Australians with disability are at heightened risk during COVID-19 because many have other health conditions (for example, problems breathing, heart disease, diabetes). This makes them more prone to be sicker or die if they become infected.
People with disability are also quite likely to be poorer, unemployed and socially isolated which make them more likely to experience poor health outcomes during the pandemic.
Many people with disability, particularly those with complex needs, require personal support, which puts them in close contact with other people. Different workers will come through residential disability care settings, sometimes moving between multiple homes and services, just as in aged care.
The potential for coronavirus spread is also high because some residents may have difficulties with physical distancing and personal hygiene. They may have trouble understanding public health recommendations and/or have behavioural or sensory issues that make these recommendations hard to follow.
Aged Care and Disability Care During Covid-19
Federal NDIS Minister Stuart Robert has said disability care and aged care settings differ because aged-care settings tend to be larger than disability accommodation, and this is generally true.
But as well as their vulnerable residents, they share many important similarities including communal living arrangements and a highly mobile, precariously employed workforce.
This is a significant risk factor because casual, low-paid workers have greater incentive to come to work when they’re sick. Recent government moves to provide financial compensation or paid pandemic leave when workers need to take time off to get tested and/or self-isolate are welcome, but came too late.
The disability sector also lacks a “surge workforce” as the people skilled in disability support, especially who are able to step in and provide care in the event usual workers become sick. In aged care, a lack of appropriate workers during the pandemic also lead to negligence in Victoria.
What Could Be Done to Avert the Crisis
- First, we should reduce the number of workers who support people across multiple sites. Some states have banned staff working across multiple aged care sites to minimise contacts. This approach might be more difficult in disability services, but we should encourage it wherever possible within workforce constraints.
- The federal government should update current guidelines for disability support workers around PPE and enhance their training in its use.
- Where residents are suspected or confirmed to have coronavirus, they must be separated from uninfected residents to prevent spread. If the facility they’re in is too small to accommodate this, it may mean moving them to another appropriate location.
- Finally, we need urgent action to create surge disability support workforce capacity and trained health staff who can be rapidly deployed to work alongside disability support workers if the situation deteriorates.
Courtesy: www.theconversation.com
