A number of elderly people have started refusing home support visits because they are worried about getting infected.
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Aged Care Minister Senator Richard Colbeck said he was hearing from Commonwealth Home Support Programme providers that many older people were 'quite anxious' about the pandemic.
"They are self-isolating and refusing services from CHSP and home care packages.
"They are saying 'no' because they are concerned about people coming into their homes.
"A lot of (seniors) are taking self-isolation literally, but it's important they get the service they need."
Senator Colbeck said providers were supposed to be going into their elderly clients' homes as that was part of the service, but they would have infection control systems to protect everyone.
He said members of the Older Persons Advocacy Network would call any elderly person who had refused their home service, and talk to them about starting it up again.
"It's important that even though you might be self-isolating, you don't get isolated.
"There are services that can help you. Please take advantage of them."
Senator Colbeck now has very limited contact with his own parents, who are in their eighties.
"We've made a decision that we don't visit, we don't go into the house, but we talk regularly."
He talked to his mother a few weeks ago about doing video calls, which he believed she was using with her grandchildren.
"Mum's a great cook. She spent the whole day baking the other day, but I'm not sure where it's all going.
"We're staying connected, but I'm looking forward to the day I can give Mum a hug again."
He strongly urged seniors to use services such as:
- My Aged Care co
- ntact centre 1800 200 422 - for information and services
- Prioritised supermarket delivery - register with My Aged Care
- Telehealth services - for those with a Medicare card
- Free Community Visitors Scheme - volunteers can register at My Aged Care
- Meals on Wheels and similar services - prioritised with extra $59.3 million
- CHSP services - available for up to six weeks without assessment.
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Leah McBey
As a southern New Zealander I love island life. So Tassie was an obvious choice after living in North America, Europe and the Pacific Islands. I've done a bit of everything but communication is the motif threading through my life.
As a southern New Zealander I love island life. So Tassie was an obvious choice after living in North America, Europe and the Pacific Islands. I've done a bit of everything but communication is the motif threading through my life.
