LAST UPDATED : 29 March 2020
Globally, the World Health Organisation offers essential links and information regarding COVID-19.
For Australians, the Federal Government website www.health.gov.au has the latest advice and resources to help you understand more about COVID-19, self-isolation and the supports available.
The Department of Health website has accurate information on :
Understanding more about the virus
Taking steps to prevent COVID-19
What to do if you think you might have COVID-19
Avenues for accessing prescription medicine
Advice for retirement villages
Fact sheet for older Australians
www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-information-for-older-australians
The Australian Government’s fact sheet for older Australians, their family and friends outlines how to protect older Australians from the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19). It includes advice on:
What COVID-19 is
How COVID-19 is spread
Symptoms
Who needs to get tested
Whether to go out
What it means for recipients of Home Care Packages
Visiting friends and family
Wearing masks
Getting help
Attending events
Other fact sheets
Frequently asked questions : https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-frequently-asked-questions
Information for families and residents on restricted visits to residential aged care facilities :
https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-information-for-families-and-residents-on-restricted-visits-to-residential-aged-care-facilities
Isolation guidance :
https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-isolation-guidance
Identifying the symptoms :
https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-identifying-the-symptoms
Limits on public gatherings :
www.health.gov.au/news/health-alerts/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov-health-alert/coronavirus-covid-19-advice-for-public-gatherings-and-visits-to-vulnerable-groups
Limits on dispensing medicines :
www.psa.org.au/limits-on-dispensing-to-ensure-equitable-access-of-medicines/
Home Medicines Services for vulnerable and self-isolated people (delivery of prescription medicines) :
www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/covid-19-national-health-plan-primary-care-home-medicines-services-to-support-the-response-to-covid-19
Information for healthcare and residential care workers :
www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-information-for-health-care-and-residential-care-workers
Videos by the Australian Government
The Australian Department of Health has produced several videos on COVID-19, including:
State or territory health departments
Australian Capital Territory : ACT Government Health
New South Wales : NSW Government Health
Northern Territory : Northern Territory Government
Queensland : Queensland Government Health and Wellbeing
South Australia : SA Health
Tasmania : Tasmanian Government Department of Health
Victoria : Victoria State Government Health and Human Services
Western Australia : Government of Western Australia Department of Health
Other resources
The national healthdirect website also contains useful resources and reliable free health advice. See : www.healthdirect.gov.au/coronavirus
Looking for more technical information? The Coronavirus Tech Handbook which is a crowdsourced library of tools, services and resources relating to the COVID-19 response.
To obtain information over the telephone, call the Australian Government’s National Coronavirus Health Information Line on 1800 020 080. The hotline operates around the clock every day of the week. For translating or interpreting services, call 131 450.
The Disability Information Helpline 1800 647 787 provides information and referrals for people with disability, families, carers and support workers who need help because of coronavirus. The Helpline is free, private and fact-checked.
If you are deaf, or have a hearing or speech impairment, you can also call the National Relay Service on 133 677.
The GCMA invites you to share your experiences with us of changes you have needed to navigate during this unprecedented time. What has worked well for you so far? And what has not? As an organisation committed to improving the lives of older people around the world, we are gathering information to inform businesses, industries and governments of potential changes to products and services that could improve quality of life now and into the future. If you would like to share your insights, we invite you to get in touch with our researchers via email at covidsurvey@gcma.net.au or click here to take part in our short, online survey.
