Media statements

Acknowledgements

Big thank you to Ironside Construction 

Doutta Galla would like to specially thank Ironside Construction who have very generously donated P2 Value Respirator masks to add to our Personal Protective Equipment requirements.  This terrific and charitable gift means a lot to us and to our residents and families. 

Thank you CCCAV for your kind donation.

Doutta Galla Aged Services wishes to acknowledge and thank our friends and partners at Chinese Community Council of Australia (CCCAV) for their generous and kind donation of masks to boost our Personal Protective Equipment stocks and to assist in protecting our residents and staff. We would particularly like to thank Li Zhang, President of CCCAV and Dr. Jimmy Li, Secretary of the CCCAV for making the time to deliver the masks in person to Doutta Galla.  Their generosity means a lot to us, our staff and our residents and their families.

Image of Li Zhang and Sandra Wade from Doutta Galla Aged Services.

Acknowledging staff and bringing joy to our residents

As the CEO I want to acknowledge and thank our staff and the residents for their understanding as we continue to keep our homes safe and secure during this difficult time.

To raise the spirits of our staff and residents, I have delivered lollies and chocolate Easter bunnies to them at each of our homes, with a little poem written by our very own George Koulis the General Manager of Commercial and Corporate Services.

Thank you George.

We would like to thank Gill Walker and Jeremy Hayne from Evergreen Marketing and Advertising for your ongoing support and assistance with communications to our Doutta Galla community through this difficult time.

Heartful thanks

Doutta Galla would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the Chinese Australian League Against COVID-19 for your kind gift of masks and thank Xinxin for delivering them.                                                                                                  

This gift will help staff feel safer at work and give them more confidence to continue their essential work.

Again, thank you very much. This really will make a difference to Doutta Galla staff and residents.

Image of XinXin on behalf of Chinese Australian League Against COVID-19 and Sandra Wade on behalf of Doutta Galla Aged Services

Residents and staff pay tribute to Victorian Police

Residents and staff from Doutta Galla’s Lynch’s Bridge Aged Care Home would like to acknowledge and thank the Victorian Police force for the magnificent work they do every hour of every day to keep Victorians safe.

We would particularly like to pay tribute to the police officers who lost their life this week whilst helping to keep the community safe.  Our thoughts and prayers are with their families, colleagues and the Victorian Police force.

Parkville Café donates masks

Doutta Galla Aged Services wishes to acknowledge and thank Ms Cindy Qiu from Parkville Café who has very kindly donated masks to Doutta Galla Aged Services.

Ms Qin was introduced to Doutta Galla by our good friends and partners from the Chinese Community Council of Australia(CCCAV).   Li Zhang, President of CCCAV and Dr. Jimmy Li, Secretary of the CCCAV kindly picked up the masks donated by Ms Qiu from outside the Royal Children’s hospital (pictured) and delivered them to Doutta Galla in Footscray. Once again thank you for your very generous and kind donation.

Schiavello Manufacturing donates safe and secure storage for PPE

On behalf of everyone at Doutta Galla Aged Services we would like to acknowledge the generous donation of safe, secure and easily accessible warehouse storage from David Disauro and Schiavello Manufacturing Pty Ltd. David organised and provided Doutta Galla with free, storage for a recently received large shipment of PPE.

Thank you ‘Love the LIFE Community’ for acknowledging our workers

On behalf of everybody at Doutta Galla Queens Park aged care, I would like to say a very big thank you to the Love the LIFE Community Church for your thoughtful gift of chocolates that arrived at our home on Thursday 28 May for our staff and residents.

It was a pleasant surprise to receive the gift of chocolates, it has put a smile on the faces of our staff and our residents.  Your kind gesture and the acknowledgement that you have noticed and valued the work we do means the world to us at this particularly difficult time.

I can assure you and your community that our dedication to the care and safety of our residents at Queens Park, remains our highest priority.  Every minute of every day we do our very best to provide professional, compassionate and loving care. Once again, thank you for your kindest and thoughtfulness.

On behalf of everybody at Doutta Galla Aged Services I would like to extend our thanks to Bulla Dairy Foods for donating Choc Tops for our residents living in f our aged care homes in Melbourne’s west. Fifteen hundred Choc Top is more than most of us have ever seen at once!

Our residents have expressed their gratitude for your generosity, as gifts like the Choc Tops help to make their day a particularly good one. 

The joy on the faces of our residents when eating the Choc Tops was especially wonderful given the difficult times of restricted visitations and on these cold yet often sunny winter days, was a real delight for our staff. Seeing our residents enjoying the ice creams has a positive effect on everyone including our staff.

On behalf of everyone at Doutta Galla we would like to thank Procurement Australasia for recommending us for the donation of ice creams from Bulla Dairy Foods, this very thoughtful gesture is very much appreciated.

It was a pleasant surprise last week when Neil our Account Manager called to let us know that Bulla Dairy Foods wished to donate a substantial number of Choc Top ice creams to organisations like Doutta Galla. 

Neil kindly recommended us to Bulla Dairy and as a result we have taken delivery of some 1500 ice creams which have now been distributed to our 450 residents living in our seven homes in Melbourne’s west, meaning they will get to have at least 3 ice creams each over the coming weeks. 

The residents were particularly grateful to receive this donation as having a Choc Top ice cream often brings back particularly happy memories for many people.

Doutta Galla Aged Services would like to acknowledge and thank the children from St. Therese Primary School in Essendon for the wonderful video for our residents. The children, teachers and principal from St Therese Primary School in Essendon are commended for this initiative.

The video contained special messages of support from the students to our elderly residents. This initiative was heartfelt as it brightened the day of both residents and staff and it has certainly lifted all of our spirits.  Thankyou. 

Doutta Galla Aged Services would like to acknowledge and thank the Yarraville community for your support during this difficult time.

Doutta Galla’s Aged Care Home in Yarraville, has experienced a serious COVID-19 outbreak. The Home is located near a local park and train station.  The local community frequently pass by the Home and have been a part of the Home’s local community.

Recently (August 2020) a local artist Laura Battely dropped a painting in for the Home to lift the spirits of the residents. Local children passing the Home would stop and say ‘hello’ to residents through their bedroom windows, motivating residents to be up, dressed and ready for the visit. Others in the community have dropped off cards, flowers and gifts to lift the spirits of our residents.

Thankyou for the bottom our hearts, it means the world to us.

Doutta Galla Aged Services would like to acknowledge the Yarraville Club for providing afternoon tea for the staff and residents at Yarraville Village.

This kind gesture was much appreciated by the residents and staff as they worked hard during the recent COVID19 restrictions.

Doutta Galla Aged Services wishes to acknowledge and thank Evergreen Advertising and Marketing for facilitating the gift of chocolates for Doutta Galla staff.  We would like to acknowledge and thank The Chocolate Box for supplying and delivering chocolates to our sites for staff to enjoy on National Aged Care Employee Day in August.

Doutta Galla Aged Services would like to acknowledge and thank the following organisations for their support.

OPAN – Craig Gear CEO, for your ongoing support.  Doutta Galla Aged Services wishes to acknowledge and thank OPAN for the support and care provided to our residents and their families.

Elderly Rights Advocacy

Support from Local providers

  • Co Health
  • Maribyrnong Council
  • Jimmies Coffee Cart

Frequently Asked Questions

Updated 2 July 2020

This information is for residents, families and friends.

Access to Doutta Galla Aged Care homes has been restricted to essential services and Doutta Galla staff only to prevent the spread of COVID-19 into our homes.  The essential services include: medical practitioners including GPs, Geriatricians, palliative care specialists, other medical specialists, pharmacy services, specialist nurses and allied health services such as physiotherapists.

All Doutta Galla and essential services staff will be required to sign a declaration prior to entry to the home daily to confirm that they:

  • Have not been in contact with a person in the past 14 days who has experienced fever or symptoms of COVID-19 or has an acute respiratory infection 
  • Agree to provide Doutta Galla Aged Services with medical proof of having received the 2020 Flu Vaccination 
  • Have not returned from any form of overseas travel, or been required for any reason to self -isolate in the last 14 days
  • Have not been in contact with a confirmed case of COVID -19 in the last 14 days
  • Do not have a fever or symptoms consistent with COVID-19 (including but not limited to dry cough, sore or scratchy throat, runny nose, loss of taste or smell, gastro or nausea) or have an acute respiratory infection
  • Have not been in contact with any person, including family, who has returned from overseas in the past 14 days or who has experienced fever or symptoms of COVID-19 or has an acute respiratory infection
  • Agree to have your temperature scanned before entering this residential home
  • Agree to not enter this residential home if your temperature is (≥38°C).

The risk of serious illness from COVID-19 increases with age. The highest rate of fatalities is among older people, particularly those with other serious health conditions or a weakened immune system. There is currently no cure or vaccine for COVID-19, or immunity in the community. 

  • Even if you are feeling well it is important to take steps to prevent the spread of this virus. Good hygiene and taking care when interacting with other people are the best defences for you and your family against COVID-19. This includes:

    • Covering your coughs and sneezes with your elbow or a tissue
    • Disposing of tissues immediately they are used, into a dedicated waste bin and washing your hands
    • 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 you have touched
    • Where possible, stay 1.5 metres away from other people an example of “social distancing”
    • If you are sick, avoiding contact with others.
  • Yes. Doutta Galla Aged Care Services will take new residents during the restricted visitation period.
  • Where a special circumstance provision has been granted and your visit is approved, you will be required to comply with entry and screening protocols.
  • New residents will need to provide a medical declaration from their Doctor to confirm they do not have COVID 19 or symptoms of COVID19.
  • Visitor restrictions will continue until further notice, we will continue to review the situation.
  • We will be guided by Government and health and industry experts’ advice. 
  • Currently we do not have a positive case of COVID -19, and we want to keep it that way.
  • If a resident gets sick, medical assistance will be made available as required. 
  • Our staff monitor and observe residents’ vital signs and ensure they are comfortable and have all the medication they need.
  • We will let the Next of Kin know immediately if there is any change in a resident’s health status.
  • Each resident has a care plan and care directives which we follow in the event that a resident’s health status changes.
  • Where it is stated in a resident’s care plan to go to hospital, we work with the hospital to facilitate a transfer.
  •  
  • Residents care and support will not change.  Our staff are always committed to providing the best possible care to our residents.  
  • Our care is provided in line with the requirements of the Commonwealth’s Department of Health’s Aged Care Quality Standards.
  • Meals will not change.  Residents will continue to be offered nutritious home cooked meals in the dining room, or in the resident’s room if that is preferred. 
  • Activities continue to be provided in the home, although large group activities with community entertainers has been suspended for the time being. Activities staff have continued to provide opportunities for residents to meet in small groups and individual support to residents continues to be provided.
  • If there is a significant change in a resident’s health status, we will make arrangements for family members to visit, whilst ensuring other residents and staff remain safe.
  • Essential services and professional health workers including medical practitioners and GPs, Geriatricians, palliative care specialists, other medical specialists, pharmacy services, specialist nurses and allied health services such as physiotherapists are permitted to visit residents.  They are required to comply with entry protocols. 
  • Medicine will be delivered to the residential aged care home as usual.
  • Doctors and other health care professionals will be permitted to visit, especially in urgent cases.  Telehealth is now available for non-urgent medical matters for all residents.
  • Meal times may change. This is to make sure we only have small groups of people gathering in the one space.
  • We will be offering more activities and more staff to provide emotional support. 
  • We will offer small group activities and gatherings where we can to maintain people to sit apart by 2 metres to help stop the spread of any illness.
  • We will help you stay connected to your family and friends by helping you to call them on the phone or via Skype or FaceTime, WhatsApp (this is like a video call).
  • Chat decks’ or window visits.  This means family members can visit and see their loved one through a designated window and can talk to them via a telephone. 
  • Telephone calls to residents are always welcome.   
  • Residents can use their mobile phone to call family if they have one.  We welcome families providing phones for residents with their own phone as this allows for work phones to be used by staff to keep in contact with families and other health care professionals. 
  • Staff will help residents make a phone call or Skype or FaceTime family and friends. 
  • Residents enjoy receiving letters and cards from family members and friends.  Staff can assist residents if they have difficulty with reading.
  • Each home has arrangements in place that are specific to the individual needs of residents.  We recommend that you contact the home to discuss your specific needs and requests.

Yes.  Family and loved ones will be able to support you during your end of life phase.

We will make arrangement with you and your family to honour your end of life directives, whilst ensuring the safety of other residents and staff. 

  • Hairdressing is suspended for the time being. As soon as the visitor restrictions are lifted we will get the hairdresser to come in.
  • Our staff will help to wash your hair and help you to style it.
  • Residents will not be permitted to leave the aged care home to attend an appointment, but we will try to set up a way for appointments with specialists via Telehealth. This means a video consultation. 
  • The doctors are being helped to set up Telehealth consultations. We are also helping with this. 
  • We will keep residents up to date with what is happening with appointments and also will make sure family members are kept informed. 
  • If you have a special event we will do our best to help you celebrate.
  • Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that cause respiratory infections. These can range from the common cold to more serious diseases. COVID-19 is the disease caused by a new coronavirus. It was first reported in December 2019 in Wuhan City in China. It has now become a global pandemic.

  • The virus can spread from person to person through:

    • Close contact with an infectious person (including in the 24 hours before they started showing symptoms)
    • Contact with droplets from an infected person coughing or sneezing
    • Touching objects or surfaces (like doorknobs or tables) that have droplets on them from an infected person, and then touching your mouth or face. 

The symptoms of COVID-19 are similar to colds and flus and can include:

  • Fever 
  • Sore throat
  • Dry persistent cough
  • Shortness of breath
  • Fatigue and lethargy
  • Loss of smell and taste
  • Headaches

Even if you are feeling well it is important to take steps to prevent the spread of this virus. Good hygiene and taking care when interacting with other people are the best defences for you and your family against COVID-19. This includes:

  • Covering your coughs and sneezes with your elbow or a tissue
  • Disposing of tissues immediately they are used, into a dedicated waste bin and washing your hands
  • 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, you have touched
  • Where possible, stay 1.5 metres away from other people an example of “social distancing”
  • If you are sick, avoiding contact with others.

People get tested for coronavirus (COVID-19) at many places across Victoria. To find out what’s available near you, call the 24-hour coronavirus hotline 1800 675 398 or use the map below.

If you have symptoms, you can visit:

  • Your local general practitioner. Call them before you visit. They may perform a test or refer you to a pathology provider for swab collection.
  • A GP respiratory clinic. Visit the Australian Government coronavirus (COVID-19) site for a full list of GP respiratory clinics and how to book an appointment.
  • A Victorian hospital respiratory clinic. 
  • A Community Health Centre respiratory clinic. 
  • A mobile drive-through clinic at a shopping centre. 
  • A regional walk-through clinic.

For more information go to:

https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/getting-tested-coronavirus-covid-19#what-are-the-symptoms-of-coronavirus-covid-19

 

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