We are happy to share with you that we are all set up in the tea room on the first floor to conduct your rapid antigen testing. There is a private spot to receive your swab and then a waiting area that separates you from the resident area.
As we have come to expect throughout this pandemic, the Ministry provided us with updated direction regarding the antigen testing for caregivers on Feb 16 and then further direction and clarification on Feb 17 and again on Feb 18.
Also at the same time, we were approved to qualify for a rural exemption regarding the testing expectations of all coming into the Home.
As a result of these 2 above changes we are making substantive changes to the testing requirements of the pre-designated essential caregivers.
Effective immediately, any pre-designated essential caregivers who plan to enter the building will need to go to the Napanee Assessment Centre for their regular COVID swab between Wednesday - Sunday each week. In addition, if you plan to come into the building more than once weekly, you will need to come into the Home on Monday OR Tuesday each week to have your rapid antigen test at the times outlined below.
This will mean that all essential caregivers who plan to enter the Home more than once per week must be tested weekly at the Assessment Center and once weekly at JMPC resulting in a total of 2 tests per week which will be the same as the staff. These 2 types of tests, according to the Ministry cannot be on consecutive days.
It is important to note that the rapid antigen test still applies to all visitors entering the Home and must be done each time they enter the Home. Visitors do not require the COVID swab from the Assessment centre.
In 2 weeks we will begin the transition of staff to a combination of rapid antigen as well as the PCR test. They are required to be tested twice weekly – once with the rapid antigen and the second with the PCR test.
The in-house testing of staff and essential caregivers/visitors that is being required of LTC Homes is very taxing on our human resources. There is a significant administrative workload to this entire program. We recognize the importance of essential caregivers and visitors coming into the Home and will work very hard to not impose any more restrictions on your ability to access your loved one than what is already mandated of you. Please know, that we will monitor our ability to manage this task and make the necessary adjustments to support positive outcomes with our residents as our number one priority.
We do expect that our residents will be receiving their 2nd dose of the Moderna vaccine next week for those who had their first dose at our big vaccination clinic on Jan 28. We do not have a confirmation on this date as yet though. If you have not returned the consent form back to us for this second dose, please do this ASAP.
Last week we had representatives from KFLA Public Health into the Home to conduct an audit on the staff’s hand hygiene practices. This will be completed again next week and we will then be able to provide feedback / targeted education or coaching as a result of the comprehensive auditing.
This has been a very long year and we are all growing weary. Please be patient with us. We are juggling a lot of balls in the air while being asked to take on additional balls on a regular basis! We are taking on tasks that have not been done before and when questions are asked, there isn’t always a readily accessible answer, because, like you, this is our first time going through a pandemic and we continue to learn as we go.
Luckily we all have the same goal at the end of every day… Keep COVID out of our Home! Keep COVID out of our community!
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 requires all LTC Homes to switch to the Rapid Antigen Test (instead of the COVID test you had done at the Assessment Centre). The results of this test, 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 COVID test you were 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 Rapid Antigen Test will be conducted each day you enter the LTC Home (up to once a day – meaning you will not require 2 or more tests per day if you enter the Home more than once). Further, the Ministry requires that you must not have any access to any residents until the rapid antigen testing results are confirmed. We have a waiting area in a portion of the tea room as you await your test results (this will take approximately 20 min).
Just let the person doing your rapid antigen test know if you plan to enter JMPC more than once that day, and 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 PCR test from the assessment centre 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)
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 on Monday and Tuesday at the times noted below.
9:00am – 10:45am
1:00pm – 3:30pm
6:00pm – 7:00pm
NOTE: Shift Change will result in delays for non-staff.
Shift change that occurs during testing times are 2:30 and 6:30pm
Visitor Testing Times
Visitor testing will only be done 30 min prior to available visit booking times.
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 the essential caregiver receives the rapid antigen test, your visit can occur at any time during that day or rest of the week.
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.
Here is the week’s program schedule commencing February 21-27, 2021
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
With the Variants of Concern we need to ensure we remain very attentive to our infection control practices both internally in the Home but also in our own individual homes. We also need to ensure that we are taking all necessary precautions when we are going out and about in our communities. With our area being in the Green, we are seeing an increase in individuals coming from non green areas to shop, attend restaurants etc.
It is essential to be on your guard at all times and maintain consistency in hand hygiene and physical distancing including limiting your exposure to individuals outside of the green zone. Proper mask use by those around you is essential to protect each other.
REMINDER: If you have not yet returned your consent form for the residents 2nd dose of the COVID Vaccine – Moderna, please do so ASAP.
Message from the Chair of Family Council
Questions brought forward by families this week to Gwen and answered by Angela:
Q. How many visitors can come at one time to visit one resident in MacDonald Hall?
A.Two visitors can come to see one resident at the same time.
Q. Can anyone book a visit with a resident in MacDonald Hall?
A.Yes. They will need to pre-book and will need to go through the screening and COVID testing.
Q. Can both pre-designated essential caregivers come at the same time to see the resident in their room?
A.Yes. The two pre-designated essential caregivers can come at the same time.
Family Council, a time for sharing, caring and supporting.
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.
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
Valentine’s Day was celebrated with lots of red, cupid floats
and valentine cards from our community!
Exercise Class
Beauty Time
Baking with Janice
Janice retired from JMPC as our Food Service Supervisor a few years ago.
It was great to have her back leading a baking program with the residents today!
Forms That You May Require
Paper Copies of the Weekly Newsletter – Available at the Resource Centre right behind the screeners.