Despite major outbreaks having now occurred in two aged care homes, the Federal Government has left its guidance that aged care residents can still have two visitors per day in place – though many operators have gone beyond this and closed their doors to all non-essential visitors (except for palliative and end-of-life care).
South Australia and Tasmania have also separately taken their own measures on top of the Government advice.
In South Australia, the State Government last week banned aged care residents who leave their facility banned from re-entering their home unless they left for medical or dental treatment or to attend a funeral of an immediate family member.
Residents who have dementia, or another cognitive impairment that impedes their ability to understand the new rule, and residents with no safe alternative accommodation are exempt from the restrictions –along with inspectors and legal workers.
But prospective residents have been banned from inspecting homes – in effect, stopping operators from taking on new residents.
Tasmania has enacted similar legislation across its aged care homes and hospitals too with only end-of-life visits and essential visits by doctors and medical staff permitted.
Residents are also not allowed to leave their facility unless it’s for essential medical requirements as arranged by facility management.
