It would appear, given our numbers that we will likely be moving into the yellow zone. At time of writing this newsletter this has not been confirmed though. I will share however, moving to the yellow doesn’t impact any procedures at the Home. What it does do, is bring awareness and ongoing need for caution and diligence as to our infection control practices. These new variants of concern spread incredibly fast. If you don’t have to travel or go to stores, please don’t. Limit your interactions with those outside of your bubble.
We are asking for your help in determining the most up to date information on our essential care givers vaccination status. I am asking all designated essential caregivers to please let us know via email preferably (or via phone) as to your vaccination status. (ie. I had my first dose on Feb 25 2021) If you could please contact your point of contact person who is connected to your residents home area. The contact person is outlined in the chart found later in this newsletter. We are really hoping to meet the KFLA Public Health goal of 90 – 90 – 90. This means 90% of the residents, 90% of the essential caregivers and 90% of the staff vaccinated.
You will note later in this newsletter in the “Question of the Day” section, some information around why we are all having to wait for our 2nd dose. This information came to us via KFLA Public Health and we hope it will provide everyone some insight as to the delay to up to 16 weeks.
As I shared on March 15 in the Special Newsletter there are a variety of options available for vaccination. There are link options listed later in the newsletter for you to utilize for those still needing their FIRST Dose.
We received an updated Ministry Directive this week that does provide some relief for our Essential Caregivers moving forward. Effective Monday March 22, essential caregivers coming in to JMPC for their weekly rapid antigen test will no longer be required to wait for 15 minutes for the results of their test. Essential caregivers can now go directly to their persons room following the rapid antigen test being taken.
We certainly recognize the important role that essential caregivers contribute to the life of their loved one. Your restricted ability to provide the various supports you have been accustomed to prior to COVID is understandably upsetting. We would like to encourage essential caregivers who are coming in to visit with their resident over a meal time and wanting to help with the meal to please notify a PSW using the residents call bell 15 min prior to the meal time. The PSW will then share this with the dietary aide so that a tray can be prepared and provided to the residents room. We hope that this will help support a smooth process for you and the your loved one over the mealtime. As a reminder, essential caregivers are not able to remove their masks while in the Home.
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.
Angela Malcolm
Director
First Vaccine
Please click on the link to the location you would prefer should you still need your first vaccine dose:
The provincial online booking system for COVID-19 vaccinations has launched and is able to accept bookings for adults 80 years of age by the end of 2021 or older. Booking online using the provincial online vaccine booking tool offers the fastest access to available clinic appointments. At this time only adults 80 years of age and older (born 1941 or earlier) are eligible.
To increase the number of individuals benefiting from a first dose of vaccine in the context of a limited COVID-19 vaccine supply and the presence of highly transmissible variants, the Province is following recommendations from the National Advisory Committee on Immunization to extend the time interval of the second dose of COVID-19 vaccines up to 16 weeks.
This recommendation is important for avoiding severe disease, hospitalization and death from COVID-19, and was communicated by Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. David Williams to all regional Medical Officers of Health on Mar. 8.
Kingston Frontenac Lennox & Addington Public Health and its partners, including Kingston Health Sciences Centre, have accepted this recommendation and second-dose appointments will be scheduled accordingly.
This means, all second-dose appointments scheduled and not yet scheduled at KHSC for health-care workers and essential caregivers need to be (re)scheduled for a later date. Vaccine recipients who already have second-dose appointments booked will first receive appointment cancellations.
In the coming weeks, all first-dose recipients will receive an email invitation to book their second-dose appointments from Public Health. These appointments will be scheduled as soon as vaccine supply allows and up to the accepted 16-week interval.
We know everyone is eager to receive their second shots, but please rest assured that measurable immunity of more than 85% is detectable by 12 days following the first shot of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. Also, based on current evidence from real-world experience and vaccine science, this level of protection is not expected to rapidly wane.
Vaccination Clinics (age group 60-64)
Local pharmacies participating in the COVID-19 vaccine pharmacy clinic pilot are now listed on the KFLA Public Health website. http://ow.ly/shY250DVvyE Contact the pharmacy directly to book an appointment. Please do not call KFL&A Public Health. Appointments are only currently available for those 60 to 64 years of age.
Pharmacies in KFL&A offering COVID-19 vaccines
Please contact the pharmacy directly for more information on booking an appointment.
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. Staff will provide you direction at the time. General Visitors need to wait for their test results before they can see the person they have come to visit. 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, you would need to have a PCR test completed at the Assessment Center to confirm the positive diagnosis.
Further, for general visitors, 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 March 21 - 27, 2021
Here is the week’s program schedule for Lilac Knoll commencing March 21 - 27, 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 this 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)
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 Meeting - Tues., Mar. 23rd 1:30 via Zoom
The meeting should be no more than an hour. Please join us.
AGENDA FAMILY COUNCIL MEETING MAR. 23 2021
Updates and Information - 1:30 - 1:50
Update from Candice re: programming during Covid
Update on status of vaccinations and protocols going forward.
Review of the process structure in terms of issues and concerns.
Review of the Terms of Reference:
What changes could we make to ensure Family Council stays viable.
Suggestions as to how to get more people involved in Family Council.
Family Council, a time for sharing, caring, and supporting.
Q - Is it correct to assume volunteers are still not able to come into the home?
A - We are starting to slowly bring a small number of volunteers back into the Home. This is really based on our own ability to manage the added training, testing and monitoring associated with this.
Q - Is it okay for essential care givers of residents on the second floor to take their loved one out onto the balcony area while visiting?
A - As has been the case every year, regardless of COVID, the balcony spaces and garden areas don’t get opened up until we are confident that ice and snow are no longer an issue. The balcony’s are shaded and are often of particular concern in early spring. This will be regularly reviewed as the weather stabilizes. There has been no decision made yet as to the balcony spaces and essential caregivers.
Q - If I want to take my loved one for a drive can I do so as long as I have the rapid test?
A - Given the Variant of Concern and the KFLA rising numbers we are highly recommending a PCR or rapid antigen test prior to interacting with a resident. Being in a vehicle doesn’t allow for physical distancing, therefore our strong recommendation is that masks are also worn by everyone in the vehicle for the duration of the drive.
Q - Are there mental health supports for residents to help them deal with the changes due to Covid protocols?
A - Residents are provided with mental health supports both internally and externally. We do have access to external mental health services via electronic formats as well. We also have various regulated professionals within the Home that can support residents or make the appropriate referrals as needed.
Q - If I have a question or concern who do I address it to?
A - This would depend on the question/concern. For resident specific questions/concerns related directly to your resident the RPN who is the Charge nurse on the floor is the best place to start. The RPN knows the resident very well and knows the medication and care needs of your person. If you are not satisfied or have further concerns you can ask to speak to the Team Leader who is the RN. Failing both of these discussions you can reach out to the Assistant Manager of Nursing, Emily.
If your question is related to COVID procedures, guidance, testing, etc then your best person to contact is the Manager connected to the RHA of your loved one. This is listed in the chart laid out in each newsletter.
If your question is business/finance related please reach out to Bobbie-Joe.
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
Dominos Day
St. Paddy's Day
Birthday Baking
Paddle Game
Keith's Homemade Soup
Keith shared his bean and bacon homemade soup recipe with us for today’s cooking program with Janice. His recipe includes crushed tomatoes, bacon, onion and white navy beans. Everyone who tried it today LOVED it!! We are even adding it to our Home menu right here at JMPC! Next soup we are going to create is split pea and ham.
Forms That You May Require
Paper Copies of the Weekly Newsletter – Available at the Resource Centre right behind the screeners.