How RetireAustralia is responding to COVID-19

RetireAustralia is closely monitoring the evolving situation with coronavirus and responding to the Australian Governments’ advice. Our number one priority is the health and wellbeing of our residents and staff.

We are not aware of anyone working or living in our villages who has been affected by COVID-19 so far.

Our COVID-19 response team are focusing on prevention and preparing us to care for staff and residents should they become unwell with COVID-19.

 

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Last updated: 31 March 2020.

The health and wellbeing of our residents and staff is our top priority. Here’s what we are doing in response to Coronavirus (COVID-19). 

Prevention

  • Reviewed and enhanced our Infection Control policies and procedures.
  • Mandatory training for all staff about Infection Control policies and procedures.
  • Handwashing training for all staff.
  • Village staff are required to sign a health declaration each time they come to work.
  • Implemented clear guidelines for staff about not coming to work if they have been in contact with someone with COVID-19, have travelled overseas or have any symptoms of Coronavirus or the flu.
  • Arranged for all Support Office staff to work from home.
  • Increased education, reminders and promotional materials for residents, staff, visitors and suppliers about hand washing, cough etiquette and staying home if you are sick.
  • Communications and visible signage to self-assess before entering our communities
  • Increased handwashing stations in communal areas in villages.
  • Suspended non-essential staff travel.
  • Regular staff and resident communication specifically about COVID-19.
  • Free flu vaccinations for staff.

Preparing to care for our residents if they become unwell with COVID-19

  • Scenario planning to prepare for caring for residents, containing any infection and looking after the wellbeing of people during self-isolation.
  • Contingency planning to maintain essential services and supplies.
  • Village outbreak kits including PPE and other essential items.

Our emergency response team is closely monitoring the situation and proactively responding to developments.

Please get in touch with your village manager if you have any questions, or email us here. If your enquiry is urgent, please call our COVID-19 hotline on 1800 325 046.

Updated: 5 August 2020.

We need your help to protect the health and wellbeing of our residents, many of whom will be vulnerable to COVID-19.

These measures will be reviewed regularly in line with Government advice and guidance.

Care Apartments

Families are welcome to visit care apartment residents with the following safety measures in place:

  • Up to 2 visitors at a time with social distancing
    • This is in line with state government rules that allow 1 person per 4 square metres indoors. It also takes into account the average size of care apartments.
  • In your home only, visitors are not to access communal areas please.
  • Visiting hours, Monday to Friday, during village office hours.
    • We are doing our best to balance the health and safety of our residents with the need for family and friends to connect. If you are unable to visit during these hours, please call the Village Manager and we’ll work together to make alternative arrangements.
  • Visitors are required to sign in, have their temperature taken and answer a questionnaire about their health status.

Independent Living Units

Families are welcome to visit care apartment residents with the following safety measures in place:

  • Up to 5 visitors at a time with social distancing.
    • This is in line with state government rules that allow 1 person per 4 square metres indoors. It also takes into account the size of independent living units and villas.
  • In your home only, visitors are not to access communal areas please.

Please do not visit if:

  • You have returned from overseas in the last 14 days.
  • You have been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19 in the last 14 days.
  • You have any COVID-19 symptoms – a fever, a cough, sore throat, tiredness or shortness of breath.
  • You have any signs of illness.

When you visit, please:

  • Wash your hands thoroughly and frequently.
  • Cover your coughs and sneezes.
  • Avoid shaking hands or kissing.
  • Maintain a distance of 1.5 metres from others.

Thank you for helping us keep our communities safe and healthy.

Updated: 30 June 2020

RetireAustralia has adopted a village specific responses to the easing of COVID-19 restrictions.

This is because the easing of restrictions in each state is slightly different and within each of our villages we have to consider the unique factors of the built environment, location and proximity to COVID-19 cases/ outbreaks and the make-up of our resident community. Our number one priority continues to be the health and wellbeing of our residents and staff.

Please note that access to communal facilities and activities continues to be for residents only.

Individual responsibilities

We all need to keep each other safe by continuing to:

  • Maintain 1.5m physical distancing.
  • 1 person per 4sqm indoors.
  • Wash and dry hands often and thoroughly.
  • Cover coughs and sneezes.
  • Stay at home if you’re feeling sick and get tested if you have any COVID-19 symptoms.
  • Continue to stay at home as much as possible, especially if you are over 70 or have underlying health conditions.

Cleaning and sanitation

Additional cleaning and sanitation of community facilities and common areas will be carried out.

Record keeping for contact tracing

Logs of dates, times and names for sales related visits and access to BBQs, internal community facilities (including pools), hair salons and primary care services will be kept to assist wit contact tracing if required.

Thank you all for your cooperation as we take extra precautions to keep our communities safe and healthy.

If you have any questions about community activities and access to village facilities, please contact your Village Manager.

Updated: 26 March 2020

Any residents returning from overseas are required to self-isolate for 14 days. Residents travelling inter-state to Queensland and South Australia are also required to self-isolate for 14-days. These measures have been put in place by state and federal governments to slow the spread of the Coronavirus.

If any of our residents have been affected by these new restrictions, we would like to hear from you. Please contact your Village Manager so they can make arrangements for your return.

What does self-isolation mean?
For residents, self-isolation means not taking part in any village events, staying in your home and not visiting your neighbours.

How to self-isolate?
You should familiarize yourself with the Australian Government guidance on what self-isolation means: https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-isolation-guidance.

If you are planning to use public transport to get from the airport to the village, please take note of specific guidance on this: https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-information-for-drivers-and-passengers-using-public-transport

Last updated: 18 May

RetireAustralia has been closely monitoring the evolving situation regarding Coronavirus (COVID-19). In response, we’ve made some adjustments to the way we conduct sales appointments within our communities to help protect the health and wellbeing of our residents and staff.

We have reviewed government guidance on social distancing and private inspections of properties and determined that, with strict conditions in place, we can conduct limited property inspections and tours of our community facilities.

The majority of our sales conversations will still be conducted either by phone or via a video conference tool, like Zoom or FaceTime. However, if you’ve found a property you’d like to call home, your consultant will arrange a time for you to attend a viewing of the property at our village, under a few special conditions which your consultant will talk you through.

If you’re interested in finding out more about our communities, please call us on 1300 687 738 or fill out an enquiry form.

Last updated: 10 July

The situation concerning coronavirus is rapidly changing. We’re paying close attention and being responsive to additional measures we need to introduce to keep our residents and our communities safe and healthy.

Independent contractors

Any non RetireAustralia contractors that visit residents’ in their homes are required to sign in to the village at reception before proceeding to the unit/ villa. Examples of independent contractors includes carers, cleaners, maintenance people, grocery delivery people and health professionals such as doctors, nurses, pathologists, podiatrists or physio therapists.

This is a workplace health and safety requirement that was in place prior to COVID-19. However, for COVID-19 contract tracing purposes, it is now more important than ever before.

RetireAustralia contractors and suppliers

Effective Friday 18 March, each day you attend a village, you will be required to:

  • Contact Village Reception by phone, before you begin any work or visit any residents
  • Sign a health declaration

It is important that you do not enter  if:

  • You have been overseas in the last 14 days
  • You have been in contact with anyone with COVID-19
  • You have any of the COVID-19 symptoms – fever, cough, shortness of breath or a sore throat
  • You have any signs of illness

When in our villages, please:

  • Exercise the principles of social distancing, including maintaining a distance of 1.5 metres from residents and staff wherever possible.
  • Wash your hands thoroughly and frequently.
  • Cover your coughs and sneezes.
  • Avoid physical contact with staff and residents.

Thank you for your cooperation in keeping everyone safe.

Last updated: 12 March 2020.

If a confirmed case of COVID-19 were to occur in a village, we would continue to act in full compliance with the Australian Government, local and state health authorities.

We have infection control procedures and contingency plans in place. These include:

  • Anyone with COVID-19 will be isolated and transferred to hospital if necessary.
    • Care apartment residents will be isolated in their rooms, with infection control measures in place.
    • We will ask independent living residents to self-isolate in their homes and will support them in any way we can.
  • Anyone the infected person has been in contact with will be isolated and cared for.
  • We will arrange for family members to keep in touch with loved ones.

Please get in touch with your village manager if you have any questions.

For all media enquiries, please contact Brooke Chapman:

Mobile: 0429 903 015
Email: Brooke.Chapman@retireaustralia.com.au

Last updated: 12 March 2020.

  • The National Coronavirus Health Information Line on 1800 020 080
    Operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For translating/ interpreting services, call 131 450.

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Have you got questions?

Please contact our COVID-19 Virtual Help team by email here or phone 1800 325 046.

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