COVID-19

Alzheimer’s WA is taking a proactive and cautious approach to COVID-19 (coronavirus) as our clients and carers may be in the high-risk category for the virus. Our priority is to protect our staff, our clients and their families and our visitors. We also know that what we do now can help stop the spread of the virus.

This is ever evolving and we are constantly monitoring the situation and taking advice from the Department of Health.

What have we done

Alzheimer’s WA has enacted a series of protocols to minimise the risk to our staff and clients.

This includes restrictions for staff, or someone close to them, who have travelled in the last 14 days. We are taking extra precaution with clients and their families that have recently travelled including rescheduling if required.

We are reducing visitors into our premises and have staff where possible working from home.

We continue to support our clients

In this time of uncertainty, our focus is on continuing to support our clients and carers. Our services continue to ensure carers have a break and our clients have the opportunity to receive therapy, clinical support and socialisation.

As a community we are being asked to social distance ourselves but it is critical now, more than ever, we keep socially and emotionally connected and engaged.

We have introduced changes to our individual services to ensure physical distancing where possible.

We are looking at additional ways we can continue to support clients and adapt to the changing environment that COVID-19 has created.

Please call us on 1300 66 77 88 to discuss how we can support you and your family.

Look after yourselves

The COVID-19 situation has created significant anxiety for the community and this can be especially impactful on our clients and carers.

Please do not panic. While Coronavirus is very contagious 80% of people will experience mild to medium symptoms. However, people over 65 are considered high-risk and symptoms can be more severe. That is why we are taking extra precaution to minimise the spread of the virus to people most vulnerable to it.

You can reduce your risk by practising good hygiene and physical distancing

Good hygiene

• covering your coughs and sneezes with your elbow or a tissue
• disposing of tissues properly
• washing your hands often with soap and water, including before and after eating and after going to the toilet
• using alcohol-based hand sanitisers
• cleaning and disinfecting surfaces
• if you are sick, avoiding contact with others and staying more than 1.5 metres away from people

Physical distancing

• staying at home when you are unwell
• avoiding large public gatherings if they’re not essential
• keeping a distance of 1.5 metres between you and other people whenever possible
• minimising physical contact, especially with people at higher risk such as older people and people with existing health conditions

Communications

• Message from Alzheimer’s WA Chairperson  (24 March 20)
• Current protocols (as of 02 April 2020)

Resources

• Families: COVID-19 – Supporting people living with dementia
• Carers: COVID-19 – Supporting people living with dementia
• National Coronavirus Helpline or call 1800 020 080
• How to wash hands (video)
• How to hand rub with sanitizer (video)
• Department of Health: Fact Sheet for Older Australians
• Department of Health: Identifying the Symptoms
• Department of Health resources
• Information and resources from Alzheimer’s Disease International
• Try to and Avoid tips for caring for people living with dementia from Alzheimer’s Disease International
• Online support groups with Dementia Alliance International