Our community has done an amazing job during this pandemic and this week we were certainly rewarded for our sacrifices and attention to hand hygiene, mask compliance and physical distancing. Well Done!! Definitely a time to celebrate, but at the same time, celebrate cautiously and carefully.
There have been quite a few changes released this week for LTC Homes across the province related to COVID testing.
There are also changes as a result of our Health region returning to the green zone. I hope you have had an opportunity to review the Special Newsletter that I sent out on February 9, 2021 outlining the changes. We have had a number of calls this week asking for further clarification so hopefully this newsletter will help to clear things up.
With our move to the Green zone, we are able to again welcome 2 pre-designated Essential Caregivers per resident. There is no need to book an appointment for your visit at this time. However, this will also be changing. (more on that in the COVID Testing section)
Essential Caregivers are permitted in the residents room. They are able to take the resident out the front of the building for a walk or sit outside should they wish to. Essential Caregivers must not enter the dining room or any other common area for any reason at any time unless walking through the hall directly to enter or exit the building. The single elevator to the right of the foyer is for Essential Caregivers to use.
General visitors are able book a visit time using our on-line booking platform (Picktime) to visit with a resident in MacDonald Hall.
Anyone wishing to meet a resident outside on the JMPC property and are not able to come into the Home to pick up the resident must book this outdoor visit using our online booking tool. Outdoor, on property visits, require a mask to be worn as well.
The Home must provide a surgical mask for both Essential Caregivers and visitors coming into the Home. (Fabric masks are not permitted). Eye protection is strongly encouraged but not required. Essential Caregivers and visitors must not remove their face mask for any reason. (no consumption of food or drink)
We will continue to discourage anyone from outside of a green zone to enter our building or take a resident on an outing/drive. The deadly impact of COVID on a LTC Home cannot be stressed enough. This was a significant concern of our Resident's Council and I would be remiss not to respect their request and reiterate this to you today.
I have provided a lengthy explanation below regarding the changes that will affect you as they relate to the COVID-19 testing process.
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.
Hope you have a good week,
Angela Malcolm
Director
COVID-19 Testing for Essential Caregivers
The Ministry of Health has issued a directive to LTC Homes that result in significant changes for Essential Caregivers and general visitors coming into LTC Homes.
The change is regarding the type of COVID test that we are expected to provide as well as the frequency the Ministry requires for this testing.
Throughout this pandemic you have been very supportive of receiving your regular (weekly or bi-weekly) COVID-19 test at the Assessment Centre. This test is called a Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). The challenge with this test is that there is a delay in receiving the results of this test. Across the province delays are upwards of 4 days. Of note, in KFLA, we have a very efficient turnaround time of this test of approximately 12 hours. As you can imagine, any delay of this testing can have detrimental impacts to the community, LTC home etc as an individual goes about their day unaware of their potential positive COVID test.
As a result, the Ministry would now like to move to a test called the Rapid Antigen Test. The results of this test, which is conducted on site at the LTC Home, 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. The testing procedure used for this test is a deep nasal swab (which is not as deep as the test you are currently having at the Assessment Centre).
Should an individual test positive using this Rapid Antigen test, they would need to have a PCR test completed at the assessment centre to confirm the positive diagnosis.
The Ministry requirements for the Rapid Antigen Test for Essential Caregivers and general visitors mandates that the LTC Home provides your test each time you enter the LTC Home (up to once a day – meaning you will not require 2 or more tests per day). Further, the Ministry requires that you must not have any access to any residents until the rapid antigen testing results are confirmed. We will have a waiting area in a portion of the tea room as you await your test results (this will take approximately 20 min).
If you enter JMPC more than once per day or plan to, we can provide a note that you can present on your subsequent visits into the Home to the screener confirming your daily rapid antigen test result.
With the transition to the Rapid Antigen Test, the current weekly or bi-weekly PCR test will no longer be required. (however, if you develop symptoms or have a positive rapid antigen test, a PCR test will be required at your nearest Assessment Centre)
All LTC Homes must have this program fully transitioned by March 15 2021 but are strongly encouraged to implement this as soon as each Home can, prior to this date.
At JMPC we have decided to implement this program effective Thursday February 18 2021.
What does this mean leading up to the transition date of Feb 18, for you?
If you have had a COVID-19 PCR test on Feb 3 or later you do not need to book another test at the Assessment Centre.
Upon your entry into the Home on and after February 18, you need to account for the testing and waiting time for the Rapid Antigen Test before you can see a resident.
COVID Testing Times
As a result of the Ministry requiring the Home to conduct the COVID testing for all essential caregivers and visitors entering the Home we do unfortunately need to put some parameters in place so that we can manage this task.
Effective February 18 2021, we will be available to conduct COVID testing for all essential caregivers and visitors during the following times only:
9:00 am – 11:00 am
1:00 pm – 3:30 pm
6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
The Rapid Antigen Test must be done here at JMPC and will take place in the tea room area where you will also need to wait for the results. Staff will provide you direction at the time.
NOTE: Once you receive your rapid antigen test for the day, your visit can proceed as usual
For example:
If you visit on Tuesday’s at 11:15am you will need to come in to be tested between 9-11 that same morning if you wish to maintain your regular visit schedule.
If, as an essential caregiver, you visit twice daily at 9am and again at 8pm then you would be tested at 9am, wait the 20 min for your negative result and then could come back without any delays/antigen testing for your regular 8pm visit.
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.
New Items: Turkey Stew, Garlic shrimp, Honey roasted pork chop, French toast sponge cake, cranberry glazed chicken, chicken and bean soup. Hot turkey sandwich
Resident requests: Beef stroganoff, Apple pie with ice cream, chicken cobb salad,
Pancake Tuesday on the 16th for Lunch
Program Schedule
Here is the week’s program schedule commencing February 14-20, 2021
How do you like our use of ZOOM?
Hi Families,
Kate Wilson and I are putting together a presentation on the zoom program at JMPC to share with the community.
“Meaningful interaction during a global pandemic.
Reflections from residents and caregivers on virtual visiting”
We are hoping to gather testimonials from the zoom program as well as obtain feedback about how the program has impacted you during Covid.
We are very excited as JMPC did not have a virtual visiting program until last year thanks to Kate from the L&A library.
Questions:
1. How has participating in the zoom program impacted you are a care partner/friend?
2. Do you feel that the zoom program has helped in maintaining a relationship with your loved one during the pandemic?
3. If you are a long distance caregiver, has the zoom program made it easier to connect with your loved one more than you did before?
4. What has been your favourite aspect of the zoom program?
5. What suggestions would you make to improve the zoom program?
Please send your answers to
cmcmullen@lennox-addington.on.ca
Thank you!
Candice & Kate
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 the 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 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 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)
Infection Control from the desk of Emily Sarley
We need to remain attentive to Hand Hygiene, Physical Distancing and Masking.
While COVID-19 cases are declining in the province, we are increasingly concerned about Variants of Concern (VOC). These are mutations in the SARS-CoV-2 genome for which there is strong evidence that it will have an impact on public health and clinical practice, including virulence and vaccine efficacy.
Three notables VOCs are currently circulating in Ontario:
UK variant (B.1.1.7)
South African variant (501Y.V2)
Brazil variant (P.1).
There is growing evidence of increased transmissibility for all three VOCs, emerging evidence of an increased risk of death from the UK variant, and increased risk of vaccine escape and reinfection with a mutation found in the South African and Brazil variants.
Ontario's laboratory network is currently working to increase screening for VOCs in COVID-positive specimens and conducting further analysis on all VOC screen-positive specimens.
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,
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
KFC Lunch on February 5
B-I-N-G-O
Happy 88th Birthday Gladys!
Forms That You May Require
Paper Copies of the Weekly Newsletter – Available at the Resource Centre right behind the screeners.