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Hello NurseWatch Family, Community and New Clients,
Welcome to NurseWatch Healthcare. I hope this finds you and your loved ones safe and in good health. Please take a couple of minutes to read our COVID-19 information announcement.
Our purpose at NurseWatch is to care for people and allow them to be their best. It is that simple, and it is the centre of everything we do. With the recent unsettling times, NurseWatch looks into the future and towards COVID-19 (coronavirus) management and recovery.
NurseWatch wants to help you experience the joy of our holistic health care with a stronger presence on safety and wellbeing. We have taken comprehensive measures to implement guidelines as directed by the Australian Government Department of Health Guidelines.
If you are a new client we respectfully request you to follow our 5 step process:
1. Download the COVid-19 App
The Australian Government has released an app to help in contact tracing people who may have been exposed to COVID-19. The COVIDSafe app helps find close contacts of COVID-19 cases by utilising your smartphone’s Bluetooth capabilities to determine whether you have been in close physical contact with someone who has tested positive to COVID-19. COVIDSafe is completely voluntary.
2. Read and understand the Public Health Order, ‘What you Must Do Under New Coronavirus Rules’, dated 6 July 2020: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/diseases/Documents/easy-read-pho-directions.pdf
3. If you feel unwell, please click on the symptom checker tool link below and follow the prompts:
• https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/symptom-checker/tool
4. The latest Australian Government Information: As socially responsible citizens, it is important that we keep abreast of the daily updates of each respective state. The link below provides current updates.
5. Referrals: All new clients require a referral from a registered medical practitioner being a general practitioner and/or medical specialist.
*Please note: Unfortunately, as of 18 December 2020 NurseWatch will not be accepting new clients from the Northern Beaches to Mosman Area, Sydney, due to the COVID-19 situation. We will regularly update our service capability as the situation improves.
NURSEWATCH HEALTHCARE RESOURCES
All resources supplied are available in different languages, however, are defaulted to English. Please follow prompts on website to preferred language
To assist you please refer to government links below:
• Older Persons COVID-19 Support Line Phone 1800 171 866 open 8.30 am - 6.00pm weekdays (AEST) free of charge. Supported by COTA, Dementia Australia, National Seniors Australia, OPAN and the Australian Government Department of Health https://www.facebook.com/opanaus/videos/704485933707079/
• General Information: https://www.health.gov.au/resources/collections/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov-resources
• Advice for people who are at greater risk: risk: https://www.health.gov.au/resources/collections/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov-resources
• Understanding COVID-19: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BtN-goy9VOY&feature=youtu.be
• Understanding the difference between a Pandemic, Epidemic-endemic and an Outbreak: https://intermountainhealthcare.org/blogs/topics/live-well/2020/04/whats-the-difference-between-a-pandemic-an-epidemic-endemic-and-an-outbreak/
• WHO (World Health Organisation) Information: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019 & https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public/myth-busters
EXISTING CLIENTS:
For our existing clients, your Health Concierge Clinician has been in touch to discuss your personalised healthcare journey through COVID-19, with NurseWatch practice of policy and procedure recommendations guided by the Australian Government.
As each of our client’s healthcare journey is individual, please find below information and resources.
YOUR WELLBEING:
Throughout the COVID-19 recovery phase and beyond, NurseWatch will continue to provide and manage your individual care needs, safety and wellbeing. Your holistic healthcare will continue to be provided through our premium services and LiveitUp® Model of Care.
If you require further information regarding our COVID-19 approach, please refer to Beyond Blue website and ’10 Ways to Look After Yourself’. An excellent resource.
• Beyond Blue Telephone: 1800 512 348
NURSEWATCH HEALTHCARE COMMUNITY:
For our LGBTI Community:
• https://www.acon.org.au/what-we-are-here-for/covid19/
Positive Life NSW – Getting practical about COVID-19 and HIV:https://www.positivelife.org.au/latest-news/covid19-resources.html
• Or phone (02) 9206 2000 or 1800 063 060 for confidential counselling
ACON/naphwa/ashm/afao: Making sense of COVID-19 – LGBTIQ and HIV communities:https://www.acon.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/AFAO-NAPWHA-ASHM-Fact-Sheet-COVID-19-9-March-2020_ACON.pdf
For our Trans and gender diverse people:
TransHub – Australia’s first digital information/resource platform for trans and gender diverse people in NSW, their families, and health providers. Created by trans people, for trans people. This is their COVID-19 specific information: https://www.transhub.org.au/covid19
For our Cognitive Impairment Community:
• https://www.safetyandquality.gov.au/our-work/cognitive-impairment/cognitive-impairment-and-covid-19
Dementia :
Dementia Australia – Coronavirus – tips for people living with dementia: https://www.dementia.org.au/sites/default/files/helpsheets/DA_COVID19_Helpsheet_04_PLWD-v2.pdf
For our Community languages/CALD community:
https://www.sbs.com.au/language/coronavirus
Disability : Disability Information Helpline: 1800 643 787
Council for Intellectual Disability – Easy-read coronavirus information:https://cid.org.au/covid-19/
Australian Department of Health – information for family, carers and health workers supporting people with disability during the COVID-19 pandemic:https://www.health.gov.au/news/health-alerts/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov-health-alert/advice-for-people-at-risk-of-coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-covid-19-advice-for-people-with-disability
The Growing Space – COVID-19 hub: www.thegrowingspace.com.au/covid19/
For our Carers:
CarerHelp – COVID-19 information and resources for carers: factsheets and infographics with practical information, pointers, and resources. The resources discuss how to care for a person at home and hospital, as well as arranging funerals and managing grief. Pointers on using telehealth to consult with a health professional, and selecting trustworthy online information are also presented:https://www.carerhelp.com.au/tabid/6001/Default.aspx
For our Families:
Health Consumers NSW have developed a guide to support families when visiting their loved one.
Wearing Masks:
Wear a mask if it is hard to maintain 1.5 metres of physical distance from others. Also wear a mask if you have symptoms and are seeking medical advice, or if you are in isolation in the same room as another person.
Video produced by the Australian Department of Health
https://publish.viostream.com/play/bfxgwognhhfmnn
https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/face-masks?mc_cid=76d9c3ba0a&mc_eid=%5bUNIQID%5d
Mask Wearing Fact Sheet:
Masks are increasingly being recommended within Australia as well as globally. In some areas they are now mandatory. But it is important to understand why many of us with trauma histories may be triggered when we are asked to wear a mask, or even when we see them. An excellent resource.
https://www.blueknot.org.au/Resources/Fact-Sheets/face-masks-and-complex-trauma
INFORMATION FOR SPECIFIC HEALTH CONDITIONS:
Cancer
Cancer Council NSW – Cancer and COVID-19 hub:https://www.cancercouncil.com.au/get-support/covid-19/
Bowel Cancer Australia – COVID-19 & Bowel Cancer:https://www.bowelcanceraustralia.org/media-centre/covid-19-bowel-cancer
American Prostate Cancer Foundation: https://www.pcf.org/covid-19/
Kidney health
Kidney Health Australia – COVID-19 and dialysis, transplants etc:https://kidney.org.au/about-us/news/coronavirus-covid-19
Palliative Care:
COVID-19 Resources for Carers; Information for anyone caring for a person at end of life during COVID-19 pandemic – factsheets:https://www.carerhelp.com.au/tabid/6001/Default.aspx
Heart disease
Australian Heart Foundation – COVID-19 and heart disease, all you need to know:https://campaigns.heartfoundation.org.au/covid-19/
Australian Heart Research Institute – COVID-19 and heart health:www.hri.org.au/health/your-health/lifestyle/covid-19-and-heart-health
Smoking
iCanQuit – COVID-19 and smoking FAQ:www.icanquit.com.au/reasons-to-quit/covid-19-and-tobacco-smoking-faq
IF YOU ARE THINKING OF REMOVING YOUR LOVED ONE FROM THEIR PRESENT HOME IN A RESIDENTIAL AGED CARE FACILITY
We are happy to assist. Although we highly recommend you listen to OPAN Older Person's Advocacy Network webinair before making your final decision in consultation with your loved one.
If you would like to review the slides, please click on the link below
https://opan.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/OPAN-C19-W14-Graphics-190820.-HiRespdf.pdf
We understand that COVID-19 has created uncertainty in aged care and that you may think it appropriate to take your loved one out of their aged care home. If you or someone you know needs assistance or is considering this, call OPAN on 1800 700 600.
NURSEWATCH HEALTHCARE CUSTOMER ENQUIRIES:
• NurseWatch Healthcare front, middle and back office staff are working in ways that support social distancing. https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/2020/03/coronavirus-covid-19-information-on-social-distancing.pdf. Due to the change in our working environment, we respectfully request that you are patient with your inquiries. If there is an emergency, please phone 000.
• NurseWatch Healthcare staff are working in ways to keep ourselves, colleagues, community, and clients safe. Our staff are 100% compliant with ISO 9001:2016 regulatory requirements.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me on +61448 885 201.
On behalf of our NurseWatch Healthcare family thank you for your support.
Kind regards
Kate Spurway, CEO
YOU'RE ALWAYS WELCOME AT NURSEWATCH HEALTHCARE
Need to book more than once? Not a problem, you can add the same package multiple times.
Once you complete the booking form simply click add Multi Care and add as many packages as you require at different or sequential times.
In Australia, there are over one million people living at home alone. Now, a new Smart Home technology will support these people by detecting and predicting when something goes wrong, then then alerting a family member or care provider.
The new technology is called Umps Health, and was first developed in 2016 by Adam Jahnke, who was inspired by his own family’s experience supporting his grandpa to continue living at home after a fall.
Adam was working at the intersection of public health and technology at the time. “It was a natural instinct for me to look to technology to support my family – in addition to all of the time we were spending with him. My grandpa already had the typical falls detection system – a button and pendant that is worn around the neck. The issue was that he didn’t wear it sometimes and if he fell, we would find out about it after it had happened.”
So Adam developed a new technology which could work for his grandpa. Once installed, it worked so well Adam realised it could benefit many more people. So he started a company and logically, he called it ‘Umps Health’ as calls his grandpa ‘Umps.’
The Umps Health Smart Home is supporting a growing number of older Australians who live at home independently
At a time when the percentage of Australians over 65 will reach 25 per cent by 2050 and aged care is expected to be the fastest growing spending item (after the National Disability Insurance Scheme) this year, growing at over 7 per cent per annum, technology like Umps Health is likely to be a major help to a large number of people. Technology like this is also in tune with the Australian government’s recent initiative to move 80 per cent of aged care into the home by 2050.
As Adam says: “Already today, we’re facing huge shortages in the aged care workforce – so the system we have today can’t scale to meet the increase in demand for aged care services over the next decade. Innovations like Umps Health will be essential to the sustainability of the aged care system, and improving outcomes for older Australians across the spectrum of aged care services”.
How does the Umps Health Smart Home work?
When Adam first looked at the types of technology supporting older people to remain at home, he discovered that the majority of people with a personal alarm tend to not wear the pendants around the home. “People feel safe and comfortable in the home they’ve been living in for sometimes 50 to 60 – or even 70 years. So it’s hard to actually imagine yourself lying on the floor, unable to call for help” says Adam.
He says the Umps Health Smart Home is different because it acts as a safety net which sits in the background and if something does go wrong, it’s picked up quickly: “Our analytics platform identifies that the fridge hasn’t been opened and the kettle hasn’t been used, or the TV hasn’t been turned off and the bedside lamp hasn’t been turned off – that sort of thing. It then raises an alert which goes out as a text to family members. We can see up to 40 or 50 interactions in the home a day so we do pick up reasonably quickly if there’s a change in behaviour,” he says.
Adam adds that the Smart Home also looks out for changes in activity which occurs before an incident happens. “For example, the fridge is usually opened about 23 or 24 times a day. If the analytics platform detects that it has only been opened a couple of times over the previous few days, this could indicate a decline in appetite or restriction of mobility which comes before a lot of health incidents that lead to hospitalisations. So we can actually provide these kinds of insights as well, so intervention can happen before someone needs to go to hospital,” he says.
When the Umps Health system finds something unusual, it sends an alert to the family or carer by text message. “The system will send a message that tells the nominated contact that the fridge has only been opened twice. A decrease in appetite often comes before a major health incident. We recommend checking in,” says Adam.
A focus on protecting the privacy of the older person
The Umps Health Smart Home is different from other solutions because it doesn’t use cameras or motion sensors. The system works entirely off interactions with existing home appliances, which Adam says their customers find reassuring.
“It’s a solution that’s really easy for people to understand, install and maintain themselves. The plugs themselves are very non-intrusive, and people don’t have to worry about changing any batteries. We’ve had people using the Smart Home for years – it just becomes a part of everyday life for people”.
“Of course, we also never share any information to people without a person’s consent. The only people to receive alerts and insights are the older person themselves and their nominated contacts. And even then, we’re only sending alerts when something is out of the norm – so our users’ are really comfortable that their privacy is being preserved”.
Simple to install, simple to maintain
When asked if the Umps Health Smart Home is easy to install, Adam says: “Anyone can install it – we’ve had an 88-year-old woman who doesn’t have the internet install it for her brother in ten minutes. It’s just a matter of plugging the hub in and then plugging the plugs in-between the appliances”.
Adam adds they get a lot of positive feedback from people who have the system: “They say they’re more comfortable in their home because of it and their family members are more comfortable as well,” he says.
“We’ve had some really great feedback from people saying they like the idea of this safety net looking after. It’s comforting for them to know if something goes wrong, their family members will be notified,” he adds.
Umps Health for care providers
The Umps Health Smart Home can be used for care providers as well as family members: “We can raise an alert to a care provider as well,” says Adam. “We have a provider portal where a provider can view all of the clients they’re managing. So a case manager could have between 40 and 70 clients and they’d be able to view which clients need the most urgent care.”
Umps Health is based in Melbourne but there are already people all around Australia using the Umps Health Smart Home. The company is now working with a number of home care providers to offer the technology to people on home care packages, but people can also purchase Umps Health directly from Umps Health’s website.
For more information, call NurseWatch on (02) 9331 3344 or send your enquiry here.
Or call Umps Health on 1300 907 272 or visit www.umpshealth.com