Mother’s Day 2020 was one for the ages

Aberlea Mortlake resident Betty Vale with daughters Julie Giacoppo (left) and Penny Timmins (right) enjoyed a special catch up for Mother’s Day on Sunday.

Photo Caption: Aberlea Mortlake resident Betty Vale with daughters Julie Giacoppo (left) and Penny Timmins (right) enjoyed a special catch up for Mother’s Day on Sunday.

Sunday was a Mother’s Day that will never be forgotten for residents at Aberlea in Mortlake when sons and daughters met various COVID-19 guidelines for a special visit.

Aberlea resident liaison officer Debi McAuliffe said strict adherence to the visitation guidelines meant many family members were able to visit their mum or grandmother.

“It’s not lost on our residents or their families how unique the situation is at the moment with Coronavirus and important government measures to keep older members of the community extra safe,” she said.

“Mother’s Day looked a bit different for sure, but as an organisation we’re so thankful to our families who understand why the measures are in place.

“Our families are just as committed as we are to make sure our residents are not exposed to the virus and cooperation provided a safe environment for an extra special 2020 Mother’s Day.”

Ms McAuliffe said the introduction of compulsory 2020 influenza vaccinations for visitors to aged care services from May 1 was a recent and major change to current access arrangements.

“All visitors to Aberlea Mortlake must provide evidence that they have had the current flu shot – that’s mandatory across the aged care sector,” she said.

“We now require all visits to be prearranged so that we can manage when visitors are onsite and limit the total number of visitors onsite at any one time.

“Our residents are currently able to have one 30-minute visit per day from up to two people at the same time.

“All visitors are screened prior to entry to make sure they don’t have a temperature, that they have thoroughly sanitised their hands and that they’ve had the flu shot.”

Ms McAuliffe said although the State and Federal Governments were now beginning a relaxation of public restrictions, aged care providers would be subjected to ongoing visitation restrictions for some time yet.

“For exactly how long we’re not sure yet, but the safety of our residents is paramount and the measures we have in place will stay in place for the foreseeable future,” she said.

“We are also providing many virtual visits for residents by connecting their friends and family for online video chats via Facebook messenger, Facetime and WhatsApp.”

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