CatholicCare continues to provide Home Care services to seniors during this time of uncertainty
Home Care is considered an essential service and should be maintained for your ongoing health and wellbeing.
As the outbreak of COVID-19 (Coronavirus) impacts Australian communities, the focus is on protecting those who are vulnerable or at risk. The message to seniors is clear: stay home and self-isolate.
What these recommendations do not suggest, however, is stopping your essential services, such as home care, which should be maintained for your ongoing health and wellbeing. Services such as grocery shopping, housework and personal care are essential services; without them you may have limited or no support at all and be isolated in your home with no one to care for you during this time of uncertainty.
“I have received a lot of phone calls from panicked and scared Home Care clients over the past couple of weeks, it’s been absolutely heart breaking to hear the concerns and a joy to be able to talk with them and comfort them.” Says Catherine Gonzaga, Home Care Specialist, CatholicCare Sydney. “What a lot of seniors don’t realise is that there are many ways that we can provide Home Care services that will ensure theirs and their Care Support Worker’s safety until the current situation improves. For example, instead of going out for their weekly grocery shop together the Care Support Worker can do the grocery shop for them or create an online grocery delivery account and have the groceries delivered to their door.”
CatholicCare understands that seniors and their families have heightened concerns and are taking all necessary precautions to keep staff and clients safe. Many seniors may not be considering how long this situation may continue for and therefore how long you may go without support if you elect to suspend these essential services. Continuing your services will enable us to effectively support your essential day-to-day and long-term health care needs.
What a lot of seniors don’t realise is that there are many ways that we can provide Home Care services that will ensure theirs and their Care Support Worker’s safety until the current situation improves
“The health and safety of our clients and staff are our greatest priority,” says Kerryn Tutt, General Manager, Home Care Division, CatholicCare Sydney. “We remain vigilant and are taking all necessary precautions. All of our Home Care staff and clinical care team are trained in universal infection control procedures and are following the Commonwealth Government guidelines issued to Home Care providers”, Kerryn adds. Additionally, The Department of Health is providing advice and communication for use by aged care providers for their staff and CatholicCare are communicating all updates to our team. We are monitoring updates daily from government and related agencies in relation to COVID-19.
In light of these concerns CatholicCare Home Care would like to assure all clients that it is continuing to provide Home Care services throughout this time of uncertainty.
CatholicCare will also be conducting welfare telephone checks. The purpose is to first and foremost check on the health of our clients, and secondly to ensure that socially isolated seniors are provided with food and supplies to stay safe and healthy during this time of need.
If you are a senior (or know of someone who is) and need help to stay safe and independent in your own home, you may be eligible to receive support.
Call CCareline on 13 18 19 to find out what senior home care services are available to you.
