COVID-19 Update – Visiting Arrangements for Resthaven Residential Services

Resthaven complies with government directions and guidelines in relation to visitors to residential aged care.

The South Australian Emergency Management (Residential Aged Care Facilities No 22) (COVID-19) Direction 2020 came into effect on 9 January 2021. It provides clear direction relating to Visitors to Residential Aged Care Facilities. The Direction states that“care and support visit, in relation to a resident of a RACF, means a visit made to the resident by one or more persons for the purposes of providing care and support to the resident (and includes a visit by a family member or friend of the resident for the purposes of providing social support to the resident”.

Under the current Emergency Management Direction, you cannot enter a Residential Aged Care Facility if:

• You have not been vaccinated against 2020 seasonal influenza*
• You have undertaken a COVID-19 test and are awaiting the test result( unless you have had a COVID-19 test in accordance with routine surveillance testing of asymptomatic persons. Documentation to support this exemption must be provided at the time of the visit)
• During the 14 days immediately preceding the entry, you  had known contact, other than contact during which the person wore appropriate personal protective equipment, with a person who has a confirmed case of COVID-19
• You have a temperature higher than 38°C, or have a history of fever or chills in the preceding 72 hours, or symptoms of acute respiratory infection or loss of taste and smell
• During the 14 days immediately preceding the entry, you were a person who has been in a location outside of South Australia that was not considered a low community transmission zone (such as overseas, except New Zealand), or any other location determined by SA Health on the SA Health Contact Tracing website in which case you are not permitted to enter or remain on the premises of a RACF

*exemptions may apply under some circumstances such as end of life visiting, refer to SA Health Direction.

Visiting Requirements

The following processes are in place to ensure residents may receive visitors safely:
Children under the age of 16 years are permitted to enter the home, however, they MUST be in the company of an adult. In addition, they must meet all other entry screening criteria, including having evidence of their 2020 seasonal influenza vaccination (those aged 6 months or under are not required to have the 2020 seasonal influenza vaccination).

• The main entry is the only entry point to the home at this time. Please be aware, you may need to wait a short time to have the COVID-19 screening undertaken on entry.
•  A screening process for entering the home is conducted for all persons and includes:
  • On entering the home, all visitors are to go to the sign-in desk and complete the screening questions in the visitor sign-in sheet.
  • If you respond YES to ANY of the screening questions, with the exception of the influenza vaccination, you are NOT permitted to enter.
  • The visitor’s temperature reading is recorded in the visitor sign-in sheet.
  • If a temperature of 38°C or higher is recorded, you are NOT permitted to enter and we recommend you contact your GP.
  • All visitors must provide evidence of their 2020 seasonal influenza vaccination at every visit. If not available, entry is NOT permitted to the home. The exception is a child aged six (6) months or younger
• On completion of the screening process, visitors are provided with a ‘Visitor’ sticker to wear during the period of the visit.
• When visiting the home, please note:
  • You may only visit your family member/friend.
  • On entry to the home, all visitors are requested to attend to hand hygiene procedures.
  • Visits are to occur in the resident’s room, outdoors, or in a specific area designated as a visiting area.
• Visits are not to occur in resident communal areas, such as lounges and dining rooms unless specifically identified at the home as a designated visiting space.
• The number of visitors present at any time will be monitored and are to be in line with the requirements to maintain physical distancing in any space.
• Signage is displayed identifying the maximum number of people who can safely be in an area at any one time. It is critical that everyone complies with the maximum number requirements in any visiting space at the home.
• Maintain physical distancing from others of at least 1.5m wherever possible, including within the resident’s room.
• Whilst visiting in the home, basic infection control practices must be observed:
  • Handwashing facilities and alcohol hand gel dispensers are available for your use at the entrance and throughout the home.
  • Please maintain good cough etiquette by covering your coughs and sneezes at all times.
• When leaving the home, you must sign out, discard the ‘visitor’ sticker, attend hand hygiene and leave only via the main entrance.

Changes to visiting arrangements at Resthaven residential aged care homes

Resthaven’s visiting arrangements may change in response to Emergency Management Direction updates which can occur at immediate notice.

The following visiting times currently apply for visitors to residential aged care:

• Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 10 am to 4 pm
• Tuesday and Thursday:  10 am to 4 pm  AND  6 pm to 8 pm
• Saturday:  1 pm to 5 pm
• Sunday and Public Holidays:  1 pm to 3 pm

PLEASE NOTE: Visiting hours for Australia Day (26 January 2021) are 10am to 4pm.

View and download the COVID-19 Information for residents and families factsheet.
View and download the End of Life Care Pathway Visitation factsheet.
View and download the Guidance for Residents and Families for External Outings and Gatherings.

Thank you for working together with us to maintain the health and safety of everyone at the home. If you have any questions about the information, please contact the site manager.

These arrangements are subject to change, so please check with staff prior to visiting.