Anglicare Australia is calling on the Federal Government to begin planning for aged care services to live with Covid-19.
This follows the release of Anglicare Australia’s Reopening and Reconnecting paper, calling for action in five key areas to keep older Australians safe.
“Vaccination rates are climbing across the country. Governments are announcing their plans to reopen and shift to Covid-normal,” said Anglicare Australia Executive Director Kasy Chambers.
“Like everyone else, older people and their families are excited about reconnecting. But to open up safely, there must be a plan to keep people safe.
“Older people in aged care have already borne the brunt of the pandemic. There were problems planning for the virus in aged care in 2020, followed by a slow start to vaccinations for workers in 2021.
“The Government must not repeat these mistakes again.
“As aged care providers begin to open up to visitors and community, they will be looking to the Government for leadership – and a clear plan for a safe reopening.
“We call on the Government to learn from the past, and work with us to plan for Covid-normal in aged care.”
Anglicare Australia’s Reopening and Reconnecting: Planning for Covid-Normal in Aged Care paper calls on the Government to act in five areas:
- Consistency across states and territories
- Rapid Antigen Testing
- Ventilation and air flow
- Boosters for people vaccinated early
- Workforce strategies.