Disability support workers and carers - COVID-19

If you support someone with a disability, there are things you can do to help them during COVID-19. We appreciate the work that carers are doing to reduce the risk of COVID-19.

Dangers of COVID-19 for people with disability

People with disability may be more vulnerable to COVID-19 especially if they:

• have a compromised immune system
• are aged 70 years and over
• are a First Nations person aged 50 years or over
• are living in supported accommodation or group residential settings.

Some people with disability may be at an increased risk because they:

• have high support needs and higher rates of pre-existing health conditions
• live in group residential settings, which may increase their risk of contracting the virus
• may face barriers in accessing healthcare and information
• may face disruptions to regular medication and services.

These factors may make people with disability more susceptible to contracting the virus. They can also experience more severe symptoms, which may lead to a higher chance of fatality.

Leaving home to care for someone

As a carer, support worker or volunteer, you are providing an essential service that must continue. Care and support should be still delivered to care recipients. Maintaining continuity of service important, as is staying connected.

If you are providing informal support, you should follow the guidelines for social distancing where practicable.

Information for families of people with intellectual or developmental disabilities (PDF) provides guidance to support people with intellectual or developmental disability to access health care during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Getting sick

If you feel unwell, you should be tested for COVID-19. If you have significant difficulties accessing a testing clinic due to your responsibilities as a carer, please contact 13 HEALTH (13 43 25) and speak to a clinician about your options.

If you are a paid support worker, you must isolate and not provide care until you get your test results. You must also alert your employer if you:

• have been in contact with someone diagnosed with COVID-19
• have a fever or any symptoms of respiratory illness—such as a cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, runny nose, nasal congestion, loss of taste and loss of smell
• have been tested for COVID-19 and not received your results
• are in a group who are more vulnerable to serious infection.
• work across multiple care settings or environments with vulnerable people.

If you are providing care for a friend or family member, you should not provide care if you are unwell. If you provide informal support to a person with disability and are sick, call the Community Recovery Hotline 1800 173 349 for help.

Preventing the spread of COVID-19

Avoiding exposure is the single most important way to prevent the spread of COVID-19. When providing care to people with disability and physical distancing cannot be maintained, support workers should consider wearing a face mask. The face mask will help to stop any germs that you may be carrying from being passed on.

To protect those in your care use the following actions:

• depending on your exposure, wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE)
• except for direct care duties, maintain a distance of 1.5 metres from care recipients or clients
• always use standard precautions for preventing infection – such as hand hygiene before and after any physical contact.
• get tested if you have any symptoms of being unwell – such as scratchy throat, loss of taste, cough, cold, fever, or flu symptoms and stay home until you have received your test result.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Disability providers should continue to access PPE through their usual channels where possible.

The Queensland Government has established a COVID-19 Supplier portal for matching buyers and suppliers in response to the demand for PPE due COVID-19.

NDIS providers can directly claim the costs of PPE for workers from the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA). NDIS service providers that cannot access PPE through their usual processes, should contact the National Medical Stockpile by emailing NDISCOVIDPPE@health.qld.gov.au.

Other providers that are unable to access PPE should contact 13 HEALTH (13 43 25) or the local Public Health Unit.

Infection control training

Carers and support workers can access free online training. Infection control education may help to reduce the risk of getting COVID-19.

Resources have been developed to support appropriate use of PPE for disability support workers:

• Commonwealth Department of Health: COVID-19 Wearing PPE for Disability Support Workers
• Commonwealth Department of Health: COVID-19 advice for Disability Care Providers

Getting vaccinated for influenza

It is important that you get the free flu vaccination as soon as it is available from your doctor or pharmacy. Being vaccinated against influenza will help protect yourself and those receiving your care, as they may be more vulnerable to serious complications from influenza. This is beneficial as they are more vulnerable to serious complications from influenza.

Eligible individuals get the vaccine for free under the National Immunisation Program (NIP). Visit the Australian Government Flu (influenza) vaccination service for more information.

More resources for support workers and carers

• Information for families (PDF)
• Information for disability support providers and workers (PDF)
• Information for support workers and carers on coronavirus (COVID-19) testing for people with disability (PDF)

The Australian Human Rights Commission has developed some practical guidelines to ensure that human rights considerations inform the decisions made by disability workers when supporting people with disability.