The time for flu shots is now! We have begun giving staff flu shots this week and resident’s flu shots will then follow right after. This is the ideal time for everyone to receive their flu shot. Please enquire with your own family doctor or local drug store to get yours today.
The infection control video links on putting on/taking off PPE as well as hand hygiene identified in the newsletter below are mandatory educational short videos for all visitors/families coming into the Home. The Ministry of Long Term Care required that they be watched once in mid September when this requirement started and then monthly thereafter. Please take a couple of minutes today to review these videos below again.
We are finding over the past week a significant improvement in testing/results of COVID testing turnaround time. In many cases we are seeing results in 24-48 hours.
As the cooler weather has arrived, we have been conducting our new admissions via zoom instead of outside of the building under the balcony. This still allows face recognition and connection with the Home during this difficult admission process.
There are 2 forms that have been developed over the past few weeks that are pertinent to residents/families. The first is the designation of up to 2 essential caregivers per resident. The Ministry of Long Term Care requires Homes to have written documentation for those selected to be Essential Caregivers. This form here is now a mandatory requirement that must be done in advance of your first time coming into the Home as an essential caregiver to the resident room. This form does not need to be completed prior to each visit. The second form is the Short term / Temporary absence form that must be completed in advance for each outing and approved by the Home. This form is here. Later in this newsletter, you will note the Manager that has been assigned to each Resident Home Area that you will need to connect with to send these forms electronically to or you can phone them.
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.
Stay safe,
Angela Malcolm
Director
COVID-19 Testing for Visitors & Caregivers
The Greater Napanee COVID-19 Assessment Centre has now moved to the Westdale campus at 12 Richmond Park Drive.
All swabbing tests at The Napanee Assessment Centre require an appointment. You can pre-book your appointment online here.
Hours have been extended to 8:30-3:30 seven days a week.
You will need to identify yourself as an essential caregiver/visitor coming into LTC in order to be tested.
Due to the increase in demand for this service it will be very important for you to plan to allow yourself at least 4-5 days to ensure you maintain a current COVID test. This will be the minimum time required to allow for a return call to book your appointment, attend your appointment and then wait for the results.
Who must have a negative COVID test every 2 weeks?
All caregivers and visitors coming inside the Home
All visitors visiting outside who are not physically distanced
The link to access your results for this testing is here.
IMPORTANT
If you, or anyone in your household, (or anyone who would be
interacting with the resident while they are out), feel unwell at all,
please postpone your outing with the resident.
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.
The birthday Dinner is on Wednesday and they will be having BBQ Pork Ribs and Hashbrown casserole. (Resident choice)
Thursday Rose Garden and Orchard Trail will be having Breakfast Club (fried eggs and bacon)
Program Schedule - Here is the week’s program schedule commencing Oct. 25
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 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 absences you will be required to have the form completed and approved prior to the absence.
As is the case for booking the window, 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.
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 residents Home area. Alternatively, if you would prefer, you can phone the appropriate manager and they will assist you.
Mandatory Training Videos
These training videos are mandatory for you to watch prior to entering the building
A component of the Directives that the Ministry released that took effect on Sept 9 includes a mandatory requirement for Homes to ensure that Essential Caregivers coming into the Home receives 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.
Partnership with GIS Through the County
Has anyone checked out some of the low risk ideas suggested by our GIS Team?
“COVID–19 Friendly Ideas for Senior Community Members in L&A”
Click here and you will find low risk activities that you could do with your loved one. From walking to vehicle tours and historical interest to scenic interest…Take your pick!
Essential Caregiver Designation
The Ministry of Long Term Care updated visiting policy was released Oct 5 2020 for LTC that took effect on October 7, 2020. With that comes a requirement of written documentation that supports the essential caregiver designation. As a result, we have created a PDF form here 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.
We will require this form to be completed and returned to us by Oct 19. Following that date, essential caregivers who have not completed this document will need to do so 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, Window, Indoor & Garden Visits
Book yourZoom, Window, Indoor and Garden Visit 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. Please note that you can continue to enjoy your zoom visit along with an inside, Garden or window visit. You certainly can have more than one form of connection with your loved one.
Need to Cancel your Booked Visit?
The booking site doesn’t have that feature to cancel yourself online unfortunately. So to cancel an appointment you can:
Review of infection control practices when entering the home for ALL Essential Care Givers:
Written request for essential caregiving has to be completed and approved prior to becoming an essential caregiver
A negative COVID result is needed within the past 14 days of every visit.
Wash hands prior to entering the home
All screening questions need to be answered appropriately
A surgical mask needs to be applied prior to leaving the screening table.
Masks need to be worn over the nose and pinch around the nose
Masks are not to be removed at any time during the essential caregiving visit
All essential caregivers are to go directly to the RHA and to their resident’s room
If essential caregivers are needing assistance, they are to ring the call bell in the resident room
If the essential caregiver is needing to use the washroom, they are to only use the washroom by the front screening desk (not in the residents room)
Essential caregivers are not permitted in any common areas of the home
Essential caregivers are not permitted to bring in drink or food items for themselves, as masks need to worn for the duration of the visit.
The flu shot is effective
The effectiveness of the vaccine varies from season to season. It depends on how well the vaccine matches with the circulating flu viruses, as well as the health and age of the person getting the flu shot.
The viruses circulating in the population can sometimes change during the time it takes to produce a vaccine. When this happens during the flu season, the flu shot may not work as well as expected.
It is also important to remember that the flu shot protects against several different flu viruses each season. Even when there is a less-than-ideal match or lower effectiveness against one virus, the seasonal flu shot can still provide protection against the remaining two or three viruses. If you do get the flu, the flu shot may reduce the severity of flu-related complications.
Getting your flu shot is still the most effective way to protect yourself against the flu and flu-related complications.
The flu shot is safe
you cannot get the flu from the flu shot
most people have no side effects from the flu shot
severe reactions are very rare
To learn more about the safety of vaccines, refer to:
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
Virtual Church Service
JMPC Charades
October Birthday Celebrations
Our new Salon Assistant took it upon herself to sort out the curlers and ensures towels are folded and ready for use!
Forms You May Require
Essential Caregiver Designation Form – Click here Short term or Temporary Absence Request Form – Clickhere