This is just one of the many reasons, the Department of Health and Aged Care, together with the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission, has put new arrangements in place for education based on the COVID-19 infection control online training modules.
The modules, which cover the fundamentals of infection prevention and control for COVID-19, are available free of charge for approved aged care and disability providers and their employees.
The Department of Health said users can access the training at the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission’s aged care learning information system – Alis.
Access to Alis is currently provided free of charge to all approved aged care providers and employees of approved providers.
Care workers are encouraged to sign up or log in to Alis at learning.agedcarequality.gov.au
Those who complete the training can then download a completion certificate from Alis once the modules have been completed.
In addition, the Department of Health has recently updated its range of resources developed to assist those who provide in-home care and is currently reviewing the guidance offered for in-home care workers.
Current advice stipulates that in-home care workers must do all they can to take particular care to protect older Australians, who are particularly vulnerable during the unpredictable flu season and the ongoing COVID-19 Omicron surge as winter approaches.
“As health workers are aware, the risk of serious illness from COVID-19 increases with age. The highest rate of fatalities to date is among older people, particularly those with other serious health conditions or a weakened immune system.”
“Australians over 70 years of age, over 65 years of age with existing health conditions, Indigenous Australians over the age of 50 with existing health conditions, and people of any age who have suppressed immunity are particularly at risk from COVID-19.”
Current guidelines state that while it is not compulsory for in-home aged care or disability workers to receive the influenza vaccination to continue working during the cooler months when the chances of infection are increased, all staff are encouraged to receive the vaccine if it is available to them.
