Members of the public have until Thursday to comment on the draft Aged Care Visitor Access Code.
The new code, announced late last Friday, will ensure a nationally consistent visiting policy to residential aged care homes during the COVID-19 crisis.
Released by aged care peak bodies and consumer advocacy organisations for consultation with the public, the code aims to apply a compassionate and consistent visitor policy that continues to minimise the risk of coronavirus while providing innovative on-site visiting solutions to maintain the mental health of residents.
Consultations will take place this week with aged care residents, families, families of choice, friends, along with aged care providers and staff.
The draft principles include that residents who are dying and in their final weeks be allowed in-person visits from a small number of loved ones on a regular basis, and that visitors who have a clearly established pattern of involvement in a resident's care and support (daily or a number of times per week) be allowed to continue to do so.
Comments close at 3pm on Thursday, May 7.
It is envisaged the code will be finalised by May 11.
The draft code, and details on how to comment, are available HERE
The draft code has been endorsed by consumer advocacy organisations Carers Australia, Council on the Ageing Australia, Dementia Australia, National Seniors Australia and the Older Persons Advocacy Network as well as aged care industry peak bodies Aged and Community Services Australia, Aged Care Guild, Anglicare Australia, Baptist Care Australia, Catholic Health Australia, Leading Age Services Australia and UnitingCare Australia.
Free webinar
A webinar on the new code will be held on tomorrow (Wednesday, May 6) from 1-2pm. It is free to all registered guests.
Panellists will be Craig Gear (Older Persons Advocacy Network), Ian Yates (COTA Australia), Maree McCabe (Dementia Australia) and John McCallum (National Seniors Australia).
Anyone interested can register HERE
