Home care visits and veterans

The Chief Medical Officer’s advice is that keeping up with regular home care and health care is just as important as protecting yourself from coronavirus. 

Have regular contact with your doctor and call them if you are concerned about any of your health conditions. They may be able to provide care over the phone or via tele-conference. Face to face care is still available.

The Chief Medical Officer’s advice is that any aged care worker who is suspected of having the virus, displaying symptoms or diagnosed with COVID-19 is not allowed to work – and to be sure, workers displaying symptoms are being tested for the virus. 

The advice about the use of protective equipment is that most of the time your aged care worker does not need to wear personal protective equipment, like protective eyewear, masks, gloves, aprons or gowns.

However, personal protective equipment must be worn by your aged care worker if:

  • you have been diagnosed with COVID-19 
  • you are suspected of having COVID-19 or 
  • you are displaying symptoms of COVID-19

Veterans can be assured that aged care workers are following the best medical advice to protect you and themselves from COVID-19.

In general, good hygiene and taking care when interacting with other people are the best defences you and your family have against contracting coronavirus. 

This includes: 

  • covering your coughs and sneezes with your elbow or a tissue 
  • disposing of used tissues immediately into a rubbish bin and washing your hands 
  • washing your hands often with soap and water, including before and after eating and after going to the toilet, and when you have been out to the shops or other places 
  • using alcohol-based hand sanitisers (60% alcohol), where available 
  • cleaning and disinfecting frequently used surfaces and objects 
  • stay at home and avoid physical contact with others, except when you need assistance or care 
  • avoid non-essential travel 
  • consider having the chemist deliver your medicines 
  • consider having your groceries and essential items delivered to your home 
  • stay 1.5 metres away — two arms’ length — from other people, when you can 

Further information:

  • About COVID-19, please phone the National Coronavirus Helpline on 1800 020 080 or go to health.gov.au  
  • If you need to find out more about the Department of Health’s support services, contact My Aged Care by phoning 1800 200 422. 
  • If you have any concerns about your Aged Care services, or carer, please contact your aged care service provider.
  • If you have any questions about your VHC services or you wish to make changes to your services, please call a VHC Assessment Agency on 1300 550 450.
     
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