Health resources

COVID-19 is a new infection that can be more serious for some older people. These resources explain how you can see your loved ones while keeping yourself and others safe from COVID-19, and include a poster, how-to guide, website banner, email footer and a social media tile. 

Click on the links to download the resources. 

You, your friends and family have a right to know how your residential aged care service is responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. We have developed some common questions that you can ask your service provider during this time.

To support the aged care sector during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Commission is developing a range of new storyboards that are designed to illustrate key behaviours and priority issues.

A range of resources related to minimising the use of restraints in aged care. 

States and Territories have established directions giving effect to the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee’s recommendation that visitors and staff (including visiting workers) should not be permitted to enter a residential aged care facility, if they have not been vaccinated against influenza (after 1st May 2020).  

Residential aged care facilities may wish to display the attached poster at entrances, to alert anyone entering the facility of these flu vaccination requirements. 

These posters have been developed to supplement the CDNA National Guidelines for the Prevention, Control and Public Health Management of COVID-19 Outbreaks in Residential Care Facilities in Australia. 

The CDNA guidelines include a flow chart for managing COVID-19 in residential facilities. The posters take this flow chart and present it in a way that may be easier for facilities to see what they need to do for their particular circumstances. 

Six steps for safe prescribing antipsychotics and benzodiazepines in residential aged care.

If you’re thinking of prescribing these medicines to manage the behaviours and psychological symptoms of dementia, follow these 6 steps.

The World Health Organisation has declared the coronavirus is a pandemic.
 
The Department of Health has prepared factsheets, including for aged care staff, residents and families to assist in control of the spread of novel coronavirus (COVID19). It is strongly recommended that you read these factsheets and revisit them every day or two because they will be updated as new information becomes available.

What are psychotropic medications? 

Psychotropic medications are ‘any drug capable of affecting the mind, emotions and behaviour'

The three main classes of psychotropics prescribed are antidepressants, anxiolytic/hypnotics (mostly benzodiazepines to manage anxiety and insomnia) and antipsychotics. Other psychotropic classes include anticonvulsants and stimulants. 

The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission is helping providers to understand issues and their responsibilities around minimising the use of chemical and physical restraint. This includes ensuring that providers are appropriately documenting each instance of use.