Residents in aged care homes have been carried in blankets to safety as severe floods hit Australia’s East Coast.  

All residents and staff at RSL LifeCare’s Fromelles Manor residential aged care home in Lismore, which has capacity for 63 residents, had to be evacuated on Monday. RSL LifeCare thanked UnitingCare Australia and BaptistCare NSW & ACT, who offered rooms for the residents, and all have been relocated.

Fromelles Manor has been badly damaged by the floodwaters and it “will be months before a return by residents” said the Not For Profit, which set up a dedicated hotline for families and friends of those directly impacted by this event.

BaptistCare NSW & ACT said it has activated emergency management plans with significant challenges with staffing and food supplies at its aged care homes Maranoa Centre in Alstonville and Mid Richmond Centre, Coraki. The Coraki home is operating on power from a generator.

Bolton Clarke Group CEO Stephen Muggleton commended the bravery and dedication of staff who ensured continued care for residents in communities isolated by floodwaters in southeast QLD.

“I’ve witnessed some incredible examples of courage and commitment to our residents and clients over the past few days,” said Stephen.

“It’s been wonderful to see all our services working together, with retirement living, at home support and maintenance teams all pitching in at affected communities to support care delivery on the ground. This selfless and unwavering dedication truly goes to the heart of what we do.”

You can watch a video of residents being rescued in Lismore here.