Covid-19
Information

Our response to Covid-19

Welcome to the UnitingSA Covid-19 information page. Here you’ll find information about the Covid-19 pandemic, how we are responding to it, and what you need to do as a member of the UnitingSA community.

UnitingSA’s leadership team are continuing to closely monitor the Covid-19 situation. We have detailed response plans in place and continue to take important steps to minimise the risk to our valued UnitingSA team and community.

These steps are helping to ensure that our organisation is well prepared to respond to challenges presented by Covid-19, and minimise any impact it may have on our provision of high-quality services to our clients and residents.

Service updates

UnitingSA has put in place a comprehensive program of Covid-19 safeguards across our organisation, which are continually reviewed.

  • Aged Care

    Residential Aged Care

    UnitingSA continues to follow the latest public health advice and update our Covid-response measures to ensure the ongoing safety and wellbeing of all residents within our care. At times, this may mean our homes, or sections of our homes, temporarily close to visitors at short notice.

    Current visitor restrictions

    Visiting hours have been removed across all UnitingSA Aged Care homes to enable families and friends to visit at the most convenient time for them and their loved ones.

    UnitingSA is pleased to be able to make this change in time for Christmas. However, we do ask that visitors remain mindful of others when choosing a time to visit, to ensure sleep isn’t unintentionally disrupted.

    The following changes are still in place at all UnitingSA Residential Aged Care homes to protect those in our care:

    • Visitors, including contractors and suppliers entering our homes for maintenance, deliveries etc., must continue to wear masks when onsite
    • Visitors are encouraged to visit in their loved one’s room or an outdoor area (not communal areas)

    For more information, please contact your Aged Care home directly using the contact details listed on our Contact page.

    Click here to view contact details for our Aged Care homes

    Check-in and screening

    • Visitors are no longer required to show evidence of Covid-19 or influenza vaccination
    • QR codes are no longer part of the entry process, however we will continue to have a visitor sign-in book at reception

    Community Aged Care

    We continue to provide support to older people within their homes and across the community. Our team members may be wearing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) while delivering face-to-face at-home services. We also ask that you notify us on (08) 8448 6250 immediately if you:

    • have had contact with a Covid-19 case
    • are waiting to receive Covid-19 test results
    • have recently experienced fever, chills, a cough, sore throat, shortness of breath or loss of taste or smell or are experiencing general cold and flu symptoms
    • or have a temperature of 38 degrees Celsius or above

    We will contact you if there are any changes to service provision.

    Retirement Living

    Retirement living residents are encouraged to stay up-to-date with the latest Covid-19 health advice and government regulations at SA Health or SA Government.

    We will contact you if there are any changes to service provision across our Retirement Living sites.

  • Community Services

    All of our Community Services sites, including our Homelessness and Emergency Relief centres in Port Adelaide, remain operational and open to the public, with Covid-safe measures in place.

    Our team members may be wearing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) while delivering face-to-face and outreach services.

    We also ask that you notify us immediately if you:

    • have had contact with a Covid-19 case
    • are waiting to receive Covid-19 test results
    • have recently experienced fever, chills, a cough, sore throat, shortness of breath or loss of taste or smell or are experiencing general cold and flu symptoms
    • or have a temperature of 38 degrees Celsius or above

    We will contact you if there are any changes to service provision.

Further information and resources

Please find below further information and resources relating to Covid-19, as well as avenues for support:

Educational Resources

The Federal Government offers a collection of information sheets, links to apps and other resources for the general public and industry to help you stay informed and share important messages. You can find these resources at the Department of Health website.

  • Domestic Violence Crisis Line (Women’s Safety Services SA):
    1800 800 098
  • SA Covid-19 Mental Health Support Line:
    1800 632 753 or chat online (7 days, 8am-8pm)
  • Red Cross Telecross REDI service:
    1800 188 787 for a free daily phone call checking on the welfare of vulnerable people.
  • NDIS Call Centre referral line for NDIS participants:
    1800 800 110 for Covid-related queries
  • Disability Information Helpline:
    1800 643 787 (Mon-Friday, 8am-8pm; Sat-Sun, 9am-7pm AEST) Covid-19 assistance for people with disability and their families, carers and support workers.

Nobody can do everything but everyone can do something.

UnitingSA relies on the generosity of donors to help deliver innovative programs and support for people in need across metropolitan and regional South Australia.

“We love Hawksbury Gardens so much, your staff have been so supportive and have made this process so wonderful, we can’t thank you enough!”

Cassie,
Family member, Residential Aged Care

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