Welcome to our first edition of the Community Care News Digest for 2022! In this edition of the News Digest you will read about all the latest updates, information, resources and events that are happening across the region.

As we enter into our third year of the pandemic, we are reminded that although the dangers of COVID-19 are still present and ongoing, so are the tireless efforts of the frontline workers in all areas of the community sector.

Aged care workers have been through multiple hurdles throughout the course of the pandemic due to the immense impact of Covid-19 in the aged care space, amplified by aged care reforms to implement the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Aged Care. Fortunately, this critical workforce is set to receive a bonus payment of up to $800 to eligible staff in Government subsidised home care and residential care. Carers in particular have experienced significant challenges during the pandemic, for example taking on added responsibilities and stresses while caring for a vulnerable person when formal services were limited or inaccessible. The position statement by Carers NSW in this edition of the News Digest highlights this and other issues, as well as their own response.

There are several COVID-19 resources which will be helpful in helping to stay safe and cope with the ever-changing situation we are all in. These include information about booster vaccinations for residential aged care workers, an online tool to find NSW COVID-19 testing clinics near you, resources for managing home care through COVID-19, and other COVID-19 resources in Easy Read format. All this information and more can be found in this edition.

As part of the aged care reforms, the Support at Home Program has been scheduled to begin in July 2023. The Department of Health Ageing and Aged Care team has organised a webinar for all aged care workers, families and carers, peak bodies, and other professionals who want to learn more about the program, including a new framework to support these reforms. The webinar will be held on 8 March 2022 – register now to learn more about how this new program will help support independence and self-management of care.

Lastly, there are a number of webinars, workshops and sessions delivered by Aged & Community Services Australia (ACSA), Centre for Cultural Diversity in Ageing, Combined Pensioners & Superannuants Association of NSW Inc (CPSA), and ACON. There is an abundance of knowledge to be gained from these events and we encourage you to register!

For details on these stories and more, please follow the News Digest link below. Also, remember to check in with us on social media and connect with us on LinkedIn.