This past week was definitely a struggle for our essential caregivers, visitors and staff supporting the rapid antigen screening. We need to keep reminding each other that this is our first pandemic we have been through and this is yet another curve ball that we have been thrown and need to work out a smoother process for. We felt badly for the wait times this caused some of you and are hopeful that we will have smoothed out some of those hiccups this week and are ready for this coming Monday and Tuesday testing days.
On a super positive front for Essential Caregivers and Staff – OUR VACCINES ARE HERE!!! For the two pre-designated essential caregivers per resident, you will have received an email from me containing the information as well as the link you require to register for your COVID vaccine that will take place at the Strathcona Paper Center in Napanee or you can select the Kingston General Hospital.
These vaccination clinics open up on Thursday, February 25 and onward. There are many appointment times each day that you can select from.
If you have not yet done so, you will need to provide JMPC with your birthdate and health card number to Emily: esarley@lennox-addington.on.ca or 613-354-3306 ext. 7227. This will be input into the vaccine program so that the vaccination clinic can confirm that you are a designated essential caregiver at the John M Parrott Centre. This designation, as you know, gives you a priority vaccine ahead of the general public.
In an effort to help you decipher the weekly testing requirements placed on Essential Caregivers, I would encourage you to choose 2 specific and consistent days to get your testing completed in order to stay current.
For example:
Rapid Antigen at JMPC on Monday then PCR at the Assessment Centre on Thursday. OR
Rapid Antigen at JMPC on Tuesday then PCR at the Assessment Centre on Saturday.
We would like to remind those of you taking residents out of the building to please book this at least 24 hours in advance using https://www.picktime.com/JMPC so that we can ensure things are ready and we aren’t scrambling at the last minute.
We have a new infrared non-contact thermoscan now in the vestibule that will help to improve the flow and infection control related to taking your temperature. Simply walk up to it looking face on and it will record your temperature. The temperature will be shown near the bottom of the screen so that you can let the screener know.
We continue to discourage individuals from outside of the green zone to visit or take a resident out with them. If you do take a resident out for a drive, we strongly encourage everyone in the car wear their mask for the duration of the car ride.
We did receive disappointing news this week that the residents' second vaccination will not be taking place as planned this past week but now targeted for the week of March 1.
As a reminder, for those coming into the Home who don’t have access to email, we do print paper copies of this weekly newsletter which you can grab from the resource centre right behind the screening desk or ask the screener to grab a copy for you.
If this is your first time reading our newsletter, I would encourage you to go to this link where you will find the previous newsletters should you wish to view them. Should you ever not want to receive these newsletters, please follow the prompts on the newsletter at the bottom to unsubscribe. Also, if you ever feel that you would prefer to not have a picture of your loved one included in our Family Newsletter, please reach out to Bobbie-Joe at bblackburn@lennox-addington.on.ca or by calling at ext. 7224.
Hope you have a good week,
Angela Malcolm
Director
COVID-19 Testing for Essential Caregivers
You are required to have 2 COVID tests each week.
You will need your regular COVID swab that you have at a COVID Assessment Centre which you will need to have at some point between Wednesday and Sunday each week.
The second swab is the Rapid Antigen Test which will be done at JMPC. We will only be offering this test on Monday’s and Tuesday’s at the times listed below:
9:00am – 10:45am
1:00pm – 3:30pm
6:00pm – 7:00pm
NOTE: Shift Change will result in delays for non-staff.
Shift change that occurs during testing times are 2:30 and 6:30pm
Exception: If you visit only once per week then you only require the one weekly COVID swab from the COVID Assessment Centre.
The Rapid Antigen Test must be done here at JMPC and will take place in the tea room area where you will also need to wait for the results. Staff will provide you direction at the time. The results of the rapid antigen test are confirmed in 15 minutes. This test is strictly a surveillance screening test for those who present without symptoms. It is viewed as an addition to the screening tool process
Should an individual test positive using this Rapid Antigen test, they would need to have a PCR test completed at the assessment center to confirm the positive diagnosis.
Further, the Ministry requires that you must not have any access to a resident until the rapid antigen testing results are confirmed. We have a waiting area in a portion of the tea room as you await your test results (this procedure will take approximately 20 min).
Perishable Items: Food being brought in for a resident must be in a container that can be wiped down with our wipes and they will then be delivered to your resident right away.
All other items will be kept for 24 hours prior to being taken to the resident.
Here is the week’s program schedule commencing February 28 - March 6, 2021
Types of Absences from the Home
Short Term Absences – Non over-night and off the property. Absence can be for social or other reason. Resident will only be screened upon return.
Temporary Absence – Overnight for one or more nights. Resident must isolate for 14 days upon return.
Both of these types of absences (short term and temporary) need to be pre-approved by the Home.
NOTE: In the event of an outbreak in the home, or where there is evidence of widespread community transmission as per provincial direction, absences are not permitted except for medical or compassionate reasons.
Medical Absence – for medical reasons including outpatient visits or single night emergency room visits. Homes will not deny a request to leave for medical visit.
For every short term absence, you will be required to have the form completed and approved prior to the absence.
As is the case for booking the window, indoor, outdoor and zoom visits, you will need to do this at least 24 hours in advance. All weekend absences will need to be submitted no later than Friday at 2pm.
Manager Point of Contact
for General Inquiries related to COVID restrictions:
In an effort to streamline this process for you, we have attached a form that you can email to a specific manager based on the resident's Home area. Alternatively, if you would prefer, you can phone the appropriate manager and they will assist you.
Mandatory Training Videos
Training videos are mandatory for you to watch prior to entering the building
A component of the Directives that the Ministry released includes a mandatory requirement for Homes to ensure that Essential Caregivers coming into the Home receive training on putting on and taking off PPE as well as training on effective hand washing. Below are the 2 video clips for you to view. You will be asked to confirm at the screening table that you have watched these 2 videos prior to entering.
Here are short video clips to resources that will help you to understand how to use PPE properly and how to effectively hand wash.
This training needs to be completed prior to your first visit and then monthly thereafter.
COVID-19 PCR Testing
You will require an appointment. You can pre-book your weekly appointment online here.
Greater Napanee COVID-19 Assessment Centre
Westdale campus at 12 Richmond Park Drive, Napanee.
Hours are 8:30-3:30 seven days a week.
The link to access your results for this testing is here.
Essential Caregiver Designation
The Ministry of Long Term Care updated visiting policy requires written documentation that supports the essential caregiver designation. As a result, we have created a PDF form that you can open electronically and fill in the blanks. There are a couple of options to return the form to us via email or fax. Alternatively, we will have hard copies of this document available with the screeners at JMPC where you can complete and drop off to them.
Essential Caregivers must submit thisformto be approved as an essential caregiver prior to their visit in order to be permitted into the Home.
Should the resident/POA wish to change an essential caregiver, a new form will need to be submitted in advance.
Zoom Visits
Zoom is a great way to connect with your loved one.
It allows you to see each other while talking together.
Book yourZoom, Indoor, Outdoor and Window Visits online using Picktime!
We ask that visits be scheduled a day ahead, and that weekend requests are completed by Friday at 2pm. For zoom visits, you will receive a confirmation email first. Then, 1 day prior to your zoom visit you will receive the zoom link emailed to you from the Home.
If you have any questions or unable to access this online tool, please call 613-354-3306 and someone will help you Mon-Fri during business hours.
Need to Cancel your Booked Visit?
The booking site doesn’t have that feature to cancel yourself online unfortunately. So to cancel an appointment: Please contact Colleen. Please email her at cyork@lennox-addington.on.ca or call Earline at reception during business hours(main line)
Infection Control from the desk of Emily Sarley
Dr. Moore provided a great explanation regarding the Variants of Concern Impact on our schools and community. Click on the link here for this 2m 45sec video.
Message from the Chair of Family Council
Family Council is composed of family and friends of the residents of the John M. Parrot Centre and dedicated to the promotion and improvement of the health, welfare and happiness of all residents at the John M. Parrot Centre.
Family Council, a time for sharing, caring and supporting.
If you have any questions that you would like shared with the Home,
If you are feeling that you would like some additional support or have some questions that you would like to work through, we would like to encourage you to access this amazing local resource. Lisa would be happy to chat with you!!
Around the Home
Millie (stirring) used to own a restaurant and loved baking pies and other goodies. She said she’s never used a mix before like we used today. She’s almost 101, so I guess that was a good run! We decorated them in the afternoon and delivered them to each of the RHA’s staff!
Price is Right Game
Pink Shirt Day
Sprinkle Kindness around like its confetti!!!
This is Edith.
She has so much love for music. Especially classical. We spend pretty much every visit enjoying music. She used to play violin. We talked about how music sounds and feels different on a record player so I brought in my portable turn table and some music I had a feeling she would love. She was overjoyed and started “conducting” as the record went on. (From RSA Becky)
Making Fascinators with Gail for Fascinator Friday!
Forms That You May Require
Paper Copies of the Weekly Newsletter – Available at the Resource Centre right behind the screeners.