COVID-19 Statement
The health, safety and wellbeing of all residents and staff is our highest priority, as we work through this pandemic. The Outbreak Management Committee meet regularly to monitor government advice, review local outbreaks, consider the risk to our homes, and take appropriate action as required. With this in mind, we have made a number of important changes to the way we provide care and support for residents, and to ensure we have the agility to make changes as quickly as necessary, as the situation evolves.
Life inside Lifeview homes continues to be as “normal” as possible during this time, with residents free to move about the home, socialise and undertake their daily activities. Our dedicated Social Support teams continue to support all residents with engaging activities, in line with their preferences and interests.
Alternative communication strategies for residents to remain connected to their loved ones remain in place and include window visits, video calls (FaceTime, Zoom and Skype) and phone calls, should you not feel comfortable visiting inside the home.
Lifeview has rigorous plans and procedures in place to support our homes and to minimise the risk of COVID‑19. These include:
- A COVID-Safe Plan
- A Residential Outbreak Management Plan
- A robust Emergency Response Plan
- COVID-19 Policy, outlining clear guidelines and implemented preventative measures
- The use of personal protective equipment - staff wear continue to wear face masks at all times
- Daily temperature and symptom checks, which are a feature of our infection control plans, for all residents, staff, contractors and external visitors i.e. medical and allied health personnel
- Training in infection prevention and control, which is mandatory for all employees
- Strong supply chains for personal protective equipment – items including masks, gloves, face shields and gowns. We regularly monitor stock levels and usage and have supplies available to meet anticipated future requirements
- Employees are required to follow the recommendations and guidelines issued by the government for the reporting of potential exposure to COVID-19, while waiting for a COVID-19 test result, or displaying any COVID-19 symptoms
- Regular surveillance testing of all staff and visitors to our homes
What happens if one of our homes has a positive case of COVID-19?
Lifeview has a robust Emergency Response Plan, which will be implemented if there is an outbreak in any of our homes. For aged care, an outbreak is one positive case in a resident or staff member. This plan is regularly tested, updated and modified as required and has been reviewed and endorsed, by government authorities, and the Victorian Aged Care Response Centre (VACRC).
In the event that a resident tests positive for COVID-19, we will immediately implement our Emergency Response Plan and report the case to the relevant public health units.
We will continue to take advice from the relevant health authorities and implement the following:
- Immediate testing of all residents in the home
- All positive residents will be isolated to their rooms
- All staff will wear required PPE when caring for positive residents
- Further increased cleaning procedures
- Daily screening and temperature checking will be increased to three times per day for residents
- Any staff member who tests positive will self-isolate and will not return to work until they have received clearance from the relevant health authorities
- Additional staff allocated to the home to ensure resident wellbeing
- The possible transfer of residents to hospital on a case-by-case basis
- Resident Outbreak Wellbeing Care Plan
- Daily mental health checks for residents
Please note – these actions serve as a guideline only as each and every case is assessed depending on the situation and the advice from the relevant health authorities
How will we keep you informed?
We have sought the preference of representatives on frequency of communication in the event there is a positive case of COVID-19 in one of our homes. This particular communication piece is a personal clinical / health update. It is not an overview of actions underway in the home, news in relation to other staff or residents, or any other information, which is of a general nature.
We will communicate with the primary contact for each resident – it will be the responsibility of this primary contact to update other family members.
Resident representatives have access to their loved one’s care plans and records of daily activities, via the Relatives Gateway.
End of Life Care
Arrangements have been and are in place for end of life care. We have not and will not stop you being with your loved one during this sensitive time. If you are faced with this situation please be assured we will work with you to ensure appropriate access to and care of your loved one.
Visiting Restrictions
We will very rarely close our homes to visitors. Visiting will still be available during outbreaks but with additional infection control requirements.
New or Prospective Residents
Coronavirus has not reduced demand for aged care, and our homes continue to accept and tour new residents.
Anyone entering the home must test prior and wear a mask.
We will do our best to assist new residents to access the COVID-19 vaccine, if they wish to do so.
Visitor Behavioural Expectations
As a responsible aged care provider, we continue to remain committed to our visitor guidelines and infection control procedures to ensure we provide a safe and secure environment for all residents, families and staff.
The responses we have received from most families and residents have been positive and we thank you for your patience in adhering to our visitor guidelines and screening process. However, if you do not agree with these processes we ask that you do not take out your frustrations on our staff members.
It is never okay to subject our staff to abuse, threats, bullying or harassment, either physically, verbally or in writing. Please remember these valued team members do not make the laws or rules that govern visitor restrictions or the screening questions we have to ask.
We are committed to providing a quality service, and continually improving care and services - your feedback is a very important part of this process. By letting us know about anything you have noticed, good or bad, or making a suggestion that you think may assist us, we can work together to continuously improve service for everyone.
There are a number of ways you can communicate your feedback to us:
- If a problem occurs, please ask to speak to the Residential Manager at the time. Many problems can be sorted out “on the spot”
- Residents can contact the Resident Advocate - Gill Hynes
- The following external agencies are also available to you:
- Elder Rights Advocacy (Older Persons Advocacy Network); Phone: 1800 700 600 Email: era@era.asn.au
- The Aged Care Quality & Safety Commission (Commission); Phone: 1800 951 822 Website: www.agedcarequality.gov.au
We encourage visitors to our homes to treat our staff respectfully and courteously at all times. We take these obligations extremely seriously and ask all visitors to comply with Lifeview’s Visitor Code of Conduct.
Our View: Lifeview is trusted, respected, consumer focused, inclusive and innovative