The Australian Centre for Grief and Bereavement (ACGB) has been funded to provide national grief and loss support for those living and working in aged care, and for the loved ones of aged care recipients, who have been impacted by COVID-19.
It is part of the Aged Care COVID-19 grief and trauma response package and ACGB have launched a new aged care specific support website.
Grief and trauma comes in many forms
Many people may be suffering grief from the death of a loved one due to COVID-19.
Grief can also be experienced without involving death.
Many people living and working in aged care facilities, or in home care who weren’t exposed to COVID-19 outbreaks may be still feeling grief caused by lockdowns and social distancing.
This kind of grief could be from missing visitors, experiences, pets, routines, and loss of important life events.
What does the website contain?
The website contains nformation on the free services provided to those living and working in aged care and for the loved ones of aged care recipients.
There’s also an online registration tool, where you can register for individual/group counselling or support and fact sheets prepared by bereavement practitioners to support those in need of assistance or understanding.
The fact sheets are being translated into five different languages: Arabic; Greek, Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese and Vietnamese and there are fact sheets that can be shared with aged care recipients, their loved ones, aged care managers and aged care staff.
Also on the website is information on the My Grief app, which has advice for people who are bereaved, and also advice on how to help others.
There’s information on peer support programs for aged care and on future webinars to support those in and around the sector.
Who should visit the website?
The site is aimed at aged care residents and home care recipients, and people representing/supporting them.
Aged care sector staff including personal care workers, clinical, nursing, allied health, and wellbeing staff, and leaders and managers, should also visit the site, along with aged care peak bodies staff and people with loved ones using aged care including: families, family of choice, loved ones, friends, representatives and community visitors.
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