COVID-19 (Coronavirus) – Information for older Queenslanders

COVID-19 (Coronavirus) – Information for older Queenslanders

Updated 10 February 2022

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Current health advice and restrictions, Vaccination, Vaccination Certificate, Where to find information, Factsheets, Digital Media, Aged Care Facilities, Supports Available

Our work

As the seniors’ peak body in Queensland, we are committed to supporting you however we can and keeping you informed as the COVID-19 pandemic develops.

We understand that this a confusing and unpredictable time, but we ask that you look out for one another. Older people are one of the groups most vulnerable to the coronavirus. It is important that we all practice good hygiene and take sensible precautions to keep ourselves and each other safe.

Our staff continue to meet regularly to assess whether the information and services being made available in response to the pandemic are meeting the needs of older people.

We currently provide consumer insights and advice on number of advisor panels including Queensland Health’s COVID-19 Residential Aged Care Working Group, COVID-19 Disability Services Clinical Advisory Group, COVID-19 Aged Care Sector Working Group, and others.

Do you have a story to share? We have created a space on our  Engagement Hub  for you to share your experiences, needs, and concerns so that we can better understand the impact the COVID-19 pandemic is having on Queenslanders as we age.

Current health advice and restrictions

The spread of COVID-19 and Australia’s response is evolving, for the most up to date information  please www.australia.gov.au  or  www.health.qld.gov.au.

It is important to stay up to date with the current Public Health Directives and restrictions in Queensland.  For the most up to date information visit Queensland Health’s Website by clicking here.

Restrictions are now easing, which means you can leave your home for more than just essential reasons. Read the roadmap to easing Queensland’s restrictions to learn more about what you can and can’t do in each stage.

For information on going out, travel, recreation and gatherings click here.

We can all do our part in keeping each other safe.

For most people, they will only develop mild illness and recover easily, but others may develop severe sickness.  There are special rules in place for the most vulnerable.  These rules apply to aged care facilitiesdisability accommodation services, hospitals and correctional facilities.

To protect yourself, your family and the community from getting COVID-19 you must maintain good hygiene, practice physical distancing, check in using the Queensland Governments QR code or with shop and venues staff, and get vaccinated.

COVID-Ready: Older Queenslanders

 

Vaccination

COTA is not able to comment on vaccine efficacy, or the possible risks associated with each vaccine – however, we strongly support heeding the advice from the independent Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) which re-iterates the importance of COVID-19 vaccination as a key component of COVID-19 control with the overarching goal of protecting all people in Australia from the harm caused by SARS-CoV-2.

All Vaccines in Australia have been fully approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) which approves all medicines.

The Delta variant of the virus that is currently circulating in the community is highly transmissible and the advice is that you are much safer with a vaccination than without one.

The following websites provide accurate and scientifically based information that can assist you with making your individual choice:

If you have any concerns regarding the COVID-19 vaccines, we recommend that you discuss your individual circumstances and risk factors with your GP.




Vaccination Certificate

How to access your COVID-19 vaccination certificate

https://www.beconnectednetwork.org.au/sites/default/files/how_to_access_your_covid-19_vaccination_certificate_accessible.pdf




 

Where to find information

For the most accurate and up-to-date health advice, visit:

Do you have more question? Find the right service for your coronavirus (COVID-19) enquiry here.

Factsheets

Council on the Ageing (COTA) Australia has worked with the federal government to produce a fact sheet for older Australians. It provides clear and practical information about reducing the risks of COVID-19 and answers many frequently asked questions.

COTA Australia has also put together a frequently asked questions page.

Information for people with dementia and their carers is available from Dementia Australia.

NDIA have produced some easy English information sheets about COVID-19.

For information in your language, Ethnolink have translated resources into languages other than English.

Digital Media

Download the Queensland Government’s COVID Safe Check In app. n You can download an install the app  on Google Play or  Apple App Store.

Join the official WhatsApp channel. Download the app from either the Apple  App Store or Google Play, then visit aus.gov.au/whatsapp in your mobile browser. It will prompt you to ‘send’ a request to join the channel.

For informative discussion and answers to common questions, ABC has created the Coronacast podcast. The daily episodes are around 10 minutes long and available through the ABC listen appApple Podcasts or Google Podcasts.

Aged Care Facilities

The Federal Government has introduced new rules around visiting aged care facilities. Some facilities may have extra rules in place beyond what is required. Before you visit a centre, check with them directly to see whether this is the case.

Find more information on COVID-19 and Aged Care here.

Supports Available

Community Recovery

Supporting Queenslanders to recover from natural disasters and crises. Disaster and emergency support.  There are number of COVID-19 supports you may be eligible to access.

More information can be found here www.qld.gov.au/community/disasters-emergencies/covid-19 or by phoning the COVID hotline on 134 COVID (13 42 68).

Medicines: 

As part of the National Health Plan, telehealth can now be bulk-billed and Electronic Prescribing is being fast-tracked, with work to upgrade the doctor and pharmacy software well underway. It is expected to be ready by May 2020 but there are options immediately available to support telehealth services so you can get medicine sent directly to you at home. It is important to note that these interim arrangements are temporary.

Many pharmacies are also offering free home delivery of prescriptions to vulnerable members of the community.  Speak to your pharmacy to find out if they are offering this service and what their eligibility is.

Australia Post has extended their pharmacy home delivery service until 31 December 2021.   For more information click here.

Medical:

If you start to feel unwell, contact a doctor or call 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84).

You can seek medical support from your GP through bulk-billed telehealth (video link such as FaceTime, Zoom or WhatsApp.) and telephone services.

Other telehealth services include:

  • Psychologists
  • Nurses
  • Psychiatrists
  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioners

For more information:

Financial support

There’s help available to individuals who have had their work or life impacted by COVID-19.
To find out what supports may be available to you click here.