We hope you enjoyed celebrating all things Canadian this past week!
The recent announcement of the COVID-19 cases in Kingston and area this past week has certainly caused some stress and anxiety for people. It was also a reminder for all of us of how quickly this virus wants to spread. We must remain so very diligent to keep this virus from spreading. Hand hygiene, physical distancing, and wearing a facial covering are our very best defense. If we are not feeling well, we need to stay home. We had no close contacts at the Home related to the recently announced outbreaks. If there were any concerns at all, we vetted them through Public Health to ensure the highest degree of protection for both residents and staff.
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.
Hope you enjoy this week’s newsletter,
Angela Malcolm
Director
COVID-19 Testing for Visitors coming for the Garden Visits
IMPORTANT: Your test results must be within the previous 2 weeks of each visit. If you visit regularly, this will mean that you need to be tested every 2 weeks.
All visitors coming to the Home must be swabbed within 2 weeks of each visit. You will need to call a COVID-19 assessment center to book your COVID-19 swab test and have it completed. It will take approximately 48-72 hours to obtain your results. The number for the Napanee Assessment Centre held at the Lenadco Complex (across the road from JMPC) is 613-354-8254. Other COVID assessment centers are available near you. The link to access your results for this testing is here. The Home will need to see a screenshot or document that you will show to the screener on the day of your visit (we don’t need to have this in advance) confirming you have been tested and have had a negative result in the past 2 weeks.
What to Bring when you come for a Garden Visit:
Bring your COVID test results
Bring your own face covering
Bring your own lawn chair
A visiting schedule has been set up online using the same link as you have been using for zoom and window visits. Access it here. If you are unable to access this online tool, please reach out to the Home at 613 354 3306 and you will be supported in booking this visit. If you are unable to make your booked visiting time for any reason, please call and let the Home know so that we can inform your loved one and avoid any disappointment.
Previous newsletters that will help to answer frequently asked questions:
Menu -- Hereis the menu for this week with the following changes made:
On Wednesday, Spring Meadow will be having the first Steak and Shrimp BBQ night instead of the Grilled Bologna. They will be having Grilled Steak and Shrimp on a skewer with a baked potato and asparagus.
Thursday they are having BBQ Hot Dogs for their weekly BBQ instead of Cheese Dreams.
Program Schedule – Here is this week’s program schedule.
Zoom Meetings, Window Visits & Garden Visits
Book yourZoom and Window 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 please call 613-354-3306 or email Candice here. Please note that you can continue to enjoy your zoom visit along with a Garden visit or window visit. You certainly can have more than one form of connection with your loved one.
Getting to Know Us
Some of you may not be familiar with Emily Sarley. Emily is the Assistant Manager of Nursing who started here at the end of March. Emily previously worked at Village Green in Selby.
. It’s always nice to put a name to a face….. Here’s Emily!
The A's of Dementia
A Closer Look at Memory Loss
This graphic illustrates the difference between a healthy brain and one with changes associated with dementia. Visualizing the physical changes in the brain can help individuals understand why a person living with dementia behaves as they do.
The A’s of Dementia:
AMNESIA
APHASIA
AGNOSIA
APRAXIA
ALTERED PERCEPTION
APATHY
ANOSOGNOSIA
ATTENTION DEFICITS
Individuals living with dementia will experience different losses, to varying degrees. The A’s of dementia represent the many losses associated with the disease. Each A represents a different loss, both cognitive and emotional. Over the next few weeks, we will review what each “A” means and the losses that accompany them.
Let’s start with AMNESIA. Amnesia is loss of memory. A person’s short term memory (STM) stores a very limited amount of information for a short period of time. A person with short term memory loss may have difficulty learning new things or creating new memories. Long term memory (LTM) stores an unlimited amount of information for a long period of time. LTM is often divided into two types which includes declarative memory and procedural memory. Declarative memory contains all the facts and events in a person’s life. These are memories that can be consciously recalled or “declared”. Procedural memory is the unconscious memory of skills that have been learned and how to do them. Basically, the tasks we have learned and can complete without much thought like tying a shoe or riding a bike. Procedural memory is quite often retained in those living with dementia which explains why many are able to perform certain tasks easily. For all people, memories are gained in the order they are experienced. (Memories of childhood are stored before memories of adulthood) For those living with dementia, memories are lost in the exact reverse. (Memories of adulthood are lost before memories of childhood) Unfortunately in dementia, STM is affected more than LTM. A person with dementia may forget yesterday, but still have intact memories from decades ago. They live in the moment, but only have access to the information from the past and therefore live in a moment from long ago. A person who has memory loss or amnesia may say, “I don’t know why I am here, I need to get home.” They may repeat this continuously as they may be unable to recall what has just been explained to them. This can be distressing and frustrating for both the person with dementia as well as for their caregivers. People with memory loss benefit from consistent routine. Using a daily agenda to inform of scheduled activities/tasks can be helpful. Visual cues, such as labelling drawers and cupboards, signage to indicate where a bathroom is or even a stop sign to remind them not to pass through a certain door. Simple prompts such as photos or memorabilia can help to stimulate memories, which can help the individual feel connected, empowered and less frustrated. Achieving this, will go along way to improving their quality of life.
For more information on memory loss and tips for how to cope, go to: https://www.alzheimer.ca
Message from the Chair of Family Council
Q. I can’t find a way to cancel an appointment on line if I can’t make it?
A. In terms of cancelling an appointment. The booking site doesn’t have that feature to cancel yourself online unfortunately.
Q. Why are there no times after 3:30 for window visits. It makes it impossible for people who work to visit?
A. The reasoning for this is due to staffing at this time. The staff responsible for these visits have other responsibilities from 4:00 on like assisting with getting residents ready for dinner and assisting with serving and supporting during meal time.
Please feel free to reach out to Gwen if you have a question that you would like to have answered in this newsletter
We have been very fortunate to have the band “Full English” share their musical talents with us every weekend for the residents to enjoy!
Recognizing Fr. Dave
We were very happy to recognize Fr. Dave as he had requested by bringing in food that could be used to support local families in need. We are very thankful for the years of support that Fr. Dave has provided to the Home.