Gerard Mansour - Message to Aged Care Sector

Hi, I'm Gerard Mansour and I am the Commissioner for Senior Victorians.

To begin, I acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the lands on which we each stand, and pay my respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, it's important to remind ourselves how vital it is for aged care residents to keep in contact with their family and friends.

Aged care residents benefit enormously from seeing those they love.

Wherever possible, it is important to facilitate visits by loved ones, as well as other day-to-day activities that provide connection, like going to the hairdresser and social events. These are crucial to quality of life for older people.

To make sure our residents can keep doing the things they love – and seeing the people they love – there’s a number of things we can all do to help stay safe.

That includes continuing to follow public health directions and checking for exposure sites on the Department of Health website, before you go to work and when welcoming visitors.

Please also monitor yourself, and those you care for, for symptoms and get tested immediately, even for the mildest of symptoms.

Visits from loved ones and volunteers are essential to the psychological wellbeing of older people, particularly after the prolonged period of isolation many residents have experienced.

Wherever we can, we need to do as much as we can, to help make life a little more normal for those who live in aged care homes – after all, this is their home.

Visit coronavirus.vic.gov.au for more aged care sector advice.

And please ensure you take time to rest and look after yourself. Your wellbeing is important too.

Thank you again for your hard work, dedication and commitment to ensuring older Victorians are supported and kept safe through this pandemic.

You are all doing an incredible job. Thank you, stay safe and take care.