I sincerely hope that everyone was able to enjoy some special times over Christmas. Now is the time to reflect on the year we have went through and our hopes for what 2021 will hold for all of us.
As you know, on December 26 2020, the province went into a lockdown. This means:
The resident/POA can designate only 1 essential caregiver who can visit with the resident in their room only. Please contact the Manager you typically reach out to for outings etc (listed later in this newsletter) to advise of the designated individual ASAP if you have not already done this.
The essential caregiver must show proof of a WEEKLY negative COVID test (no exceptions)
All pre-booked outings are cancelled as residents are only permitted to go out for medical appointments during the provincial lockdown.
Staff are now wearing face shields routinely again (or safety glasses). Prior to going into any residents room who is on isolation, they switch to a disposable face shield and mask which they dispose of as they exit the room and then after hand sanitizing re-apply their own face shield/safety glasses.
Now that the snow and ice are here, please refrain from going around the building to the residents room windows. The access to these areas is not safe and we would hate to have anyone fall as it is very possible that we would not see you for quite some time. The perimeter around the building is neither plowed nor salted. If you would like to book a window visit at a window in MacDonald Hall please use our booking tool and we can then ensure to have your loved one there along with a phone to assist with the visit.
We do anticipate the vaccine rollout to staff to occur early in January although nothing is firm on that as of yet. Later in this newsletter (in Emily’s section) there is a link for you to read that contains information about the vaccine that you will find helpful.
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
COVID-19 Testing for Visitors & Caregivers
Greater Napanee COVID-19 Assessment Centre
Westdale campus at 12 Richmond Park Drive, Napanee.
You require an appointment. You can pre-book your appointment online here.
Hours are 8:30-3:30 seven days a week.
You will need to identify yourself as an essential caregiver/visitor
in LTC in order to be tested without symptoms.
Please plan to allow yourself at least 1 day grace to ensure you can
maintain a current COVID test.
Who must have (and show proof of) a negative COVID test every week?
All caregivers and visitors coming inside or visiting outside on the Home’s property.
The link to access your results for this testing is here.
For LTC Homes in the Orange, Red and Lockdown zones essential caregivers coming into the Home are reduced to 1 person.
IMPORTANT
If you, or anyone in your household, feel unwell at all,
please postpone your visit 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. Essential caregivers are not permitted to eat/drink in the Home.
All other items will be kept for 24 hours prior to being taken to the resident.
Here is the week’s program schedule commencing Dec 27 - Jan 2 2021.
Here is the week’s program schedule commencing Jan 3 - 9 2021.
Our BIG plans to celebrate New Years at JMPC
Absences from the Home
On Hold.
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 residents 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.
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 this formto 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 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)
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands. Remember to clean such items as your handbag handles, cell phone, seatbelt clip as these are common places that you place your hands. Ensure to keep hand sanitizer in your vehicle and in your purse.
We are getting a lot of questions about the COVID vaccine. This is a great link to vaccine information on the KFLA Public Health site at https://covid-19.ontario.ca/getting-covid-19-vaccine-ontario . This vaccine will be available first to health care workers, essential caregivers, LTC and Retirement Home residents, First Nation communities and urban Indigenous populations. The vaccines are not mandatory but are strongly encouraged.
Message from the Chair of Family Council
Family Council is composed of family and friends of the residents of the John 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, feel free to reach out.
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
Christmas Morning and Afternoon Tea in MacDonald Hall
Ring Toss with our “Reindeer” Chris!
Time to Fold the Laundry in Lilac Knoll
Blow Art
Playing Musical Instruments to Christmas Carols
Forms That You May Require
Paper Copies of the Weekly Newsletter – Available at the Resource Centre right behind the screeners.