All aged care providers must “enable and support” families and friends to be able to visit residents safely over the holiday period, the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission has said in a statement.
“We are all looking to reconnect with people who matter to us,” the statement said.
It is important that providers take “proactive steps” to enable people in aged care to enjoy the company of their loved ones in person, said Commissioner, Janet Anderson PSM.
The recent restrictions on visitor access in aged care homes “can lead to loneliness, anxiety and depression,” the statement said.
“The risks of COVID-19 infection are now low when sensible precautions are taken.”
Anderson has written to all aged care providers requesting they focus on both ensuring best practice infection prevention and supporting the physical, social and emotional wellbeing of residents by ensuring they have regular access to family and friends.
The Commission has started a visitor access campaign this month, which will continue into 2021, to support the transition of the aged care sector into a COVID-normal operating environment. This campaign will provide resources and guidance for aged care consumers, their families and approved providers to manage safe visitor access.
“Doing everything possible to ensure people receiving aged care are safe from the COVID-19 virus is vitally important,” Anderson said.
“Of equal importance is supporting the physical, social and emotional wellbeing of residents in aged care facilities and ensuring they have regular access to family and friends all year round, and particularly at this time of year.
“Residents, families and the wider community expect that approved providers of residential aged care services are addressing both safety and access imperatives, and the Commission is looking for providers to demonstrate how they are reflecting this in their visitor arrangements.
“When monitoring and assessing providers in relation to the Aged Care Quality Standards, the Commission seeks evidence of how a service assesses the current risks of both COVID-19 and the impact of visitor restrictions on individual residents.
“The Commission expects that all approved providers will appreciate the risks to residents caused by isolation and ensure appropriate visitor access.
“Where visitor access risks are identified, the Commission will undertake unannounced visitor access spot checks. Further regulatory action may be taken to ensure that the provider is meeting their obligations under the Aged Care Quality Standards.”
The Commission’s visitor access campaign includes:
For support, the Older Persons Advocacy Network organisations can assist with a range of free Advocacy, Information and Education services. Call them on 1800 700 600.
If anyone has a concern about visitor access to an aged care service, complaints can be made via the Commission’s website www.agedcarequality.gov.au or by calling 1800 951 822.
