COVID-19 | A Checklist of Practical Support for Your Loved One

© Danielle Robertson Consulting Pty Ltd t/as DR Care Solutions

Coronavirus - COVID-19. It looks like we're in for a long six months.

Yesterday the Federal Government announced that the following people are to stay at home at this stage of the COVID-19 pandemic:

• People aged 70 years and over,

• People aged 65 years and over with chronic medical conditions,

• People with compromised immune systems, and

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people over the age of 50, are at greater risk of more serious illness if they are infected with coronavirus.

In its message, the government encouraged those in this demographic, or their families, to put in place some practical measures to enable them to remain at home.

I have collated a checklist of practical measures that incorporate government suggestions and my own, having provided in-home care for more than 30 years.

Have The Groceries Delivered

• Both Coles and Woolworths are offering priority online ordering and delivery services for vulnerable customers.

• Selected independent grocery stores are offering home delivery. Call the local store and ask if they will receive orders over the phone and deliver to your loved one.

• Ask younger neighbours to help out with grocery shopping. This also doubles as valuable social connection.

Have Meals Delivered

• Consider registering your loved one with Meals on Wheels. Three-course meals range from $7 to $10, including delivery. This is a Federal Government subsidised rate. To receive it you need to be on a full or part disability or aged pension. Carers are often eligible too. Alternative rates are available for those not on a pension. With the Federal Government having this week invested $50M into Meals on Wheels, the service should be available to many. Anyone who is registered on My Aged Care can access this service now.

• Ring a local cafe and ask them if they are preparing takeaway meals and home delivery. You may be pleasantly surprised to find they have adapted their business, and you can feel good in supporting them at this time. No price subsidies would apply.

Attend Medical Appointments Over The Phone (Tele-Health)

• While a physical visit to the local GP will be required for the flu injection, check with the doctor's receptionist as to whether other appointments can be conducted over the phone. Note: Government delivery of flu injections were scheduled for 30 March 2020 and due to the demand it may take up to three weeks to reach your GP or local pharmacy. Consider speaking with your loved one as to whether they have made their flu injection appointment for April 2020.

Ask the Local Pharmacy for Home Delivery (Tele-Prescriptions)

• After a telephone appointment, your GP will fax scripts to the pharmacist and many community pharmacies offer home delivery. It's seamless.

Arrange Some Social Contact

• Register your loved one for the Community Visitors Scheme and have someone visit by phone. This is a free service run across the nation, where volunteer visitors provide companionship, in person, to isolated senior Australians. In our new world, the service is now offering telephone and virtual friendships. The Federal Government has just invested another $10M in the service so why not give it a go.

• Arrange in-home care visits from a reputable care provider. Home care providers can offer a range of social contact activities, from an accompanied walk, a drive, through to cleaning, decluttering and gardening. In my experience, these providers currently do have the capacity and capability to provide such services and are welcoming new clients.

If you need additional support or advice for your loved ones at this time, please get in touch with us.

For assistance in choosing a provider or seeking subsidised care, please don't hesitate to contact me, Danielle Robertson at DR Care Solutions, for an initial discussion on how to set up the right care, support and assistance for your loved one, at the right time and in the right place.