The following information about the status of our services was updated on Friday 29 May 2020.

Unfortunately, due to the ever-changing nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, we may not be able to provide much notice before we suspend some of our services. We understand this is frustrating, but we are doing all we can to minimise the risk to the health of our clients, residents, staff and volunteers.

This page has our most up-to-date information regarding our impacted sites and services. Please check back regularly for the latest updates.

Aged Care Residences

As of Monday 25 May 2020, we welcome back our residents’ loved ones, in a safe and manageable way.

There are a number of access conditions, outlined in this statement. These arrangements are subject to change depending on the circumstances and risks that may occur in the future.

Please contact the Residential Services Manager for further information or clarification.

Retirement villages and apartments

From 11.59pm this Tuesday night, Victorians will be permitted to have up to five visitors at home and attend public outdoor gatherings of no more than 10 people. Open house inspections to resume with a maximum of 10 people. If you are uncomfortable joining us in a group setting, please contact us to arrange a private inspection.

Community spaces within our villages are closed for all group activities. Gyms, pools, cinemas and billiards tables are closed until further notice.

To minimise risk and protect our staff, enquiries to our retirement village coordinators and managers are to be conducted via phone or email rather than face-to-face contact.

At-Home Aged Care

Personal and domestic services are necessary to healthy living and these services are deemed ‘essential. We continue to provide these services following strict procedures and measures to protect your health and minimise risk.

In addition to these essential services, now may be the time to consider receiving services you have not required previously. The aim of these services is to help you continue to live as ‘normal’ a life as possible and may include personal shopping, cleaning, wellbeing check and social connection and technology/safety.

Before entering your home, our staff will ask you some key questions. This is to protect your safety and ours.

Please tell us if you have travelled overseas or have been in contact with anyone at risk of having COVID-19 before our staff come to your home.

It is likely that our care workforce will be impacted and therefore, some shifts may be cancelled.

Allied health services

Please take note of the following changes to our Allied Health services, remembering that our aim is to keep everyone safe.

Our staff will ask you some key questions before you attend our centre, or before our staff enter your home. Again, this is simply a measure to protect your safety, and ours.

It is likely that our care workforce will be impacted and as a result, some therapy sessions may be cancelled.

Please tell us if you have travelled overseas or have been in contact with anyone at risk of having COVID-19.

Community-based day respite (aged care)

Services are closed at Shanagolden Community Centre, Kialla House, Carinya House, White Road Community Centre and the Multicultural Wellness Centre from 17 March 2020. We will reopen subject to review. Our staff have contacted clients and families to discuss closures and possible alternative supports.

The health and safety of our clients, residents, volunteers, staff and valued customers is paramount and closing these services will assist in ensuring our people remain as safe as possible.

Disability day services (Gateway) in Melbourne

Disability day services at Gateway Wantirna, Kew and Mount Waverly are closed.  At this stage these services will be closed for May 2020.  As soon as we are advised it is safe for you or your loved one to return to the centres, we will notify you immediately.

Disability day services in Ararat

Most of our regular group activities have been cancelled, however we are running some activities on-line, please check with your VMCH staff contact for more information.

Specialist Disability Accommodation

Our Specialist Disability Accommodation is open to residents as usual.  We ask that if people are unwell or been in contact with anyone at risk of having COVID-19, please do not visit the house.

Children’s and Adult’s respite (disability services, short term accommodation)

Our children’s respite houses in Croydon, Ivanhoe, Lilydale and Wheelers Hill are currently open to ensure ongoing support for clients and families. Our adults’ respite house, Porter Road in Heidelberg Heights and children’s respite house, Studley House in Kew are temporarily closed.  This will be reviewed daily.

School holidays, weekend and short breaks (flexi-respite) in Melbourne

All group programs in the community have been cancelled.  Our staff are contacting clients and families to discuss possible alternative supports. All short breaks (camps) are postponed until  further notice.

Day programs, school holiday programs, after school programs and camps in Wangaratta and Ararat

All group programs in the community including our day programs, after school and school holiday programs, and camps are postponed until further notice. We are running some virtual classes with supports and we are still able to offer clients and families one to one supports at home. Please contact our VMCH offices if you would like to discuss support options.

Help at home or in the community (direct care disability services)

One-on-one supports or direct care will continue in people’s home or in the community however we will not visit public places with large gatherings of people such as public pools or the cinema.

Our staff will ask you some key questions before entering your home. This is to protect your safety and ours. It is likely that our care workforce will be impacted and therefore, some shifts may be cancelled.

Please tell us if you have travelled overseas or have been in contact with anyone at risk of having COVID-19 before our staff come to your home.

Support Coordination

All support coordination services continue, however when possible support will be provided over the phone.

Early Childhood and Therapy

Early Childhood and Therapy will continue at this stage, with some alternations. We are working with families and staff on using alternative technology to ensure our children and families are supported.

St Paul’s College

St Paul’s College, Balwyn was closed on Thursday 19 March.  Families will be advised of steps toward our school reopening as soon as possible.

Carers program

Case management support continues, however all carer events are cancelled until further notice.

Op Shops

Most of our Op Shops are currently closed however, Balwyn is open for limited days and  hours.  Heathmont, Wantirna and Ferntree Gully will open with limited hours over the coming weeks.

Volunteers

We have asked volunteers who fall into the ‘high risk’ category to take a short break from volunteering with us.

Thank you for your ongoing support. If you have any specific questions about our services please contact your VMCH staff member or service directly.