Welcome to update number 4 to families and friends of JMPC. Every week I am so very happy to tell you that we remain COVID-19 Free at The John M Parrott Centre!! As time passes, this is harder and harder on both you and the residents who are really missing each other. We are really working hard to ensure there is some great opportunities to engage residents to help them pass the time. This week we rolled out an exciting new program using Virtual Reality!! Residents took a “trip” to Hawaii and the Rockies!! Even Dr. Robichaud got in on the action with some race car driving!! It was great to hear the reminiscing that occurred as residents recalled trips they made over the years and sights/memories that they recall.
Thank you to the mystery person(s) who left us some kindness rocks on our windowsill. We love them!! Feel free to drop more of these in our flower beds as you walk up to the front entrance of the Home!! We are very appreciative of all of your ongoing support and kindness along with your daily words of encouragement to everyone here. We really do appreciate it.
Stay socially distant and safe,
Angela Malcolm
What's New at JMPC
Telephones -- As I mentioned last week, we were trying to improve our phone communication between residents who don’t have a phone and their families. I am happy to let you know that we have created a better solution. For those calling in, we have repurposed three of the wireless phones in the Home that we can use for incoming calls between families and residents. If all three phones are being utilized, you will be put on hold until one of the phones becomes free. This will allow our Registered staff to continue to utilize their phones and keep them available for emergencies should that be necessary. You won’t need to do anything different on your end as staff receiving your call will simply transfer the call to the correct extension. We are just getting used to this new system so I’m sure there will be a few hiccups but some progress is better than no progress!
Window Visits -- Please be mindful of the importance of physical distancing when visiting residents at the windows. It is important that you not touch the screens and windows. They are only to be opened 1” so that you can hear each other. If this is difficult, please arrange for a phone call while you are standing at the window to help facilitate an easier conversation. We will be happy to help with this.
Resident Treats -- We are working with KFLA Public Health on a safe approach to families who would like to bring in an edible treat for a resident. As soon as we have a process we will communicate via this email group as soon as possible before the weekend. Thank you for your patience as we navigate these things that we have normally not had to do.
Clothing Sale
Mother's Day! Silverts Adapted clothing is having an up to 50% off Mothers Day sale. They provide dresses, pants, shirts, pjs, socks, slippers and more! If you need help with sizing we can help you just email Candice here. Please click the link below.
The Person Behind the Mask
Persons living with Dementia often experience periods of confusion and anxiety. They tend to rely on routine, structure, and familiarity daily in order to navigate through their day. Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, our days look very different and it has taken us some time to adjust. For our residents living with Dementia, daily changes to their routine and what is familiar around them can cause increased confusion and anxiety, often resulting in a change in mood and expressive behaviours.
At the moment, our residents are isolated from family, friends, and loved ones due to current visiting restrictions and this may be impacting their mental health or ability to socially connect with others. In addition, staff are wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) in the form of masks and face shields in order to protect the residents, which may hinder their ability to connect with staff.
WHAT A PERSON LIVING WITH DEMENTIA SEES
Persons Living with Dementia are likely unaware of the current pandemic and may have difficulty understanding the need for additional PPE and the precautions in place. These precautions may be stressful for them.
Persons Living with Dementia often rely on body language and facial expressions during interactions, especially when language is affected. PPE can act as an additional barrier to their understanding of their environment and health care workers.
WHAT DO WE DO TO SUPPORT THESE RESIDENTS?
Our residents living with dementia often need extra time to understand what is being asked of them. The addition of a mask or face shield, can distort our residents ability to understand even more. Staff take extra time when communicating with residents to ensure the residents recognize them and are responding to them in a positive manner.
Staff focus on being especially aware of their tone and volume when speaking. Our residents living with dementia find it beneficial when staff animate their tone whenever possible to supplement reduced facial visibility.
Staff do their best to be aware of eye contact and expression of eyes/eyebrows during interactions with residents by utilizing what pieces of their face is exposed to supplement communication.
When it is safe to do so, staff offer personal contact when providing emotional support which can provide added comfort and familiarity.
Our residents living with dementia may have difficulty recognizing previously familiar staff members who are now wearing PPE. Staff ensure to introduce themselves by name when interacting or providing instructions to residents.
When our residents living with dementia have questions surrounding precautions or PPE, staff provide simplified explanations.
When providing emotional support we consider the following:
Validate: the person’s reality & emotional state (“I know these may might seem odd”)
Distract: by supplying them with an activity of interest
Redirection: completely change the topic to something less distressing or confusing
Being mindful of our own non-verbal cues that our residents living with dementia may be responding to (body language, tone of voice, and facial expressions) is something staff consider daily. We understand that it is important to remain calm and that our residents living with dementia lean on us to help decrease anxieties.
And most importantly, we don’t forget to laugh or dance as happiness is be contagious!
Coming Up
We are working on some special surprises for the weekend of Mother’s Day which I know you will love as much as the residents!! Can’t wait to share these with you.
Our third week of the Spring/Summer Menu is here should you wish to check it out. This could even help you at home for that famous question of “What’s for Dinner?" Just follow along at your house...the only sad part is you have to cook it yourself!
Around the Home
Our beautiful Birch Tree in Lilac Knoll has been redecorated for everyone to enjoy
Jean was enjoying the sun as it poured in through the window on Sunday morning
Linda received some lovely birthday flowers
Looking at pictures
Watching Nashville Story
Bowling fun with Laura
Catch with Jessica
Our residents have been benefiting from the County Library & County Museum staff who are able to provide some great one on one visits
Reminiscing with old pictures from around L&A
Message from the Chair of Family Council
Reminder we will be having a Zoom Family Council Meeting on Tues. May 5th at 1:30pm. You will need to download Zoom to your device. Below are the instructions of how to join us. Please let me know ahead so we can ensure everyone who wishes to participate is able to. If you have any suggestions, questions or concerns we will be glad to chat then.
Questions sent to Gwen and answers provided by Angela Malcolm, Director:
Q. Should a resident test positive, and is isolated in the Hospitality Suite, would the air ventilation system allow the Virus to spread to other rooms?
A. The HVAC unit that supplies air for the hospitality suite does not go into the other Resident Home Areas. Resident rooms are 100% fresh air supplied and 100% exhaust.
Q. What is the protocol for that resident being transferred to a hospital? What factors decide that the resident should be moved to a hospital? How close is that room to an exit to provide a safe movement of the infected individual? Will other residents be at a high risk in this movement process? What precautions will be in place at that time?
A. If we were to have a resident positive with COVID-19, they would be kept at the Home based on their symptoms and existing health conditions. We are able to support a wide array of treatment plans and would be in close contact with our physician and/or Medical Director.
We have an extra stretcher in the Home that we will use for any resident transfers (whenever possible) out to the Hospital. JMPC staff will use this stretcher to transfer the resident onto it from their location and then take the resident to the front lobby where they will be transferred onto the Paramedics stretcher. This keeps the paramedics out of the Resident Home Areas which ensures the safety of the remaining residents. Depending on the situation, we will use our Clorox machine to ensure the disinfection of whatever space necessary.
The Hospitality Suite is very close to the elevators on the 2nd floor and would not require any entrance onto a resident home area. We would ensure no contact with other residents should a transfer to hospital become necessary.
Q. I have concerns regarding the COVID 19 testing being conducted next week. I am surprised that this is being carried out at JMPC. I understand that there are no outbreaks and none in the area. I also understand that the testing is not very pleasant to have done with a long swab inserted up your nose.
A. The COVID-19 testing has been occurring on any residents showing any changes to their baseline health status. This has similarly been occurring for all staff. As many of you know, our mandatory testing for both staff and residents is occurring on May 8 2020. The results will take a few days to come in. I will be able to provide an update to all of you in my next newsletter.
The enhanced testing guidelines that were released by the Ontario Ministry of Health requires all Long Term Care Homes to comply. The intention of this testing is to provide an understanding of the prevalence of COVID-19 in LTC. This is a mandatory process for all of us. It is not a pleasant test but the risks associated with having people who are not showing symptoms, but potentially infected while interacting with other residents is very concerning as well. This is a proactive approach and important for all of us to complete.