COVID-19 resources for Consumers, Families and Service Providers

Free COVID-19 resources to support residential aged care home residents, home care recipients, their families and service providers during an outbreak

Residential aged care homes around Australia have had to act fast to keep residents safe during recent COVID 19 outbreaks. All have found it challenging to share critical communication keeping concerned residents, consumers and their families informed of:

• ongoing developments at the aged care home
• available supports, especially if there’s a desire to transfer a resident to the family home
• residents’ health and wellbeing.

ARAS and OPAN (Older Persons Advocacy Network) can help you support residents and their families, and give them a voice during a COVID-19 outbreak or lockdown, by sharing proven strategies and communication tools with you.

COVID-19 Communications Toolkit

You can access fact sheets, letters, posters, videos, scripts and postcards. Some items include text you can adapt.

Resources for residents and their families
	Letter to residents and their families or representatives From ARAS and OPAN, it explains aged care advocacy and who they can contact for support. Send it out with the Know your rights during COVID-19 fact sheet.
	Know your rights during COVID-19 Information for residents about the Charter of Aged Care Rights and aged care advocates.
	You may have noticed some changes around here A5 postcard that residents can take to their room. You could also place it on their meal trays so they receive it when they have their meals. It explains aged care home lockdown and what residents can do if they’re worried.
	Transferring aged care residents home during COVID-19  Information for families wishing to take a resident out of your residential aged care home.

Resources for service providers
	COVID-19 checklist to plan your communication A checklist for providers to help you get an effective communications plan in place to support residents and their families.
	Free COVID-19 resources and proven strategies to support residential aged care home residents and their families during an outbreak A rundown of the information on this webpage, plus some proven strategies your residential aged care home should put in place.
	Talking to family members if residents or staff in your home have tested positive for COVID-19 Phone scripts that providers can use to help them reassure and inform residents’ family members during a COVID-19 outbreak, plus the most frequently asked questions you’ll need to answer.
	Videos to help you explain the COVID-19 outbreak to your residents Link to Dr Norman Swan video explaining aged care home lockdown to residents, plus a drafted script so you can record your own version using someone your residents know and trust.
	A thank you note to reassure your residents during COVID-19 Drafted text for a note to residents from your aged care home when you’re in lockdown.
	You may have noticed some changes around here Explains aged care home changes and restrictions to residents and what they can do if they’re worried. This is an A3 poster that can be displayed around the aged care home.

 Home Care recipients and service providers

	Home Care Recipients  A wide range of support is available to home care recipients during the COVID-19 pandemic.
	Home Care Providers A wide range of support is available to home care service providers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Norman Swan Advocacy Video

In this video, Norman Swan explains how aged care advocates can assist residents their families to make sure their voice is heard. This video is available with translated closed captions in Greek, Italian, Chinese (Simplified) and Vietnamese. 

To watch a video in full screen, please click on icon (bottom right next to 'vimeo').  

Norman Swan Residential Aged Care Facility Outbreak Explainer Video

In this video, Norman Swan explains the changes that may happen in a RACF in an event of a COVID-19 outbreak. This video is available with translated closed captions in Greek, Italian, Chinese (Simplified) and Vietnamese. 

To watch a video in full screen, please click on icon (bottom right next to 'vimeo').  

Older Persons COVID-19 Support Line (1800 171 866) Information Video 

The COVID-19 Support Line provides support and connection for older Australians, carers, family members, or supporters and it's on 1800 171 866. This free service is available from 8.30am to 6pm (AEST), Monday-Friday. This video is available with translated closed captions in Greek, Italian, Chinese (Simplified) and Vietnamese. 

To watch a video in full screen, please click on icon (bottom right next to 'vimeo').