Remembering everyone | CEO opinion piece

How many times have you heard someone remark, “I never want to end up in a nursing home”?

You may have even said it yourself.

With the recent release of home care packages, more people than ever have the opportunity to receive the support they need in their own home. However; there are others, who require higher levels of support, and this may mean residential aged care is the only option.

The fact is, no one chooses to live in an aged care home, or indeed no one really wants to rely on others to provide them with care and support. We accept that as we age, we may not be able to play sport or run around like we used to, but rarely do we consider that some of the activities of daily life may become challenging.

There are many amazing people who call residential aged care home. A couple of weeks ago, following the Remembrance Day service, I was fortunate to meet a group of veterans. All of them had stories to tell. Like many men of that era, talk wasn’t about the war, but of their families and their lives afterwards.

The opening of state borders creates new challenges for the aged care sector in South Australia. From 6 December, all visitors to residential aged care homes will be required to have received two doses of COVID-19 vaccine. Visitor screening will continue to be necessary to ensure the safety of residents.

This is likely to cause some anxiety for residents and their families, especially in the lead up to Christmas. For every person who requests a relaxation of visitor restrictions, we receive several more votes of thanks for keeping their loved ones safe. Vaccination remains the best way to protect our community from the disease.

As we take the next step towards a new COVID-normal world, spare a thought for the more vulnerable in our society. Let’s all look out for each other, regardless of where you may live.

Opinion piece by Darren Birbeck, Chief Executive Officer, Resthaven Incorporated