January 28, 2022

Dear Friends and Family Members,

Assisted-Independent Living Update

At this time, we have no further positive tenant cases, we currently only have two (2) active Assisted-Independent Living cases.  We continue with our precautionary measures.

We currently have three (3) active staff COVID cases from Kamloops community exposures and there has been Zero (0) resident cases on Complex Care from the previous exposure event this month.

Yesterday, Interior Health confirmed they will NOT be putting us on an outbreak, and are pleased with our proactive measures we have in place to decrease the opportunity for further transmission.

Our next communication will be on Tuesday, February 1, 2022 unless changes occur.

Protocols

We have closed our Assisted Living Dining Room and commenced meal deliveries to tenants’ suites, as well as cancelled group Assisted-Independent Living recreation activities. The recreation team is doing treat and activity trolleys door to door. We are continuing these protocols through Monday, January 31, 2022 at which time we will evaluate and reassess.

Tenants are permitted to leave their room, but are encouraged to remain in their suites when at all possible unless it’s essential (i.e. pick up deliveries at reception etc). We are asking tenants to remain diligent and wear a mask while in public spaces to protect themselves, as well a practice hand hygiene.

We have identified anyone else who may have been exposed and taking steps to protect the health of all residents and staff by notifying close tenant contacts. Low threshold rapid testing will be done if symptoms arise.

All actions to mitigate contagion and infection control are in place with enhanced cleaning continuing on our high touch areas. Affected tenants are currently isolated to their suite with tray service and symptoms monitored.

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to any member of the leadership team.  If you are looking to stay up to date on current COVID-19 information, I encourage you to look at the following resources.  They are concise, accurate and informative.

www.bccdc.ca

https://www.safecarebc.ca/

https://www.worksafebc.com/en/about-us/covid-19-updates

www.interiorhealth.ca

VISITATION INFORMATION

We still have not received any parameters in writing regarding the Designated Visitor Program. We continue to reach out and request further direction, however without any further information or documentation from the Interior Health Authority, we are continuing with ONLY Essential Visitors still at this time.

The current visitation parameters only limit who enters the building, however tenants and Complex Care residents are permitted to be picked up and taken out of the building for outings.

As of January 1, 2022, only Essential Visitors are allowed in our ENTIRE Kamloops Seniors Village Community including both Complex/Long Term Care & Assisted/Independent Living sides of the home.  The restriction will be in place until we hear new updates from Interior Health.

• As per the Interior Health Authority (IHA), all visits to our homewill be restricted to “essential visits” only. In this situation, IHA has defined “essential visits” as: visits for compassionate reasons (i.e.: end of life), or visits from care providers (who assist with essential Activities of Daily Living for our residents).
• The following are the same parameters directed by the Medical Health Officer during the early parts of the pandemic, therefore any existing essential visitors are permitted. The Local IHA Medical Health Officer or the KSV Director of Care/AL Clinical Lead will determine if any new visits/visitors are essential. Examples of essential visits include, but are not limited to:
  • Visits for compassionate care, including critical illness, palliative care, hospice care, end of life, and medical assistance in dying
  • Visits paramount to the patient/client’s physical care and mental well-being, including as follows:
    • Assistance with feeding, mobility, personal care or communication;
    • Assistance by designated representatives for persons with disabilities;
    • Visits for supported decision making;
    • Existing registered volunteers providing the services described above;
    • Visits required to move belonging in/out of a resident’s room;
    • Police, correctional officers and peace officers accompanying a patient/client for security reasons.

For Assisted & Independent Living Essential Visit requests, please contact Amy Suerink, AL Clinical Manager asuerink@retirementconcepts.com. For Complex Care Essential Visit requests, contact Deena Aspinall, Director of Care, daspinall@retirementconcepts.com.

Every visitor entering Kamloops Seniors Village will have a rapid test conducted per recent mandates by the Provincial Health Officer:

• Essential visitors will continue to be screened and provide proof of vaccination
• Medical Grade masks will continue to be handed out if needed
• We have set up an area in the main lobby for testing
• Essential visitors MUST wait the 15 minutes until results are ready prior to going to your family member’s suite; therefore please come at minimum 20 minutes early to be screened, tested, and wait for your results
• Long Term Care essential visitors will be provided Eye Protection by the screeners

We ask that you please be patient as we adapt to this new process. At times there may be need to have some visitors wait outside to allow social distancing in the entryway.

MASK REMINDERS

As directed by Interior Health, all visitors (ages 5 years and up) are now required to keep their mask on at ALL times while in the building, including while in their family member’s/friend’s private room, until further notice.

DESIGNATED VISITORS

In preparation of when designated social visits can resume, we wanted to be proactive & request that families please update Carollyn Anderson, KSV Admin Payroll Coordinator, canderson@retirementconcepts.com with your family’s member ONE designated visitor so it can be a seamless transition as possible.

For existing residents prior to July 2021, if the designated social visitor remains the same, please still send the information as we will not assume it’s the same person.

For new KSV residents/tenants/families after July 1, 2021, please email Carollyn with:

• the name, email & contact phone number of the ONE designated social visitor that can come in to see the resident/tenant
• Tenant/Resident Name + Room Number

Acknowledgements

We wish to thank families and loved ones in advance for their patience and cooperation as we manage through this event.  We will continue to keep you updated as new information is available.

Sincerely,

The KSV Team