Infection prevention and control, also known as IPC, are the steps and processes that people can use to reduce the spread of harmful germs and bacteria. People who visit aged care services and people receiving care can help support IPC processes so that everyone is safe.
Infection prevention and control resources
- Hand hygiene: helping others with hand hygiene - learn how to clean another person's hands
- Hand hygiene: cleaning hands with sanitiser – learn how to clean your hands with sanitiser in this short video
- Hand hygiene: washing hands with soap – learn how to clean your hands with handwashing in this short video
- Wearing a mask – learn how to put your P2 or N95 mask on and check its fit in this short video.
Partnerships in care program for older Australians
A Partnership in care program helps people living in aged care to keep in contact with family or friends even if there’s an infectious outbreak. Continuing these relationships and companionship is important for people’s health and wellbeing.
A resident can choose a close family member or friend as a ‘partner in care'. The aged care home and the partner then put a formal partnership in place. Partners in care can continue to visit even during an infectious outbreak.
Having a partner agreement means the resident can have continuity of care if the partner isn’t able to visit. The agreement lists the care and activities that the partner is doing for the resident. This makes sure the service understands and can support any important activities while the partner is away. This makes sure the resident keeps getting the care they need.
To become a partner in care a person needs to do basic training in infection prevention and control. They will also need to understand what they need to do to enter an aged care home during an outbreak. Partners can do training by using the resources links in the list below.
Partners in care program resources
- Partner fact sheet – explains partnerships in care to family and close friends of residents.
- Visiting essentials for partners in care – an online learning module exploring infection prevention and control for partners in care.
- Visiting essentials during an infectious outbreak – an online learning module focusing on keeping safe during an infectious outbreak.
- Visiting during an outbreak Quick Reference Guide (QRG) – this A4 resource explains the key things for partners in care to remember when visiting an aged care home during an outbreak.
- Partnerships in care – Partner information package. An information package for all people visiting and volunteering in residential aged care. This resource is available in 26 languages.
Residential aged care providers
Information and resources have also been developed for aged care providers. You can find information on our Supporting visitors and partners in care provider page.
