Information for families and friends of the people we support 20 November 2020

Information for families and friends of the people we support

Update as at 20 November 2020

Accommodation Services is working to protect the people we support and each other from the COVID-19 cluster in Adelaide.

For people who were unable to join our online family forum on Wednesday, the one-hour video recording can be viewed below.

Under current circuit-breaker restrictions, the limits on disability and aged care services in South Australia which took effect from midnight Wednesday will now ease on Sunday morning to the arrangements that were in place earlier this week. These are part of South Australia’s COVID-19 response, which is constantly updated.

For now

These restrictions continue to have considerable impact on the way we work and provide support to your family member or friend, including:

Visiting

We are supporting your family member or friend to connect with you using video and phone calls (Zoom, FaceTime and Microsoft Teams are available on the house iPads).

Essential medical or allied-health appointments

We are continuing to support your family and friends with healthcare appointments with allied health professionals.

Exemptions for supporting people outside the home

Our Positive Behaviour Support Team is addressing instances and strategies where there may be serious concern around some people we support.

Community participation is not available - including day activities

All staff are required to wear face masks in the homes if they cannot maintain social distancing requirements.

To best protect the people we support and our staff we are requiring staff wear face masks in homes where they cannot safely distance and while attending to personal care.

Temperature checking

This is not being introduced into homes at this point however staff are being encouraged to stay away from the workplace if they are unwell.

From Sunday

Visiting

Visiting can resume, however families and friends are encouraged to avoid visiting homes and instead use video calls if possible. If visiting, please book ahead to avoid exceeding the limit of 10 people per home and consider outings in socially distanced open spaces.

Non-essential staff avoid visiting the homes (however rest assured that front-line staff are continuing to provide direct support).

Community participation

Community participation – including day activities – can resume according to providers COVID Safe Plans with appropriate social distancing.

Accommodation Services Visitor Questionnaire is still in place

Everyone, including staff who enter a home must complete this questionnaire at the door to help support any contact tracing.

Staff are continually updated with key information

We are continually reminding our staff of protocols around COVID-19 to follow if they or the people they support are potentially exposed to the virus.

Our service currently has appropriate levels of Personal Protective Equipment for the people we support and our staff if required, and we are reminding staff of the correct ways to use this equipment.

Any staff who may be asked to quarantine or who may live with someone who is required to, are directed to stay home and not attend group homes. Any staff who may have symptoms, no matter how mild, are also directed to stay home and get tested.

Hygiene in the homes

We are strictly maintaining good hygiene measures in the homes, including regular hand-washing, social distancing, frequently wiping down surfaces and avoid touching our eyes and face.

If you feel unwell or experience any symptoms, please get tested.

SA Health is constantly adding to its contact tracing locations. Please review these regularly to assess any potential exposure risk.

The SA Government’s COVID-19 website also provides regular updates on the pandemic and SA Health’s COVID-19 FAQs may also provide helpful information.

We appreciate this is a difficult time for you and your family member or friend. Please rest assured that the health and safety of all people we support, our staff and you are our highest priority, and we are continuing to do our best at this challenging time.

How to contact us

If you have any queries about your family member or friend, you can:

• contact your Service Coordinator or Team Leader
• email us at AccomFeedback@sa.gov.au
• phone us on 1800 952 962 (and then press 3)

If you know another family member or friend who would like to receive this e-newsletter, please encourage them to sign up via the DHS website or phone 1800 952 962.

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Accommodation Services online forum for family and friends – 18 November 2020

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