Last updated: January 2022
Remember, if you have any questions, please talk to your GP. They will have the best information for you.
We are available Monday to Friday 8.30am – 5.00pm and your Support Planner can be reached on their usual phone number and email address.
Are your contact details up to date?
To ensure we can keep in touch during this time, please let your Support Planner know if your contact details or the contact details of your support network change. If you have recently updated your contact details with us , thank you, we don’t need you to provide this information to us again.
COVID-Ready: People with disability
(This information has been shared from Queensland Health – COVID-Ready: People with disability | Health and wellbeing | Queensland Government (www.qld.gov.au))
Get the facts
- Everybody is at risk of getting COVID-19. Most people will only get mild symptoms, like a sore throat and runny nose. But others might be worse.
- Wherever you live, whatever your health conditions and whatever your vaccination status, you’ll be cared for. If you get COVID-19 (you test positive), you will receive COVID Care at Home or COVID Care in Hospital depending on your health conditions and symptoms.
- Here are a few simple steps you can take to help keep yourself and others safe:
- Get vaccinated. It’s not too late to vaccinate. People with a disability, their support persons, and people working in the disability sector are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Book your vaccination or ask your support person today.
- If you’re already vaccinated, you may be able to get a booster shot. Book your booster or ask your support person today.
- Check that you have all essential items you need at home and prepare a COVID-Ready kit
- Prepare a COVID Care Plan
- Read about what will happen if you get COVID-19.
Help for communicating in a hospital or healthcare setting
- Read about Julian’s Key, a patient/carer-controlled tool designed to improve communication and empower people with disability, their families and carers to be more involved in their healthcare.
Resources for getting ready
- Auslan and video resources on COVID-19, how to stay safe and available services for people with disability, support workers and carers
- Where to get help
- Person-centred emergency preparedness planning tool (from the Queenslanders with Disability Network)
- Coronavirus (COVID-19) Essential Items Checklist
- Proof of COVID-19 vaccination certificate (Services Australia)
- 10 ways to keep safe and Get COVID-Ready
Get COVID-Ready kit
- Queensland’s borders are open, so now’s the time to prepare your Get COVID-Ready kit.
- If you test positive to COVID-19 (you have COVID-19) and need to isolate, it may be too late to get the essentials in order. Be prepared and do what you can now.
Your kit should include:
-
- a thermometer
- pain relief
- your regular medications
- a plan for who can look after your children, pets, or people in your care only if you have to go to hospital
- face masks, hand sanitiser and gloves
- a plan for how you’ll get food and essentials for two weeks such as frozen meals, long life milk, and supplies and food for your pets. If possible, arrange a friend or family member who doesn’t live with you to shop for you and leave it at your door
- phone numbers for people you can call if you need help
- stay-at-home activities to keep you entertained
- a COVID Care Plan in case you get COVID-19. You can give it to your health worker or doctor if you need to go to hospital.
- Print out a copy to put on your fridge.
COVID care plan
If you live in supported accommodation for people with a disability, you won’t need to complete a COVID Care Plan. Your support workers already have the right information on hand.
The COVID Care Plan includes important information about you, your health and people in your household. You can share it with:
- your doctor
- other health workers
- hospital staff
- a friend or family member.
Resources
- COVID Care Plan for adults
- COVID Care Plan for parents / carers and children
- My COVID-19 symptom diary
In an emergency always call 000. If you have questions or want to discuss your personal COVID-19 needs, you can contact:
- Your GP
- Speak to your providers about if services will change and how they might change for you
- 134 COVID (134 268)
- the Disability Information Helpline on 1800 643 787
- Queensland Health on 13 HEALTH (13 43 25) – for health-related advice, questions and support.
We hope the frequently asked questions (FAQs) below help to provide you with more information about managing your treatment, care and support services.
FAQs
Where can I find easy to understand information about COVID-19?
What do the social distancing and hygiene requirements mean for me?
My support worker didn't show up today when I expected them. What should I do?
What happens if I, or someone in my household, is required to self-isolate?
Should I order more medication and other consumables in case I need to self-isolate?