THE region’s largest aged care provider has appealed to the wider community not to inadvertently bring the potentially deadly influenza virus into its facilities.
The call comes as the state battles a potentially record influenza season and aged care facilities across Mount Gambier implement protocols to prevent the spread of the virus.
While influenza has not affected Boandik’s facilities to date this season despite a number of “sporadic” cases, the provider has urged people to remain vigilant.
This follows Boandik being hit with an outbreak in 2017, which swept across two of its sites.
More than 50 residents were confirmed or suspected to have had the influenza virus during this period.
Boandik executive residential manager Rebecca Turner said the aged care provider wanted to safeguard its residents – who were vulnerable to influenza – against any outbreak.
“It is more likely that visitors to our facilities are the carriers of the virus, along with our staff,” Ms Turner said.
“We heavily promote people washing their hands and using the hand sanitisers at the entry of the homes.”
She urged people who felt unwell or becoming unwell not to visit people in aged care facilities.
“We also tell our residents to wash their hands regularly to keep them clean to stop the spread of the illness,” Ms Turner said.
The facilities also have appropriate signs to remind people of these protocols, which could include exclusion zones.
“It is important people read these notices to know the precautions we have put in place,” Ms Turner said.
She said an outbreak of influenza was a risk given the communal living environment in aged care homes.
Explaining health statistics showed influenza A strain could had peaked, she said the influenza B strain was now coming through.
“You will not know what strain you have until you do a swab,” the aged care employee said.
She said the provider promoted vaccinations among residents, staff and volunteers.
“We had a fantastic uptake of vaccinations this year,” Ms Turner said.
