Overview
COVID-19 has impacted many people living, working and caring in aged care, including aged care residents, home care recipients, their families, families of choice, friends, loved ones, representatives and community visitors, and aged care workers.
You may be experiencing grief from the death of a loved one due to COVID-19 or loss because of the lockdowns and visitor restrictions. You may be feeling loss because you have missed routines, loved ones and important events. Or you may be experiencing trauma from isolation or past events.
While some people recover, others may develop mental health problems and need help.
If you need help for any of these situations you will find on this page:
- Grief and trauma support services for the aged care sector impacted by COVID-19. These services are free and available across the country.
- Additional helplines and digital resources available on Head to Health to support those impacted by grief and trauma.
Who are these services for?
- Residents in aged care
- Home care recipients
- Families of senior Australians, their families of choice, friends, loved ones, representatives and community visitors
- Aged care staff, including residential aged care staff and home care staff, including aged care leadership, nursing and personal care workers, and ancillary staff

Types of services available
Support for grief, loss and bereavement, trauma resources, dementia advice and advocacy help for the aged care sector affected by COVID-19.
Support for grief, loss and bereavement
- Telehealth
- Video call
- In person
Online self-care resources are also available:
- Webinars and fact sheets
- Web chat
- SMS support
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The app provides access to tools and resources to help bereaved people and gain practical strategies.
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To contact the grief, loss and bereavement service, call 1800 22 2200, 9am – 5pm AEDT, from Monday to Friday.
ACGB has bi-lingual staff who can work with clients in 12 languages:
English, Arabic, Czech, Farsi, French, Italian, Japanese, Maltese, Sinhali, Tamil, Spanish, Yiddish.
To use Translating and Interpreting Support (TIS),- call 131 450 first,
- nominate your language and
- ask to be connected to ACGB on 1800 22 2200.
For sign language interpreting services,- contact Auslan on 1300 010 877,
- email interpreter.bookings@deafservices.org.au
- fax 07 3892 8511 or
- SMS text 0407 647 591.
Resources for those affected by trauma
There are three resource packages designed for the aged care sector, available on the Phoenix Australia aged care website:
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Trauma-informed care policy resources including a trauma-informed care framework, webinars, workbooks and self-assessment tools. Access the resource package here.
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Trauma-informed practice resources, including videos, webinars and online training. Designed to help aged care staff give trauma-informed care to others and understand self-care for themselves. Access the resource package here.
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Trauma awareness and support resources on understanding trauma. Guidance on when to seek help, self-care strategies and resources for caring for a loved one affected by trauma. Access the resource package here.
Help for dementia associated behaviours
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Specialised clinical support and advice is available on the phone 24-hours, every day. Resources are also available for aged care staff, families, friends, loved ones, families of choice, and representatives and community visitors.
Call 1800 699 799, 365 days, 24 hours.
Advice and advocacy for older people
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OPAN provides free, confidential and independent advice, information and education to older people, their families, friends and representatives. Ask for an advocate - someone who can give practical help and explore options or solutions on issues important to the person.
Call 1800 700 600, 6am – 10pm AEDT, 7 days.
- Lifeline, confidential counselling and referrals
13 11 14 - Beyond Blue Coronavirus Mental Wellbeing Support Service
1800 512 348
Beyond Blue website - National sexual assault, domestic family violence counselling service
1800 737 732 - Kids Helpline
1800 55 1800 (free call)
Kids Helpline website - MensLine Australia
1300 78 99 78
MensLine website - Open Arms-Veterans & Families Counselling
1800 011 046 (local call)
Download communication materials
These downloadable materials outline the grief and trauma support services available for those living, working and caring in the aged care sector, who have been impacted by COVID-19.
Next steps
You might find online and phone-based mental health resources helpful. Some suggestions are below. You can find more with our Search tool (opens in a new tab).