of these. Sometimes, providing care for an older relative can be extremely distressing and lead to 'caregiver burnout', so it's important to get help before care-giving becomes overwhelming. If you’re caring for an older loved one:

Get information: 

Learn as much as you can about your loved one’s health problems and needs and how these are likely to change over time. This will help you plan and prepare for these changes. Learning about options for care that your loved one may need in the future – such as help from a home aide, or assisted living or nursing home care – can also help you prepare for and feel more secure about your loved one’s future.

Help your loved ones to help themselves: 

Doing something as simple as putting a special, no-slip seat in the shower or bath; installing “grab bars” in the bathroom and near your loved one’s bed: moving kitchen supplies to lower shelves; or getting easy-grip can openers and other utensils can make it possible for an older relative to keep doing certain things independently.

Ask trustworthy family, friends and neighbours for assistance:

Perhaps a neighbour can take your mother to the grocery store once a week, or your sister could help make meals for mum on weekends. Explain what needs to be done, but try not to criticize if others don’t care for your loved one in exactly the way you would. The important thing is that their needs are met.

Take care of yourself, too: 

Eating well, exercising, and taking time to relax and enjoy yourself are key to avoiding burnout. If you look after yourself you’ll be able to take better care of your ageing family member. Don’t take it personally If your older relative has dementia or other mental or emotional problems, they may act out or say hurtful things. Remind yourself that this behavior is a result of their illness, and try not to take it to heart.

Talk about it:

Talking about your experiences and feelings can make care giving less stressful. Joining a caregiver support group in your area will give you a chance to share your thoughts, feelings and information with others in similar circumstances.

Contact professionals and organisations that assist caregivers: 

A wide array of programs, agencies, organisations, and individuals in your community can help you manage the challenges of caring for an older relative, and help you locate the following kinds of help:

• Financial: seek assistance and advice on paying for the services your loved one needs; including assistance completing necessary paper work.
• Transportation: to take your loved one shopping or to and from medical appointments. Or perhaps out to community based centres to see friends.
• Meals: seek help in preparing meals in your loved one’s home, and get meals delivered.
• Respite care services: we send trained helpers to your loved one’s home so you can take a break
• Reliable 'home helpers': people who can visit your loved one for an hour or two at a time to help with bathing, light housekeeping, cooking, and errands
• Adult day care: centres where your older loved one can go for several hours during the day for care supervised by health care staff. This care usually includes social programs, recreation and meals. Special adult day care programs are available for people with dementia, depression and social problems.
• Home nursing services: including visits from registered nurses, private duty nurses and  aides in nursing.

First Call is here to help:

First Call Nursing offers a wide range of home care and community services, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call us 02 9600 6612 to discuss how we can help. 

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