Aged care industry response to Vic bushfires

Aged care organisations in Victoria have rallied in response to the state’s devastating bushfires which have been described as the worst natural disaster in the nation’s history.

Australian Ageing Agenda reports that providers on the frontline have sprung into action to implement emergency plans, while industry colleagues throughout the state and across the country have made offers of support.

At this stage, it is understood that no aged care facilities have been directly damaged by the fires but it is believed that some community care clients have lost their homes. Other areas remain on standby.

Aged care facilities away from the frontline have been quick to register vacancies and take in people needing short-term respite. Some facilities are even operating above capacity.

“People have taken the approach: just do it,” said the chief executive officer of Aged and Community Care Victoria (ACCV), Gerard Mansour.

“We have had a number of our members who have just taken in people who have been affected. They may be evacuated residents, community care clients or older people who didn’t even have an ACAT (Aged Care Assessment Team) assessment but were older and frail.

“I would like to extend my thanks to the general community and our members who have expressed an interest and offered to lend a hand. Those affected on the front line certainly appreciate those offers of assistance.”

Mr Mansour said the full impact of the fire on aged care providers and their staff members is yet to be realised.

“A lot of our facilities are operating on the fringes of the areas affected by the fire and they may well have staff members who may have been directly affected,” he said.

“By end of week, we will have reached the next phase, and I’m sure there will be significant impact on the whole community among the fatalities, including the industry and our staff.”

Mr Mansour also praised the coordination among the various bodies responding to the crisis.

He said the regional offices of the Department of Human Services and the Department of Health and Ageing, along with frontline emergency organisations such as the CFA [Country Fire Authority], had provided great assistance to providers.

The ACCV board has decided to donate $5,000 to the Red Cross Victorian bushfires appeal on behalf of the state’s aged care industry.

The donation is being made in recognition of the severe impact of the fires on Victoria’s rural communities, many of which have senior citizens.