‘If I had a family relative in care I would definitely bringing them home from aged care if possible’

A caregiver has given a grim warning for the aged care industry and says action must urgently be taken. READ THE FULL REPORT

FAMILIES should try to bring their elderly members home rather than keep them in aged care during COVID-19, warns a leading caregiver.

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Home Instead Senior Care Gold Coast staffer Julie Lea, who has won the group’s caregiver of the quarter award, has spoken during Aged Care Employee Day about the emotional toll on families.

A security guard patrols as staff return to work at St Basils Home for the Aged in Melbourne. Picture: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

“If I had a family relative in care I would definitely bringing them home if possible, it’s the safety factor. Look at what is happening in Victoria,” Ms Lea said.

How the Australian aged care sector has performed during COVID

A coroner is investigating the deaths of five residents at aged care homes in Victoria. On the Coast, visits have been banned as part of a crackdown in the south-east after early fears of an infection spread at a Brisbane nursing home facility.

Ms Lea, who has 20 years experience at the health coalface, knows how home care had helped an elderly Mermaid Waters client survive.

She said the 87-year-old man was able to avoid illness during the worst of the initial restrictions because he could be isolated in his home.

Chris Davey (franchise owner), Julie Lea (caregiver) and Steve Patterson (franchise owner) from Home Instead Senior Care Gold Coast talking about the impact of COVID-19 on the aged care sector.

“We use paper towels which are thrown away. We put the rubbish out every day. There are four carers altogether. We do grocery shopping. We don’t take anything into the house,” she said.

“We sterilise everything. We’d only take them into the garage and wipe everything over with sanitary wipes.

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“He’s made a miraculous recovery from the man living alone malnourished. He was sad. He had lost a lot of weight. He wasn’t very healthy.”

Southport city councillor Brooke Patterson along franchise owners Chris Davey and Steve Patterson at a meeting with caregivers today thanked them for their efforts.

Staff return to work at St Basils Home in Victoria. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)

Franchise owner Chris Davey told the Bulletin: “Julie is kind, compassionate and goes

above and beyond for her clients and their families. We appreciate the high level of care she has given to her clients, particularly during the pandemic.”