Menarock Life Highett: Seven residents die; families billed for care they won’t receive
Seven people have tragically died after a coronavirus outbreak at Menarock Life (Rosehill). But it’s the latest move from the Highett home that has outraged families.
Inner South
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A Bayside aged care home has sent residents a bill for care in August, despite expecting to be closed for most of the month due to a coronavirus outbreak.
The invoices – dated July 31 – were received by some families in the same week that the first resident from Menarock Life (Rosehill) died after being diagnosed with coronavirus.
A family member, who did not wish to be identified, described the move as “tone deaf”.
They said no mention had been made of the bill in the string of email updates sent to families over the past three weeks.
“It could well have been sent via an automated system, but the centre has stayed silent since,” the family member said.
“There has been no attempt to assure families that they do not need to pay for services they clearly won’t be receiving.”
There have now been seven deaths and at least 50 infections linked to the Highett home.
Emails to residents’ families revealed that a male resident died on Sunday, August 9 and a female resident passed away on Thursday, August 13.
The correspondence also revealed that “a few” residents had entered palliative care in hospital and more deaths were expected.
A follow up email on Friday August 14 reported that another two residents had died and by Monday, August 17, another three had lost their battle with the deadly respiratory virus.
“We understand this news is very difficult for the entire Rosehill community and our thoughts are with everyone at this time, as mentioned previously we will honour all our residents who have passed away in a memorial service at an appropriate time in the near future,” the August 14 email stated.
It also reported that a “deep clean” of the centre was completed on August 14 and staff were expected to return from “early next week as they are released from home isolation”.
The centre was expected to welcome residents back from August 21.
“We appreciate this has been a stressful time on everyone and some families may prefer to look for other accommodation for their relative rather than returning to Rosehill,” the email states.
“This is entirely your choice; but, we are hoping and planning for all the permanent residents to return to the Rosehill.”
On July 17 an outbreak at another Menarock facility in Essendon was linked to two deaths and 21 staff, 15 residents and two external contacts testing positive to coronavirus.
According to the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) the Esseondon outbreak had grown to 67 cases by August 6.
Menarock also has aged care facilities in Campberwell, Glen Waverley, Heathmont, Lower Templestowe, Templestowe. Upper Beaconsfield, Upper Ferntree Gully and Pakenham.
According to an aged care advocate – Aged Care Matters – there has also been at least one case reported at each of the Lower Templestowe and Pakenham facilities.
The advocate has compiled a list of cases recorded at centres across Victoria based on official reports and information from the public.
The list is updated daily but has not been verified by DHHS.
Menarock Life has been contacted for comment.
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