• Updated visitor guidelines

    Updated visitor guidelines

    Revised measures for COVID‐19 Pandemic Visitor Restrictions

    Note: This information is superseded by subsequent notifications. Please visit this page for the latest information. 

    A further update regarding visitor restrictions in Resthaven residential aged care homes, having given formal regard to the Direction as outlined to by the Chief Executive of the SA Department of Health and Wellbeing in recent days.

    The Direction is that while protection of residents and staff has to be paramount, this should not be at the expense of visits, and reinforced that measures be put in place to ensure residents can receive visitors.

    From Monday 4 May 2020, there will be specific visiting times at Resthaven residential aged care homes.

    These will be from 1pm – 3pm each day, with the following conditions:

    • A maximum of one visit per day by up to two people to an individual resident for a maximum visit period of 30 minutes.
    • Visitors must sign in on arrival and undertake screening before they can enter. This screening will include temperature monitoring and the checking of evidence of a visitor having had their 2020 influenza vaccination.
    • Visitors are always to maintain 1.5 metres social distancing.
    • Compassionate reasons for a visit such as end of life care continue.

    For Mothers’ Day, Sunday 10 May 2020, visits will be permitted from 1 – 5 pm.

    In addition, the State Government Directions continue to limit a resident being able to leave a residential facility, except under specific, limited circumstances.

    As there were some unacceptable interactions during the initial restricted visiting times from 20‐25 March, we emphasise our expectation that all visitors be respectful of staff when visiting, as the great majority of visitors were.

    We have received many emails in response to the update of 23 April 2020, and we have considered all feedback received. Many affirmed the importance and appreciation of the staff at Resthaven, whilst having differing views on visiting.

    Staff are clearly essential in providing aged care, and we acknowledge the imperative to be vigilant with their infection control practices.

    The Prime Minister’s comments last week about aged care homes having residents locked in their rooms or ‘being stuck in their rooms’ does not happen at Resthaven. If a resident is positive for COVID‐19 or another infection such as influenza or gastroenteritis, it is proper for the resident to remain in their room and be cared for from their room as a key infection control prevention strategy.

    The Government stipulates that from 1 May 2020, any person who enters an aged care home must be vaccinated for seasonal influenza 2020 and have proof of this before they can enter. There are very limited medical exemptions and they require medical certification. Resthaven is required to establish a checking program to ensure that any person seeking entry have proof of this vaccination prior to entry.

    There have been no extra resources offered to aged care homes that adequately fund implementation of these Directions. This lack of funding will impact on our capacity to maintain many of the additional communication options currently in place and enjoyed by many. These additional activities include the additional staff hours provided to facilitate FaceTime, Zoom connections, additional wellness calls and lifestyle activities. These will be reviewed once the regular visiting times are in place.

    We encourage you to please continue to maintain contact with your loved one through the various options available.

    For details of visiting arrangements, click here.

    For information about resident attendance at external medical or dental appointments, click here.

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