Author Description

This study explored the delivery of aged care models within the Kimberley region of Western Australia between 26 March and 4 June 2020 during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. This period was chosen because travel into and within the region was restricted to circumvent transmission of the coronavirus, particularly into Aboriginal communities. The research team sought to explore ways which aged care provision was potentially changed and how these changes affected aged care service providers (ACSPs). Three key themes emerged from the data analysis. First was that of rapid change. Aged care service providers described having to rapidly adapt their services to ensure clients still received essential care. Secondly, the importance of community was expressed by ACSPs. Many older people chose to return to Country between March and June, which increased community populations and level of care required for this returning population. Community and cultural considerations also compelled health professionals to maintain services under extraordinary conditions. The final theme was an overarching concern for longitudinal physical and emotional health impacts on patients. The need to incorporate new health practices and meet ever-increasing demands for service provision during the pandemic, often led to inevitable delays in service provision. Coupled with restrictions on patients' clients' social interactions, these delays have or had the potential to impact the health and wellbeing outcomes of patients long-term. [...] --- Executive Summary.