#61: Covid Pandemic - Have We Recovered?

Podcast Show Notes – S2 Aged Care Ep 3 PODCAST DETAILS ● 17 September 2024 ● So You Work in Aged Care ● Covid Pandemic: Have We Recovered?- Episode 3 of 6 OVERVIEW In episode 3 of the 6-part series for the So You Work in Aged Care podcast, we continue to explore the burning issues, news and trends affecting the aged care workforce in Australia today. There’s no doubt the Covid pandemic impacted the aged care workforce in a myriad of ways. While the extent of restrictions and lockdowns have somewhat eased, we are still undoubtably living and working with Covid in our midst. So how is this impacting our wellbeing? We’ll also discuss a local movement that is gaining traction globally called ‘Open the Doors 2030’ which aims to unite people across the world to come together to discuss and share ideas and strategies to improve the lives of those living with dementia. KEY TOPICS Working on the frontline with Covid today [2:52] Since the early days of the pandemic back in 2020, the vast majority of the aged care workforce have experienced the challenges of supporting clients with Covid. While the lockdowns and PPE may not be as extreme as they once were, we are still faced with regular outbreaks that require isolation of clients, which has far-reaching effects on both the residents and staff. To some extent, Covid has been normalised in society, however for those on the frontline, working with the elderly who are vulnerable to serious illness, there is an added layer of stress, as we constantly worry about unintentionally bringing Covid into the workplace. On top of this, many of our clients have become withdrawn as a result of the isolation and fear they have experienced throughout the pandemic, which adds a further layer of challenges and mental load to our work. Where do we go from here? [13:49] More than four years on from the start of the pandemic, it is clear that Covid is not going away. So where do we go from here? Interestingly, many of the deeper issues we are dealing with in aged care – for example, loneliness, social disconnection and losses in late life – have always been there, but Covid has added another layer of complexity to the equation. There is no doubt it is challenging, for all those working on the frontline. Covid has had a serious impact on worker wellbeing, particularly for those within the aged care sector. In these times, it is so important to look after ourselves and strive for a healthy work-life balance. Not easy, I know, but so worth it. What is trending? [16:57] More than a movement, ‘Open the Doors 2030’ is fast becoming a catalyst for global change. Led by Nicole Smith, gerontologist, registered nurse and COO of Community House Australia, #OTD2030 aims to bring the best people together, from renowned experts to those supporting elders at a grassroots level, to create positive change in the way we talk about and care for those living with dementia. Currently in the early stages, #OTD2030 is gaining momentum worldwide. Follow Nicole on LinkedIn to keep up to date with news and events and stay tuned for the website (coming soon). You can also reach out via email: [email protected] CONNECT ● Email ● Instagram ● Facebook ● LinkedIn COMING SOON Resilient Worker – new workshop coming soon Our new workshop will cover the burning issues affecting aged care workers today. Head to our website to find out more – Resilient Worker