Alerts

We thank you so much for your continued understanding and patience over the past month as we have been dealing with the COVID outbreaks. Whilst the large outbreaks are over, we continue to identify some positive cases during our ongoing testing regime.

At this time, we have a total of 4 residents, (1 in Magnolia, 1 in Tulip and 2 in Rose House) who have tested positive to COVID-19. It is pleasing to be able to report that (due to the strain being mild and the antiviral medications administered) they all are relatively well.

We continue to manage our COVID outbreaks under our COVID Outbreak Management Plan in conjunction with a State & Federal Government document, “Guidance for Managing COVID-19 Outbreaks in Residential Aged Care Facilities”. Please note we are regulatorily obliged to operate within these guidelines, which can be found here.

I am pleased to advise the current positive cases remaining minimal we are in a Low-Risk Outbreak.

Shields have been removed, except for when entering a positive resident’s room. Activities can resume as normal, and the café is open to all Residents, staff and visitors (with the exception of covid positive residents who are required to isolate).

We have 8 current Covid cases in Rose house, 2 in Daffodil house and 1 in Tulip house. As, by definition, an outbreak is 2 or more cases within 7 days in one area, the two new cases in daffodil house is now considered another outbreak.

Both the Rose and Daffodil outbreaks are medium risk outbreaks therefore very little changes from our last update – positive residents to remain in their rooms, other residents encouraged to stay within their house, no cross-house activities and shields and masks to be worn in Rose and Daffodil Houses.

Thanks again for your ongoing support and cooperation. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at info@rembrandtliving.org.au or 8198 0300.

We thank you so much for your understanding and patience over the past weeks as we have been dealing with the COVID outbreak in Magnolia House. Whilst we are very happy this large outbreak is over, as per my communication yesterday, we now have an outbreak in Rose House!

Please click here for more information

We are excited to announce that we have finally contained this very contagious strain of COVID and can declare the Rembrandt Court December/January COVID Outbreak complete. All PCR tests conducted on Monday 2nd January 2023 have returned a negative result and all Tulip resident’s rapid antigen test have been returned a negative result today, Friday 6th January 2023.

What does this mean for Rembrandt:

• From Wednesday 4th January, staff were no longer required to wear full PPE in Magnolia House
• N95 Masks and Shields will continue to be required for all staff and visitors for a further 7-14 days (date to be confirmed)
• To avoid further transmission Magnolia residents are to remain in Magnolia House until 7.00am on Saturday 7th January
• Magnolia residents can go out for walks, but we ask that they stay in their own house groups/cohorts
• Group activities can resume in Magnolia with Magnolia residents only
• All other group activities will resume from 9.00am Monday 9th January 2023.

We will continue to monitor the situation closely and we will adjust our policies and processes (with little or no notice if needed) to ensure the safety of our residents and staff.

We thank you for your patience and understanding.

As always if you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact us on info@rembrandtliving.org.au or 8198 0300.

Unfortunately, we must advise that more residents at Rembrandt Court have tested positive for COVID-19, taking the total number within the existing outbreak to 14 residents (all being in Magnolia house with 1 in Tulip House). Unfortunately we have a number of Staff also that are positive. Please note the entire Magnolia House is now a Red Zone.

Luckily, all residents and staff are suffering only mild illness. Our thoughts are with them.

Importantly this does not impact on visiting – all residents (including those that are positive) can still have visitors.

Residents that are COVID positive

1. Can still have visitors (in resident rooms)
2. Must remain in their rooms or with the COVID positive cohort of residents
3. Can leave site (however must wear PPE on exiting and entering) however this is discouraged
4. Will be administered anti-viral medication as per GP
5. Will have additional clinical monitoring

Residents that are COVID negative:

1. Can have visitors (in resident rooms)
2. Are encouraged to stay in their rooms wherever possible
3. Must remain in their house
4. Can leave site
5. Will have routine testing

All activities will now be within houses including Christmas lunch (no cross-house activities including the gym). Please note a traditional Christmas lunch will still continue.

We have implemented the following additional precautions:

1. All staff and visitors to wear a mask and shield whenever on site
2. Full PPE for staff working anywhere in the red zone
3. Full PPE for staff in COVID positive resident rooms (outside of Red Zone)
4. Extra staff have been rostered
5. Staff zone cohorting completed
6. Changes to food services
7. Additional cleaning

Due to the very contagious nature of this strain, we unfortunately expect these numbers to increase further over the coming days. Importantly at this stage, despite the number of staff with COVID our rosters remain full over the Christmas period – we are extremely hopeful this remains the case.

We know this is a lot to digest! Please let us know if you have any questions – on info@rembrandtliving.org.au or 8198 0300.

Unfortunately, I must advise that we have 5 more Covid positive residents at Rembrandt Court, taking the total number within the existing outbreak to 7 residents, all in Magnolia House. Luckily, all residents are suffering only mild illness. Our thoughts are with them.

Importantly this does not impact on visiting. All residents can still have visitors, however, for those residents living in Magnolia house, these visits will take place in the residents rooms only. All Residents are able to leave Rembrandt Court (wear PPE on way out) to go out including to people’s homes, if wanted. Magnolia residents are however to remain in Magnolia House (ie not go into other house).

Effective from now, we are asking all staff and visitors to wear a mask and shield whenever on site.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us on info@rembrandtliving.org.au or 8198 0300.

Unfortunately we must advise that we have a small (so far) COVID-19 outbreak at Rembrandt Court. Both residents are doing okay with only mild symptoms.

There are 2 cases (second one tested positive today) and as they are in different areas of Magnolia House we need to act.

Effective immediately our staff must wear shields while working in Magnolia with visitors strongly encouraged to do the same.

Magnolia residents will not be permitted to attend activities within RC outside of Magnolia House.

Please note only Magnolia House is effected. Visitors still permitted everywhere (including Magnolia) but asked to be extra careful. Please remember sanitise, sanitise, sanitise!!!

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us on info@rembrandtliving.org.au or 8198 0300. Thanks for your help.

Over the coming weeks as suggested by SA Health, due to the raising COVID community numbers, Rembrandt Living has revised our position on our COVID safe practices. We will continue to monitor South Australia’s COVID numbers and our local community and will adjust our PPE levels accordingly if needed.

Rembrandt Living will move from N95 masks back to surgical masks only for all visitors (staff will still be wearing N95) in line with current industry recommendations.

We will continue to require all staff and visitors to RAT test every 48 hours as a way of minimising the risk of transmission should a staff or visitor be asymptomatic. RAT‘s will continue to be available via reception staff and surgical masks will be in key locations around the facility.

We hope to not have to reverse this decision however we reserve this right, as it is our priority to ensure the heath and safety of all our residents, staff and visitors.

We thank everyone for their ongoing support for our COVID strategies, everyone’s high infection control standards and flexibility when our processes change at short notice.

As always if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us on info@rembrandtliving.org.au or 8198 0300.

We are excited to announce that effective from 12.01am, Monday 17th October Rembrandt Living will move from N95 masks and shields to surgical masks only for all staff and visitors, in line with current industry recommendations.

We will however continue to require all staff and visitors to RAT test every 48 hours as a way of minimising the risk of transmission should a staff or visitor be asymptomatic. RAT ‘s will continue to be available via reception staff and surgical masks will be in key locations around the facility.

Over the coming weeks as suggested during yesterday’s SA Health press conference, Rembrandt Living will revise our position on our COVID safe practices and send out communication advising what our new normal will look like.

We will continue to monitor South Australia’s COVID numbers and our local community and will adjust PPE levels accordingly if needed.

We hope to not have to reverse this decision however we reserve this right, as it is our priority to ensure the heath and safety of all our residents, staff and visitors.

We thank everyone for their ongoing support for our covid strategies, everyone’s high infection control standards and flexibility when our processes change at short notice.

As always if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us on info@rembrandtliving.org.au or 8198 0300.

We are pleased to announce that from 12.01am Friday 23rd September 2023, changes came in to effect to the Emergency Management (Residential Aged Care Facilities No 49) (COVID-19) Direction 2022 to reflect the importance of visitors to supporting the wellbeing of residents and that the RACF is their home.

As from this date (Friday 23rd September 2022) ALL visitors entering a RACF will no longer be required to be vaccinated against Influenza or COVID-19, however it is still important to note the importance of vaccinations as the best protection against COVID-19.

This is a friendly reminder that ALL visitors, volunteers, contractors and staff members must still complete a rapid antigen test (RAT) every 48 hours (Rembrandt Court is happy to supply these). Please see reception for a test kit that you can complete at home and bring in a photo of your negative test with the correct time and date.

Please also note from today, you no longer need to check in on the mySAGOV app at any Aged care facility.

We continue to monitor the situation closely and we will adjust our strategy (with little or no notice if needed) to ensure the safety of our residents and staff. We thank you in anticipation for your understanding. As always if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us on info@rembrandtliving.org.au or 8198 0300.

We are very pleased to declare our “July COVID outbreak” over as of 8th August 2022. This means it is business as usual from 8.00am Tuesday 9th August 2022.

So what does this mean?

• All house activities and events will resume
• Visitors are once again allowed in all houses
• There is NO limit on visitor numbers
• There is NO time limit on duration per visit
• Please be sure to show Rembrandt staff evidence of your COVID vaccinations (this includes all three jabs)
• Please be sure to show Rembrandt staff evidence of your 2022 flu immunisation
• All visitors must provide a negative rapid antigen test every 48 hours before entering the facility
• All visitors must wear a mask and face shield when within the facility

We sincerely thank all our staff for their hard work and you for your continued understanding during these challenging times.

We would like to take this time to spare a thought for the many nursing homes across Australia that have not been as fortunate as Rembrandt Court; our thoughts with their residents and their hardworking staff.

As always if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Deb or Timara directly.

Unfortunately we have another Magnolia House resident that has tested positive to COVID-19 making it 3 residents in total in that house. We have also got at least one other resident with symptoms. All of these residents live in different corridors within Magnolia. The newly positive resident has little or no symptoms and is doing well.

To minimise the impact on residents and staff we have made the decision to make the entire Magnolia House a Red Zone effective immediately (4pm, 27 July 2022) with the following conditions:

Residents who can/will remain in their rooms will be asked to do so (wandering residents will be managed as best as possible);

Residents who are not COVID positive or symptomatic:

• ARE allowed visitors (however strictly in rooms and one per day please);
• ARE allowed to leave site (for short or long periods of time) however will need to wear PPE whilst they exit;
• WILL have access to the common area (on a rotation basis and/or as required);
• Whilst in common areas will be encouraged to wear masks;

Staff will exclusively work in Magnolia House to avoid cross-house contamination; and

Lifestyle will be allocated to Magnolia House.

Please note our strategy (whilst not always perfect) is a juggling act balancing our desire to keep the spread to a minimum, our legal requirements and our resident and staff wellbeing! I thank you for your ongoing understanding.

As usual if you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact us.

We thank you so much for your understanding and patience over the week as we have been dealing with this latest outbreak. At this time we have a total of 6 residents (in Rose and Magnolia houses) and 4 staff who have tested positive to COVID-19. It is pleasing to be able to report that all are relatively well.

Assuming there are no new positive cases (please note PCRs are being done today) and residents are not symptomatic:

Rose House – the entire house is currently a Red Zone

• Residents in Corridors 2 and 3 (the 2 corridors closest to the southern side/back of the building) will finish quarantine from 8am Tuesday 26th July with residents being then allowed out within the zone in their house;
• Residents in Corridor 1 (closest to Madras Street) will finish quarantine from 8am Wednesday 27th July – meaning all of Rose house will be allowed out of their rooms but when onsite (see note below) remain in Rose House.
• Please note residents (other than those that are positive to COVID-19) can leave the premises at any time (they must just wear full PPE whilst walking to the front doors).
• After day 13 test results are received (assuming all negative), from Monday 1st August, Rose House residents can revert to business as usual.

Magnolia House – 2 residents/rooms (only) are currently a Red Zone

• The 2 residents in the Red Zone will finish quarantine from Monday 8am 1st August – and allowed out within their house.
• After day 13 test results are received (assuming all negative), from Monday 8th August, these residents can revert to business as usual.

Tulip House, Daffodil House and remainder of Magnolia House

• It is business as usual still with visitors allowed

We continue to monitor the situation closely and we will adjust our strategy (with little or no notice if needed) to ensure the safety of our residents and staff. As always if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us on info@rembrandtliving.org.au or 8198 0300.

Further to the letter dated Monday 18 July, which provided detail of the current COVID Outbreak at Rembrandt Court, we are now in a position to advise that, following ongoing PCR testing in Rose House, there are now a total of four residents who have returned positive results. Families have been informed; however, it is pleasing to be able to report that all of these residents are well.

The COVID outbreak remains contained to Rose House, however as a result of the recent result, it is now the entirety of Rose House that is Code Red. Please note that as a result of the Code Red, visits are not allowed to take place with those residents who are COVID positive. However, we will continue to take into consideration exemptions for those uninfected residents in Rose House who are severely compromised by their inability to have family contact, as per our existing ‘Partners in Care’ program.

All other houses in Rembrandt Court continue with business as usual. In line with SA Health and National Guidelines, and as Rembrandt Court has a high level of vaccinated residents, we will continue to allow visitors but only under the following conditions:

• 1 visitor per resident per day for a maximum of two hours
• Visits to only occur in the residents’ room
• Visitors must comply with full PPE
• Visitors must provide evidence of a negative RAT within 48 hours of visit

We continue to monitor the situation closely and we will adjust our strategy (with little or no notice if needed) to ensure the safety of our residents and staff. We thank you in anticipation for your understanding.

As always if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us on info@rembrandtliving.org.au or 8198 0300.

You will be aware from a text message forwarded yesterday afternoon that we have had one resident test positive to COVID-19 via RAT. We thank you so much for your patience over the past 24 hours as we have been dealing with this.

We are now in a position to advise that, following precautionary PCR testing in Rose House, there are another two residents who have returned positive results. Families have been informed; however, it is pleasing to be able to report that all of the three residents are well.

At this point, we can advise that we have managed to contain the infection in Rose House, albeit in two corridors (ex House 1 and House 5). This means that two corridors in Rose House are deemed Code Red, with the remainder of Rose House Code Orange. Please note that the two Code Red corridors of Rose House are not allowed visitors. All other houses in Rembrandt Court continue with business as usual, although we are taking the precaution of conducting PCR tests on all residents. These results should be available tomorrow. In the meantime, staff continue to be RAT tested prior to their shifts every 48 hours.

In line with SA Health and National Guidelines, and as Rembrandt Court has a high level of vaccinated residents, we will continue to allow visitors but only under the following conditions:

• 1 visitor per resident per day for a maximum of two hours
• Visits to only occur in the residents’ room
• Visitors must comply with full PPE
• Visitors must provide evidence of a negative RAT within 48 hours of visit

We continue to take into consideration exemptions for those unaffected residents who are severely compromised by their inability to have family contact, as per our existing ‘Partners in Care’ program.

We continue to monitor the situation closely and we will adjust our strategy (with little or no notice if needed) to ensure the safety of our residents and staff. We thank you in anticipation for your understanding.

As always if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us on info@rembrandtliving.org.au or 8198 0300.

Good news … our day 6 tests have all come back negative meaning we are very pleased to declare our “June COVID outbreak” over as of midnight yesterday. This means business as usual from 8am today including for those that have been on lockdown! Visitors allowed again, no limit on numbers or duration. Vaccinations, RAT, mask and shield still required.

Keeping this to 1 resident and 1 staff member positive is an outstanding achievement – this means our staff know their stuff when it comes to infection control. We sincerely thank them for their hard work and you for your understanding!

Good news… All of the latest Covid tests have come back negative! Doesn’t mean we are out of the woods however a very good start!

We have divided the magnolia house into two zones… The Madras st/northern end and the southern end. The resident with Covid lives in the southern zone. Please note this resident is doing well.

From tomorrow morning visitors will be permitted for residents in the northern zone however visits will be required to be in rooms. The residents in this zone will also be free to wander around their zone.

Unfortunately the southern zone must remain in lockdown, with no visitors allowed at this stage. Residents in this area are remaining in their rooms wherever possible. We hope this will change in the near future.

A massive thank you to all staff concern… It is your skills and expertise in infection control that continue to keep our outbreaks no minimal.

Please note we are ensuring staff are assisting and entertaining the residents in lockdown as much as possible.

The remainder of Rembrandt Court can continue to operate like “business as usual”..

Again we apologise for any inconvenience this causes.

We continue to monitor the situation closely and we will adjust our strategy (with little or no notice if needed) to ensure the safety of our residents and staff. We thank you in anticipation for your understanding.

As always if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us on info@rembrandtliving.org.au or 8198 0300.

Thanks again for your continued support and understanding.

Unfortunately we must advise that we have a resident that has tested positive to COVID-19 this morning. This resident is coping well and lives in Magnolia House. All residents in Magnolia house had precautionary PCR tests yesterday after a staff member tested positive after working in there.

We have immediately placed Magnolia House into lockdown with residents in their rooms. This will remain at least until we get the results from the second round of PCRs to be done tomorow (Saturday). This mean no visitors in Magnolia (unless in extenuating circumstances).

The remainder of Rembrandt Court can operate like “business as usual” however we have cancelled today’s Social Harmony.

Again we apologise for any inconvenience this causes.

We continue to monitor the situation closely and we will adjust our strategy (with little or no notice if needed) to ensure the safety of our residents and staff. We thank you in anticipation for your understanding.

As always if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us on info@rembrandtliving.org.au or 8198 0300.

Good news for visiting Rembrandt Court – following your feedback and after careful consideration and risk assessment we can announce that the 1 per day and 2 hour maximum visitor restriction will be dropped from 8am tomorrow 23rd June 2022.

What restrictions are still in place?

1. All residents can come and go as they please however we ask that residents to avoid crowded gatherings when out;
2. Visitors must still have had their COVID and 2022 Flu vax:
3. Staff and visitors will still be required to produce a negative RAT test on entry every 48 hours;
4. Masks and face shields will remain in place for all visitors and staff while on site.

Please note we are hoping the Cafe will reopen soon!

As always please don’t hesitate to contact us if you need any extra clarification or have any questions. Thank you for your understanding and support.

Assuming there are NO NEW COVID infections (we are still awaiting some results from Clinpath Pathology) Rembrandt Court is planning to declare our May 2022 COVID-19 Outbreak officially over as of Friday, 20th May at 11.59pm.

This new “Orange Alert” phase will see us revert back to something very similar to the “business as usual” that we have experienced earlier this year in March and April.

SO WHAT RESTRICTIONS ARE STILL IN PLACE FOR VISITORS AND RESIDENTS FROM SATURDAY MORNING?

• All residents (including those currently in the Red Zone) can come and go as they please however we ask that residents avoid crowded gatherings when out in the community;
• Visitor restrictions will remain (1 per day per resident for 2 hours);
• A-symptomatic residents will be tested randomly, regularly and when symptomatic using a RAT;
• Only staff that have worked in the Red Zone in the past 7 days will require a negative RAT test on entry every 24 hours;
• Staff and visitors will be required to produce a negative RAT test on entry every 48 hours;
• The LLL Lifestyle program will be back up and running;
• N95 masks and face shields will remain in place for all visitors and staff while on site.

Our CEO will be in contact as soon as we have the final results from Clinpath Pathology – our Fingers & toes are crossed!!

Thank you to the many staff that have worked extra hours and gone above and beyond under these very trying circumstances. Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you need any extra clarification or have any questions and as always thank you for your understanding and support.

Thank you again for your support over the past week!

Unfortunately we must advise that one more resident has tested positive to COVID-19 as part of our Day 6 testing. Fortunately this resident lives in Magnolia House in the Red Zone.

This means:

1. The Red Zone (12 residents in the northern hallway in Magnolia House) will remain in place until Midnight Friday 20th May (assuming no more positive cases).
2. The Orange Zone (the rest of Magnolia House) will also remain in place until midnight Friday too (visiting restrictions and residents to remain with the house).
3. The Close Contacts (5 individuals which all live in Rose House) are now able to leave their rooms but they are required to stay within their house.

We are working with each individual resident and their family to ensure they are coping okay.

Thank you to the staff for their ongoing hard work and dedication, again, thanks to their infection control skills we look like keeping this outbreak very small (fingers crossed).

We continue to monitor the situation closely and we will adjust our strategy (with little or no notice if needed) to ensure the safety of our residents and staff. We thank you in anticipation for your understanding.

As always if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us on info@rembrandtliving.org.au or 8198 0300.

Firstly thank you so much for your support over the past day!

We are delighted to announce that the PCR results have been received and they are ALL NEGATIVE! This is extremely good news.

This means:

1. The Red Zone (12 residents in the northern hallway in Magnolia House) will remain in place until Midnight Monday 16th May (assuming no more positive cases). The Close Contacts (5 individuals which all live in Rose House) will be considered also part of this Red Zone. This does mean unfortunately these residents have to remain confined to their rooms (despite being negative). We are working with each individual resident and their family to ensure they are coping okay.
2. The remainder of Magnolia House will be downgraded to an Orange Zone (the guidelines require these residents to remain within their house – they can come out of their rooms and move around within their house) however must not leave this area. This is the case until Midnight Monday 16th May. These residents can have visitors however 1 person per day per resident for a maximum duration of 2 hours in residents rooms. Exceptions apply (for end of life and where clinical indications are impacted) on application.
3. The remainder of residents can return to life as normal from 9am tomorrow 13th May 2022 however they cannot visit the orange or red zones. Our “regular” lifestyle program including group activities will resume on Tuesday 17th May 2022.

We continue to monitor the situation closely and we will adjust our strategy (with little or no notice if needed) to ensure the safety of our residents and staff. We thank you in anticipation for your understanding.

As always if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us on info@rembrandtliving.org.au or 8198 0300.

Unfortunately we must inform you that a resident of Rembrandt Court has tested positive to COVID-19. This resident lives in Magnolia House, became symptomatic on Monday, was tested and has been isolating ever since. At this stage we are pleased to report that the resident is doing well.

Due to our ‘success’ managing the outbreak in January and due to the fact this resident does visit other houses, we will follow the same approach as we did then – go hard and go early! We thus advise that effective immediately the entire site is being placed in full lockdown/Red Alert as we PCR everyone and wait for the results. We hope this will only be for 24 hours. We will then know the extent of the outbreak and will be able to advise further.

Code Red means:

1. Rembrandt Court is not accessible to visitors (only Medically-essential or End of Life visits permitted);
2. Residents to remain in their rooms;
3. All group activities suspended;
4. Extra staff will be on hand to help communicate with and support our residents; and
5. Staff to use increased protections and full pandemic procedures in place.

This time will allow us to gain a clearer picture on the status of all of our residents and staff, and we will then update you all by a variety of methods (email and text) of the next steps.

We continue to monitor the situation closely and we will adjust our strategy (with little or no notice if needed) to ensure the safety of our residents and staff.

We thank you in anticipation for your understanding.

As usual if you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact us.

Please note our Easter Weekend Day visiting hours will be 10.30am to 3.30pm all four days. If you wish to visit outside of these staffed times please do be patient with our nursing staff. Due to the expected volume of residents coming and going over the festive weekend and the rapid antigen test requirements there may be a short delay at times with temperature checks and entry verification.

Please also note:

• There will be an Easter Mass on Tuesday 12th April in Rose house, commencing at 10.30am.
• Easter activities with Lifestyle will take place on Wednesday 13th April and Thursday 14th April.
• If you would like to take your loved one to a Easter Mass or Holy Week Service please let the reception staff know so that an Access Cab can be arranged and a wheelchair can be booked (if needed).

As you would have heard the COVID cases in South Australia continue to rise and thus we need to increase our precautions at Rembrandt Court. Please note this is not because we are scared of our residents getting COVID (the actual illness is almost always mild with the current strain) but we want desperately to avoid the lockdown and associated effects on everyone that we would have to enforce (in accordance with state and federal guidelines) if we were to have a resident diagnosed with COVID.

We still are welcoming our families and visitors here however effective immediately all visitors must wear an N95 mask and face shield whilst on site and do a RAT every 48 hours (we will supply these). For regular visitors we will give you a supply for you to do at home and bring in a photo of your negative test.

We understand this is not ideal however thank you in advance for your cooperation. This will hopefully enable us to continue with our activities, gym classes and other things that keep us all sane!

Assuming there are NO NEW COVID infections over the weekend from 7.00am this Monday 7th February 2022, we are planning to declare our COVID-19 Outbreak over! We have authority from the Commonwealth Government to declare the outbreak closed and enter a short phase of enhanced surveillance. This phase will see us revert to something very similar to the “business as usual” that we had in the first few weeks of January.

So what restrictions are still in place for visitors and residents from Monday?

• All residents (including those currently in the Red Zone) can come and go as they please however we ask that residents remain in their own houses when inside Rembrandt Court and avoid crowded gatherings when out;
• Visitor restrictions will remain (1 per day per resident for 2 hours);
• A-symptomatic residents will be tested randomly regularly and when symptomatic using a RAT;
• Staff will resume entering via the main back entrance, resume finger scanning and all special outbreak staff shifts will cease;
• only staff that have worked in the Red Zone in the past 7 days will require a negative RAT test on entry every 48 hours;
• Volunteers will be allowed back onsite however cross-house activities (such as Bingo) will not be occurring for at least another week;
• Staff using level 3 PPE and residents quarantining will only be required for residents waiting for a PCR result or symptomatic (however surgical masks and face shields will remain); and
• Hotel services (including food and laundry) will return to normal.

So keep your fingers (and toes) crossed we can resume some sort of “normal life” from Monday onwards.

Thank you to the many staff that have worked MANY extra hours under very trying circumstances. Their infection control skills and their constant diligence to procedures have been central to minimising this outbreak! Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you need any extra clarification or have any questions and as always thank you for your understanding and support.

Deb Dutton, CEO & Timara Poulish, General Manager

Please click here to read the latest update.

Please click here to read the latest update.

Please click here to read the latest update.

Please click here to read the latest update.

We have enacted the next Code in our outbreak plan – Code Red. Code Red means that for at least the next 48 hours Rembrandt Court is not accessible to any visitors. This time will allow us to gain a clearer picture on the status of all our residents and staff, and we will then contact you (by both email and text) and provide you with a further update.

If you have any urgent queries, please email, or direct them to Reception – 8198 0300 – but please understand that we are operating on minimal office staff, so please only call if absolutely necessary.

Thank you for your continued understanding and patience as we strive to maintain the safety of all residents. We will continue communicating to update you as necessary.

UPDATED EMERGENCY DIRECTIONS

On Friday 7 January, 2022 the State Coordinator, Grant Stevens, announced further changes to requirements for vaccinations, both for staff and visitors to Residential Aged Care Facilities. The requirement for mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations for people employed or engaged by Rembrandt Living will now include a booster of a TGA approved COVID-19 vaccine. All workers must have had, or have evidence of a booking to have, a booster within four weeks of becoming eligible.

All visitors to residential aged care facilities are also required to receive a COVID-19 booster dose within four weeks of becoming eligible. This requirement comes into effect on 29 January 2022. Remember to ensure that your contact details are up to date as when things change we send out communications via email and text.

COVID-19 UPDATE – REMBRANDT COURT

Rembrandt Court is continuing with its Code Orange, which was implemented on 28 December 2021. Although we are aware of the difficulties this can cause, for both residents and their visitors, we are proud that we have managed to keep our residents safe at this time, and still manage to allow a visit each day to occur.

The lifestyle team continue to provide additional walks and smaller group activities to assist.

Due to the COVID-19 Omricon variant outbreak across SA we are taking extra precautions to try and keep the Rembrandt family safe!

We therefore announce that Rembrandt Living will revert to Orange Alert status from 5pm today, Tuesday, 28th December 2021.

What does this mean?

For everyone generally:

1. Vaccine booster shots are encouraged to be had ASAP.
2. Everyone is asked to be extra vigilant watching for symptoms (and stay away if you have any).
3. Please keep up hand hygiene, checking in and watching SA Health and our Alerts.
4. Be understanding and use common sense – we just want to keep everyone safe.

Rembrandt Court Residents:

1. Visitor restrictions will now apply – 1 person per day per resident for a maximum duration of 2 hours in residents rooms. Exceptions apply (for end of life and where clinical indications are impacted) on application.
2. Residents going out – please keep to an absolute bare minimum (only medical appointments and important events, please no shopping centres and indoor crowded facilities).
3. Internal group activities will be suspended temporarily.

Home care clients:

1. Some minor service changes (office will advise).
2. Emergency plans for clients will be prioritised.

Volunteers

1. Are asked to stay away wherever possible.

The Gastro lock down at Rembrandt Court has now been lifted.

Unfortunately, we must advise that we have 1 confirmed and up to 6 suspected cases of Norovirus/Gastroenteritis (‘Gastro’) at Rembrandt Court. We have made the difficult decision to lock down our home in the hope of catching it early! Neighbouring aged care homes have had significant outbreaks in recent days, and we want to avoid this if possible.

Click here to read more.

Under the latest Residential Aged Care Emergency Management Direction, from 6 December 2021, a person is not permitted to enter the premises of a RACF (Residential Aged Care Facility) unless they have been vaccinated against COVID-19.

In other words, the COVID Vaccine will be compulsory for any person entering Rembrandt Court from this date.

Exemptions to this requirement are limited to the below circumstances:

• the person is aged 12 years and 2 months or less.
• the person has a medical certificate or letter from a legally qualified medical practitioner certifying that the person:
  • has a medical exemption from receiving a TGA approved COVID-19 vaccine on either a permanent or temporary basis in accordance with the guidelines published from time to time by ATAGI; or
  • has a medical exemption on either a permanent or temporary basis from receiving the preferred vaccine as recommended by ATAGI for the person’s age; or
  • has an appointment to be assessed by a medical specialist or has commenced an assessment with a medical specialist to determine whether they have a medical exemption from receiving a COVID-19 vaccine on either a permanent or temporary basis in accordance with the guidelines published from time to time by ATAGI; or
  • is currently taking part in a COVID-19 vaccine trial and receipt of a TGA approved vaccine would impact the validity of the trial.

The certificate or letter must specify the nature of the exemption and the basis on which it applies and the exemption must be endorsed by the Chief Public Health Officer or her delegate (which must be provided to the operator of the RACF).

As always we thank you for your ongoing support and if you have any questions, please contact our staff.

Further to Premier Marshall’s announcement today we are pleased to announce that we will move our Alert status to Yellow Status from 9am tomorrow, 28th July 2021.

From 9.00am tomorrow (Wednesday 28th July 2021):

Home Care Services

• Management and admin staff will be back onsite;
• No Social Harmony or group activities (hopefully resume next week);
• No Allied Health Groups (hopefully resume next week); and
• Staff will still be wearing full personal protective equipment (PPE)

Residential Services

• Management and admin staff will be back onsite;
• Residents of Rembrandt Court will be able to again have visitors (please note some visitors will still be prohibited from entering in accordance with SAPOL Directives e.g. those from NSW). Social distancing and maximum number of persons (1 person per 4 square meters rule) must be adhered to together with hand hygiene and cough etiquette;
• Masks are still required to be worn at all times by staff and visitors;
• Volunteers allowed back onsite and
• Café will be open to residents, staff and visitors (in line with 1 person per 4m2).

We continue to monitor the situation closely and we will adjust our policies and processes (with little or no notice if needed) to ensure the safety of our residents and staff. We thank you in anticipation for your understanding.

Following Premier Marshall’s announcement this morning we are raising our Pandemic Lockdown Stage to ‘Red’ from 5pm today, 20th July 2021. The Red Alert Stage includes:

• Rembrandt Court on full lockdown – residents are not able to leave and all visits are temporarily suspended (except for medically essential reasons and end-of-life visits). Please note: at this stage residents will not be confined to their rooms unless the Government regulations require such;
• Some further restrictions on our home care services – please note each client will be contacted if affected;
• Staffing at the service level across both home care and residential services will remain the same with some extra hours being allocated for Home Care Client Welfare Phone Calls and Virtual Visiting at Rembrandt Court. Both Receptions will remain staffed for the phones and Managers will be rotating days onsite and days working from home (however all remain contactable). Other non-essential staff (e.g. Administration, Maintenance) are working from home under an “on call agreement.”

This Alert Level will remain for at least the period specified by The Premier. We continue to monitor the situation closely and we will adjust our strategy (with little or no notice if needed) to ensure the safety of our residents and staff. We thank you in anticipation for your understanding.

Following Premier Marshall’s announcement this afternoon and in response to the current situation in South Australia we have made the necessary decision to increase our Alert Stage across our organisation to Orange, effective immediately.

The Orange Alert Stage includes:

• All visits to our residential care home are temporarily suspended (except for planned end-of-life visits);
• Some restrictions on home care services including the cancellation of all allied health and social groups; and
• An increase in the use of PPE across our services.

This Alert Level will remain until further notice. We continue to monitor the situation closely and we will adjust our policies and processes (with little or no notice if needed) to ensure the safety of our residents and staff. We thank you in anticipation for your understanding.

Following the significant COVID-19 developments across the country in recent days, we wish to provide our residents, staff and families with an update. This update includes some changes in the State and Federal Government requirements.

• All staff, volunteers and visitors are now required to wear disposable/single use masks whilst on site.
• The Café will be closed to all visitors and will only provide disposable cutlery and plates to staff.
• Visiting hours to remain the same – from 9am – 5pm every day of the week.
• Social Harmony Chit Chat at Rembrandt Court to be cancelled this Friday.
• Staff at this point are encouraged to only work for Rembrandt Living however are pre-warned this may be a requirement in the near future (a compulsory survey will be sent to staff over the next 24 hours requiring staff to declare any additional work they are currently doing).
• COVID-19 vaccinations will be mandatory for residential aged care workers (with the first jab by mid-September 2021).

To keep in line with the latest SAPOL Directives No.36 and the Cross Border Travel Direction No.21 Rembrandt Court’s visiting guidelines were updated to include News South Wales and Greater Melbourne. Unfortunately visitors that have traveled from New South Wales and Victoria are not permitted to enter our home. For a full list of affected locations, please visit the SA Health website. We will continue to monitor the situation closely and we will adjust our policies and processes to ensure the safety of our residents and staff.

The team at Rembrandt Court is continuing to watch the ever evolving COVID-19 situation both here in South Australia and interstate. Please know that we are watching the progression of the current situation in Victoria and New South Wales very closely and will do whatever we need to keep our residents and staff safe. At this stage there has been no new community transmitted cases within South Australia, however there have been many cases detected in Victoria and New South Wales.

Please also be advised that effective from Saturday 28 May 2021, any persons who has arrived in South Australia from Victoria from 26 May 2021, may not enter Rembrandt Court for fourteen days.

We remind you that as directed by the Commonwealth Government ALL visitors are required to have had the 2021 flu vaccination by June 1st 2021.

This applies to all staff, volunteers, contractors and all visitors including families and friends. Once you have received the 2021 flu vaccination please forward your evidence to info@rembrandtliving.org.au. Please include the full name of the resident you will be visiting. Please note no person will be permitted onsite after 1st June 2021 without this evidence. We thank you for your ongoing support and understanding.

We remind you that as directed by the Commonwealth Government ALL visitors are required to have had the 2021 flu vaccination by June 1st 2021.

This applies to all staff, volunteers, contractors and all visitors including families and friends. Once you have received the 2021 flu vaccination please forward your evidence to info@rembrandtliving.org.au. Please include the full name of the resident you will be visiting. Please note no person will be permitted onsite after 1st June 2021 without this evidence. We thank you for your ongoing support and understanding.

Although the removal of masks is something to celebrate it does not come without some other limitations. Therefore, I must advise that under the current requirements of the South Australian Emergency Management (Residential Aged Care Facilities No 20) (COVID-19) Direction 2020 you are prohibited from entering our facility if you have travelled from a high community transmission zone as outlined in the link below.

Click here to read more.

We remain committed and focused on ensuring everything ‘Rembrandt’ remains COVID-19 free and thus ask again for your support and cooperation! In line with lessening of restrictions, as announced by Premier Marshall to come into effect from next Monday, 14th December 2020, we too will be making some changes.

Click here to read more.

Earlier today SA Health notified us of a new directive to come into effect from 0001 on Tuesday 1 December 2020 (midnight tonight), the Emergency Management (Residential Aged Care Facilities No 15) (COVID-19) Direction 2020.

In addition to previous requirements this directive includes- Everyone onsite at Rembrandt Court (excluding residents and children under 12 years) must wear a surgical mask (covering mouth and nose) at all times when in the physical presence of other people.

In order to adhere to this requirement, we ask all visitors, contractors, family and friends to wear a mask at all times when on site.

Click here to read more.

Earlier today SA Health have added some significant sites to their Contact Tracing COVID- 19 Health Alert list. We ask that you please check this list BEFORE presenting for your next visit (for family, friends, contractors, volunteers) or your next shift (for staff members). If you were at any of these sites, don’t panic, just follow their instructions and let us know.

Click here to read more.

Following the lifting of the “Stay at Home” Directive here in SA at midnight last night and (pleasingly) no further community transmission of COVID-19 cases today, we advise that Rembrandt Living will cautiously revert to an Orange Alert Status from 8am Monday 23rd November 2020 (tomorrow).

Click here to read more.

We are still anticipating that we will revert to an Orange Alert Status from 8am Monday 23rd November 2020 however this is dependent on developments between now and then (keep watching our communications). This means our restrictions remain the same for now until we advise otherwise. Unfortunately, this does include Rembrandt Court remaining in Lockdown (residents to stay in, no visitors).

Click here to read more.

We are anticipating that we will revert to an Orange Alert Status from 8am Monday 23rd November 2020 however we are awaiting further information from the government (keep watching our communications). This means our restrictions remain the same for now.

Click here to read more.

In response to the new Parafield Cluster here in SA, we have made the necessary decision to increase our Alert Stage across our organisation to Orange, effective immediately.

The Orange Alert Stage includes:

1. All visits to our residential care home are temporarily suspended (except for planned end-of-life visits);
2. Some restrictions on our home care services including the cancellation of all allied health and social groups; and
3. An increase in the use of PPE across our services (including compulsory masks in residential care).

Click here to read more.

We are happy to announce that we are now able to unwind some of the existing pandemic restrictions, as follows:

1. The universal wearing of masks by staff providing care to residents is no longer required (except in certain circumstances);
2. Restrictions on visitations have been relaxed.

Click here to read more.

Our number one priority remains to avoid COVID-19 infiltrating Rembrandt. The events in SA over the past day have prompted us to tighten our visiting protocols. We have resisted altering visiting times, however we are now asking (and enforced from Monday 3 August 2020):

1. Please minimise visits – we ask that you keep visits to once or twice a week wherever possible;
2. All visits must occur only in resident rooms (no common areas, no Café, no Main Hall please);
3. Please minimise resident outings and be extra vigilant in relation to the places you go – avoided crowded areas and ensure that COVID-safe practices are followed at all times.

Click here to read more.

Families and residents on restricted visits to residential aged care facilities
To protect older Australians living in residential aged care facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic, Governments have put restrictions on visits. We continue to move towards a COVIDSafe Australia and ease restrictions around the country. During this time some restrictions will remain in place for aged care facilities to protect older Australians. Other restrictions are being eased. This fact sheet aims to explain the restrictions and the reasons behind them.
To read the full Fact Sheet, click here.

The reduction in restrictions means that:
1. Residents are now allowed to leave the facility and re-enter (please see section below “Residents Leaving Site” for more information);
2. A visitor who has arrived in SA from the Northern Territory, Tasmania or Western Australia is no longer required to quarantine for 14 days;
3. Children under 16 are no longer prohibited from visiting; and
4. Rembrandt can allow more than one care and support visit to a resident on a particular day (on application under certain circumstances).

Click here for more details.

• Easing of visiting restrictions
• Easing of deliveries restrictions
• Clarification on residents leaving site & update on staff escorts

Click here for more details

• Due to the rapid spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) the Board and Management have made the difficult decision to place Rembrandt Living into PANDEMIC ORANGE ALERT status from 6pm Saturday 14th March 2020.The elderly, especially those with pre-existing conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and lung disease (i.e. almost all of our clients and residents) can be severely affected by the virus, even fatally. We have a duty of care to keep our residents, clients and staff safe.

  This was not an easy decision and we ask for your understanding and cooperation.

  What this means (until further notice):

  1. Only “important” (of significance, pressing or urgent) visitors at both Rembrandt Court and the Home Care & Health Centre.
  2. All large group activities cancelled including Uit en Thuis social groups.
  3. All Allied Health group classes cancelled.
  4. Modifications will be made to ‘less critical’ types of home care services.
  5. Volunteers are asked to stay home and
  6. Only “important” (of significance, pressing or urgent) contractors on-site.

  Thanks again for your understanding.