We are pleased to note all staff and residents at Drysdale Grove have received at least their first dose COVID Vaccination with the majority fully vaccinated.

We are all looking forward to welcoming visitors back to Drysdale Grove as soon as the Chief Health Officer has deemed it is safe to do so. However there remains a significant risk of transmission with restrictions remaining in place for high-risk environments such as Aged Care.

As at the 28th of September the Care Facilities Directions have not changed which means Visitors are only permitted into aged care or other sensitive settings for end-of-life and essential care and support reasons.

Visitor restrictions

Visitors are not permitted into aged care or other residential facility settings, except for end-of-life and essential care and support reasons listed below. 

Restrictions on visitors (End-of-life support)

• Two visitors at a time (do not have to be from the same household)
• No time limits or daily limit on the number of visitors for end of life care visits

Restrictions on Visitors (essential care and support reasons):

• Two visitors at one time (do not have to be from the same household)
• No time limits
• No more than two visitors per day, excluding dependents

Definition of essential care and support reasons:

• To provide essential care or support for the residents immediate physical or emotional wellbeing, including support for people living with dementia. Note this may include a person who is visiting to prevent harm to a person’s mental or emotional health due to social isolation
• As an interpreter or to provide language support
• For learning to support the patient or resident’s care upon discharge
• As a nominated person under the Mental Health Act

If you are visiting for permitted reasons, please follow these guidelines during your visit:

• Please contact the home manager, lead clinical staff in charge or administration staff in prior to coming
  to the home so we can book a suitable a visiting time;
• All Visitors and workers (including non-essential staff and contractors) are required to wear face masks when
  in any indoor and outdoor space.  Visitors must not have a temperature of 37.5 degrees Celsius or more;
• Upon entry, use hand sanitiser for 20 seconds
• Report to reception, have your temperature checked and complete the new electronic sign-in declaration and the state government QR sign-in;
• Visitors must follow infection control procedures, such as regular handwashing and social distancing with staff, residents and your loved one. Visitors are also required to wear single-use OC Health supplied masks at all times while inside the residence, even in a resident’s room;
• When wearing your face mask, it MUST cover your nose and mouth at all times.
• If you are unwell at any time after your visit, please alert the Residence Manager immediately.

Visitors are not be permitted to enter a care facility if you:

• are awaiting a COVID-19 test result (unless you are being tested in accordance with the Surveillance Testing Industry List and Requirements)
• are unwell with any symptoms of COVID-19 or have a temperature of 37.5 degrees Celsius or higher,
  or any symptoms of a fever such as night sweats or chills
• have arrived in Australia within the last 14 days, unless you have come from a green travel zone via a ‘quarantine-free flight’
• have had known contact in the past 14 days with a person who was a confirmed case of COVID-19, or are self-isolating and have not yet been given clearance to exit
• have visited a Tier 1 exposure site and have been advised to immediately isolate, get a COVID-19 test, and remain isolated for 14 days.
• are self-isolating and have not yet been given clearance to exit
• are under 16 years, except if your presence is for the purpose of providing end of life support for a resident and:
  • you are a child, grandchild, sibling, or have a kinship relation to the resident; or
  • you are a child or dependant of a permitted visitor and the visitor cannot access alternative care arrangements; or
  • you have permission from the home and the Chief Health Officer.

Please keep in touch with your loved ones through electronic means such as face time or window visits which can be arranged through contacting Lifestyle staff on the details below.

We will publishing regular updates to the Drysdale Grove website which can be found in the following link www.drysdaleagedcare.com.au

If you need further support, you can also contact the Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN) on 1800 700 600.

Should you have any questions please free to call the administration team on 03 5251 1230 or email drysdale@ochealth.com.au at any time if you have any questions or concerns.

In the meantime, please stay safe and healthy.

Sincerely,

Drysdale Grove Aged Care
October 8th, 2021