At the Home we continue to focus our efforts on improving, and learning from others experiences. We are very happy to have this platform to reach out to you each week to keep you well informed and connected to us. This newsletter is also our way of providing education and an understanding of what you can expect as new Directives come out or the status of our region changes.
A new framework has been created for the province to utilize that focuses on colour coded zones. As of right now KFLA remains in the Green Zone. Later in this newsletter you will see this framework explained to hopefully help you understand what is occurring in each of the different colour zones.
Our Resident Council met this month as they normally do. They have raised concern regarding the increased number of people coming into the Home and into their Home Areas. This concern is certainly mixed with many emotions as they are certainly happy to have loved ones visiting them in their rooms they are also acutely aware of the increased risk that this may cause. Their specific area of concern that was a topic of discussion at their meeting was around the verbal attestation that family and friends coming into the Home are expected to state. The residents council felt strongly that they would prefer that family and friends actually show proof of their current and negative COVID test as this would provide further assurance to the residents as to their safety within the Home. More on this in the “What’s New” section.
Just a reminder, you can get signed up for these newsletters by going to the Lennox & Addington website… COVID Updates….JMPC Updates. If you know of someone who doesn’t have email and would like a hard copy they can have one handed to them at the front door by our screeners or a hard copy can be picked up at the Resource Library located right behind the screeners desk.
We are turning our minds a little bit towards Christmas shopping and have included some Christmas ideas for your loved one in this newsletter as well.
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 is located at the Westdale Complex at 12 Richmond Park Drive, Napanee.
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 2 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.
Breaking Down what the different Colour Zones mean?
KFLA as of today remains in the GREEN Zone.
Green (Prevent and Standard Measures)
Yellow (Protect and Strengthened Measures)
Orange (Restrict and Intermediate Measures)
Red (Control and Stringent Measures)
Lockdown (Maximum Measures).
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.
Chinese Food on request for the Birthday Dinner on Nov 25th.
Orchard Trail is having their Champagne Breakfast on Nov 26
Program Schedule - Here is the week’s program schedule commencing November 22nd
Residents Council – The Resident’s Council of The John M Parrott Centre has asked that all essential caregivers coming into their Home, show proof of a current negative COVID-19 test each time they enter. The Ministry directive requires a verbal attestation of a current negative COVID test. Out of respect for this important request that residents who live here have expressed to us, we will be asking to see proof of this on a go forward basis. In fairness, this should not be an issue given that the requirement for essential caregivers and visitors entering this Home has been to verbally attest/confirm that they have this in place now. The only change is that you must bring the proof with you.
Absences from the Home
Short Term and Temporary absences require a form to be completed (see link at bottom of the newsletter) and need to be pre-approved by the Home.
As is the case for booking the window, indoor 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.
NOTE: In the event of an outbreak in the home, or where the community is listed to be in a Orange or Red Zone indicating that there is evidence of widespread community transmission as per provincial direction, absences are not permitted except for medical or compassionate reasons.
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 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.
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!
Be sure to wear your mask when in the car to protect each other
We would love to hear how you have enjoyed these driving tours. Send us an email here to give us some feedback. We would love to hear from you!
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, 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. To cancel an appointment, please contact Colleen at cyork@lennox-addington.on.ca or Earline (main line)
Annual Family Satisfaction Survey
This family satisfaction survey is open and we would encourage you to participate in this short survey here. This survey will be open until Nov 30 2020.
Infection Control from the desk of Emily Sarley
The importance of maintaining physical distancing is very important. Anytime that you are unable to do this (which includes in a vehicle) please ensure that you wear a mask.
Message from the Chair of Family Council
We don’t know what the future will bring and what new directives will need to be implemented in the Home. If there is some feedback that you would like me to bring forward to the Home as a suggestion or an opportunity to improve what they are currently doing to keep our loved ones safe, keep us informed etc, please feel free to reach out to me. I’ll be happy to pass it along.
Wheelchair accessories (such as bags/purses, cup holders)
Alzheimer's Society
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
Doris Tickling the Ivories
November Birthdays
Coffee Club
An RSA was reading to a resident today
– a picture capturing this quiet moment
Christmas Decorating in Lilac Knoll
Forms You May Require
Paper Copies of the Weekly Newsletter – Available at the Resource Centre right behind the screeners.