RetireAustralia Coronavirus update: 30 March 2020

Published: 30 March 2020

Thanks again for your tremendous support and cooperation over the last few weeks. There have been significant changes for all of our residents, your families and our teams across our communities.

We’re so appreciative of the speed at which everyone is adapting to the ever-evolving circumstances.

Government measures

Over the weekend, Federal Government announced further measures to slow the spread of Coronavirus. The ones most relevant to our communities are:

Strong advice that people aged 70 and over, and those with existing health conditions should self-isolate at home to the maximum extent practicable for their own protection. Also, that these groups should limit contact with others as much as possible.
If people leave their homes they may be accompanied by the people they live with or, alternatively with no more than one other person who isn’t part of their household. It will be up to states to enforce this. Queensland has issued a Public Health Order about this, which clearly states the requirements.

What this means for our communities

We urge all our residents to please stay in your homes as much as possible and to limit visits to what is essential.

Visits to, and trips from, our communities

A reminder to please limit visits and trips to what is essential:
- Personal/ home care
- Food, medication and essential supplies
- Compassionate reasons
Discourage children under 16 from visiting your community.
Ensure visits are conducted in a residence or outdoors, rather than community areas.

Care apartments

A reminder that visiting hours are between 10am and 3pm Monday to Friday, or by arrangement with the Village Manager.
All visits from children under 16 are put on hold.

New sign-in procedure for communities

You will start to see new sign-in procedures in your community this week. This will better manage village access in line with government requirements.
This includes asking visitors if their visit is essential and requesting they complete a health declaration. This form makes it clear that visitors are not welcome if they are unwell or required to be in self-isolation. It also provides a register to assist health authorities trace people who might be subsequently exposed to COVID-19.

If residents do leave their homes

We understand that residents may still need to go out to get groceries and medication.

If you do have to leave your home and interact with people from outside your immediate household, please:

Practise social distancing, including maintaining a distance of 1.5 metres.
Limit the group size to a maximum of two people and maintain a social distance of 1.5 metres between each other.

We know this is challenging, however this is how we keep each other safe from COVID-19.

Additional support

The current situation can feel isolating and overwhelming, but we’re in this together. We are offering independent living residents a daily wellness check-in.If you’re interested in a wellness check-in, please complete the form we sent you last week and return it to your Village Manager.

We are also looking at how we can support our communities with access to groceries and food if needed. This is an alternative to your families and friends dropping off your shopping in the village.

Remember, staying at home and limiting your visitors will save lives.

If you have any questions, please call your Village Manager. I will continue to update you regularly.

If you’re interested in a wellness check-in, please check your post box in the village for a sign-up slip, complete it and return it to your Village Manager.

Subscribe to get COVID-19 email updates

Do you, a family member, carer or friend want to keep up-to-date with RetireAustralia’s response to COVID-19 and what this means for visiting our communities?

To get these COVID-19 updates delivered direct to your inbox, please sign up here: www.retireaustralia.com.au/signup.

If you have any questions, please call your Village Manager. We will continue to update you regularly as the situation develops.