Uniting Communities is monitoring and responding to the current situation regarding COVID-19.
As a response to the current COVID-19 situation, we have enacted a number measures across our organisation to protect our clients, staff and the communities we work with.
With the news released by the State Government on Friday 20 November, we have made some changes to our operations that reflect the easing of restrictions. As more information comes to hand, further updates may be made to our sites and service delivery.
We will continue to monitor and follow the guidance of state and federal authorities in relation to COVID-19, and provide you with any updates as they arise. Please refer to this page for all the latest updates and information.
We thank you for your cooperation and patience during this rapidly changing time.
Advocacy
Call to the Federal Government for COVID-19 energy relief package
Services for Older People
As the impact of COVID-19 continues to evolve, so too does our response to ensure the wellbeing and safety of our customers, our staff and the communities we support. We are continuing to monitor the situation so that we can provide the highest quality services, while keeping everyone safe.
Home and Community Aged Care
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In-home support and domestic assistance – Services will recommence Monday 23 November, excluding gardening and group activities. We ask that customers call us on 1800 615 677 if they wish to discuss their appointment.
Fresh meal delivery – Our fresh meal delivery service continues to operate. Safe contactless deliveries are available twice per week.
Allied Health services – Individual in-clinic and in-home will recommence Monday 23 November. Group activities have been suspended for the time being in the interest of health and safety.
Social activities – Group social activities and outings have been suspended for the time being. Phone welfare checks will continue. Please call 1800 615 677 for more information about this service.
We are still accepting new enquiries, so please call our customer service team on 1800 615 677 for more information and to access our services.
Residential Aged Care
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We have put in place measures to best support the health of our aged care residents at Murray Mudge and Aldersgate.
Visitors will be welcomed back (operating under government guidelines on visitor numbers) from 10am Monday 23 November. Residents may have a maximum of two visitors once a day, and at the same time.
Visiting times for both Murray Mudge and Aldersgate are as follows:
- 9.30am – 11.30am or 1.30pm – 3.30pm (Monday – Friday only) commencing 23 November
- 1pm – 3pm (Saturday & Sunday) commencing 23 November.
As well as continuing to screen visitors and log their details, we are requesting that all visitors to sites wear masks.
Previous safety measures remain in place for visitors, including:
- a person cannot enter the facility if they have had a COVID-19 test and are awaiting results
- residents and their guests must meet in the resident’s room or outside and not in communal areas
- all visitors must sign in on arrival and advise staff if they have recently returned from overseas/interstate or are unwell
- all visitors will be temperature checked by staff on arrival – entry will not be permitted if reading is over 37.4 degrees
- all staff and visitors must have had a recent influenza vaccination and provide evidence
- hand sanitiser is to be used by all visitors when entering and exiting residences.
Personal care staff will continue to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) while in contact with residents.
To support continued contact between loved ones, we have implemented a Skype service for residents. This will enable people to continue to keep in touch via video chat at times when visiting the site is not possible.
Crisis support and counselling
The South Australian COVID-19 Mental Health Support Line is here to help you if you would like support for your mental health and wellbeing. We provide counselling over the phone and via video calls, and can also arrange referrals to a range of services if needed. The service is available from 8am – 8pm daily on 1800 632 753 .
If you need crisis support, Lifeline Adelaide is available 24/7 on 13 11 14, via text on 0477 13 11 14 from 5.30pm – 11.30pm each night, or via online chat from 6.30pm – 11.30pm each night.
If you are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless, please call Homeless Connect SA on 1800 003 308 (free call from any phone) for support with referrals to a specialist service. You can also submit an enquiry online if you do not need immediate support.
Financial services
We offer a range of support for people experiencing the financial effects of COVID-19. Our programs can assist you to manage your current expenses and we can work with you to minimise debt.
Contact us via the phone numbers in our service listing, or call (08) 8202 5818 for more information.
Family and domestic violence
Domestic and family violence support services remain open and available to you during COVID-19 restrictions.
If you are experiencing family and domestic violence, please click here to access information on how to access services that can help you to stay safe. If you want to stop hurting those you love, please click here to find out where access support.
Service changes
Click below for a full list of temporary service changes due to COVID-19.
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SERVICE AREA |
SERVICE NAME |
STATUS |
NOTES |
Older People |
Allied Health Services |
Other |
Individual services available (in-home or in-clinic). No group services at this time. |
Home & Community Aged Care |
Other |
Services to recommence Monday 23 Nov, excluding gardening and group activities. |
Residential Aged Care |
Open |
Visitors permitted from 10am Monday 23 November. Some visitor restrictions still apply. Residents may have a maximum of two visitors once a day, and at the same time. |
Social Support |
Other |
No group activities at this time. |
Disability Services |
Homelink |
Operating remotely |
Phone support available. |
NDIS Support Coordination |
Operating remotely |
Phone support available. |
Disability Support Services |
Other |
Phone support available. Essential personal care services to continue. |
Families and Children and counselling |
Adult and Family Counselling |
Operating remotely |
Assistance provided by phone or other technology. |
Bfriend |
Operating remotely |
Assistance provided by phone or other technology. |
Family by Family |
Operating remotely |
Assistance provided by phone or other technology. |
Family Mental Health Support Service |
Other |
Assistance provided by phone or other technology. Face-to-face services where required. |
Family Relationship Centre |
Open |
In-person appointments at Christies Beach only. |
Foster Care |
Operating remotely |
Assistance provided by phone or other technology |
Youth Services |
headspace |
Open |
|
Jo’s TYRC |
Open |
No change in service, 24/7 operation. |
Reconnect |
Operating remotely |
Assistance provided by phone or other technology/ |
Streetlink Youth Health Service |
Other |
Limited in-person medical appointments to continue. No walk-in client services available. Support available by phone. Clean Needle Program remains open at U City. |
TYS – Family Counselling |
Operating remotely |
Assistance provided by phone or other technology. |
TYS – Ruby’s |
Open |
|
TYS – Sexual Abuse and Sexual Assault Counselling |
Operating remotely |
Assistance provided by phone or other technology. |
Aboriginal Services |
Aboriginal Community Connect |
Open |
|
Kurlana Tampawardli |
Open |
Services still running with some adaptions. |
Mental Health Services |
Lifeline Adelaide |
Other |
Phone room remains open. |
Mental Health Support (NDIS) |
Other |
Essential in-person support to continue where necessary. |
StandBy Support After Suicide |
Operating remotely |
Assistance provided by phone or other technology. |
COVID Mental Health Line |
Open |
No change in service. |
Financial and Legal Services |
ConnectEd |
Operating remotely |
Assistance provided by phone or other technology. |
Consumer Credit Law Centre SA |
Operating remotely |
Assistance provided by phone or other technology. |
Emergency Assistance |
Operating remotely |
|
Energy Services |
Operating remotely |
Assistance provided by phone or other technology. |
Financial Counselling |
Operating remotely |
Assistance provided by phone or other technology. |
Law Centre – Elder Abuse Unit |
Open |
|
Law Centre – general legal advice |
Open |
|
Law Centre – mediation services |
Open |
|
Law Centre – welfare rights |
Open |
|
Microfinance programs (NILS & StepUP) |
Operating remotely |
Assistance provided by phone or other technology. |
Drug and Alcohol & Homelessness |
Clean Needle Program (all sites) |
Other |
U City open. Smithfield and Mount Gambier closed. |
Homeless Connect SA |
Operating remotely |
24/7 operations continue. |
New ROADS – one-to-one counselling |
Operating remotely |
Assistance provided by phone or other technology, |
New ROADS – SMART Recovery groups |
Operating remotely |
Groups run by phone or other technology. |
Community support |
Hope’s Café |
Closed temporarily |
|
New & Emerging Communities Program |
Operating remotely |
|
U City |
Changing Places |
Open |
|
U City Accessible Serviced Apartments |
Open |
Current guests can continue. New guest check-in to recommence from Sunday 22 Nov. |
U City Function Centre |
Open |
In accordance with government guidelines on 1 person per 4sqm density. |
U City Platinum Apartments (sales) |
Operating remotely |
Tours open. |
U City Retirement Residences (sales) |
Operating remotely |
Tours open. |