December 31-2020 Family Message Update

Happy New Year to you and yours. As 2020 ends and we look forward to 2021, we are feeling positive about the many things that are yet to come! We want to let you know that we have received information about the vaccination and we are working on the process. We will share with you all as soon as!

We want to say a heartfelt thank you to Renee and wish her all the best in her retirement. We will see her around once in a while but will certainly miss her daily.

MASK WEARING:

****Masks at workplaces and shared living areas****Please note that although as per PHO masks are not mandatory inside the building – we would hope you would use your discretion and keep yourself and others safe – this means – when you know you are going to be less than 6’ apart (elevator) wear a mask. We have to keep in mind that some residents have been going to outside appointments and meetings with families. We want to keep everyone safe –

It is strongly recommended that masks be worn in the following areas:

• Common areas including:
  • Elevators
  • Hallways
  • Lobbies
  • Stairwells
  • Dining/Eating areas/Bistro and Cafes

• Shared indoor workplace spaces, including:
  • Elevators
  • Kitchens
  • Hallways
  • Break rooms

WEEK OF JANUARY 5 – MAIN BUILDING – ELEVATORS:

As per the Technical Safety Standards in BC, they will be replacing the hoisting cables on both our elevators. It will take 2 days for each elevator. That means only 1 elevator will be in use all week. Please plan your day accordingly.

NEW ORDERS: EXTENDED UNTIL JANUARY 8^TH AT MIDNIGHT:

By order and direction of the Provincial Health Officer (PHO), all events and social gatherings are suspended to significantly reduce COVID-19 transmission related to social interactions and travel.

The order is in effect from November 19, 2020 at midnight to January 8, 2021 at midnight.

https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/emergency-preparedness-response-recovery/covid-19-provincial-support/restrictions

We encourage everyone to please read through Dr. Bonnie Henry’s new PHO orders that have been extended until midnight on January 8^th. What does that mean for us? Keep our bubbles small – and this means we strongly discourage ‘group’ outings in order to keep our staff and residents safe. IF you have a schedule visit – please ensure you are wearing a mask and keeping a 6’ social distance between you and your loved one. If family members show up without an appointment and/or just show up – please know we may ask you to leave if you are not following the orders.

Reminders for your loved-one to Stay Safe: Again, the following four points are so critical to discuss with your loved ones. Please help us by reminding each resident daily of the following four items:

1. Practice social distancing (6 feet apart)
2. Perform proper Hand Hygiene (Wash hands frequently for 20 seconds with the alcohol-based sanitizer or soap and hot water) 20 second or greater is so important.
3. Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth
4. If exhibiting any symptoms (fever, cough and difficulty breathing) please alert staff immediately.

Dropping items off: 

We would ask that families please follow these guidelines as I am sure you want your parent or loved-one to get their deliveries in a timely manner. All deliveries will be received at the front door. This includes groceries, medications, flowers, and gifts. All will be sanitized and delivered directly to the resident’s suites.

1. Please use plastic bags, no reusable bags
2. Make sure to label all bags with resident full name and room number
3. Try to limit drop offs to essential items. There are days when staff are overwhelmed trying to keep up
4. Please sanitize, if possible, the items before dropping off. We will re-sanitize as well to be safe
5. Please leave all items in between the 2 glass doors. Once you are back in your vehicle we will retrieve those items, re-sanitize and ensure your loved ones receive the items

Protocols 

Aside from the single visitor policy, we are following the direction of our public health officials and have full infection prevention and control precautions in place. Staff continue to monitor residents closely and are ensuring the following protocols are being adhered to:

• Restricting ALL visitors from the premises/only those who have been deemed essential may enter the building at this time
• Ensuring no staff member is working in multiple facilities
• Staff are screened for their temperature upon entrance to the building, and midway through their shift
• Social distancing is occurring among residents in each facility, including during mealtimes
• Ensuring ongoing, environmental cleaning and increased frequency of high touch surface cleaning in order to break the chain of infection
• Staff and residents are committed to regular/proper hand hygiene to break the chain of infection, and wash their hands with soap and water and apply hand sanitizer frequently.

Essential Visitors: These have all been contacted and updated in our system. ALL visitors have been approved to be on our property for the health and welfare of our residents. If you have any questions please ask Sharon

Designate Visitors:  If you are the designated visitor, prior to your visit please check in with yourself. If you are feeling unwell, have symptoms of COVID-19, or have been in contact with someone who has COVID-19 please call to cancel your appointment. Please note also, our bathroom facilities are not available to use during visits. We need to sanitize before and after the visit in the designated area. Thank you

Please note that all visitors are required to wear a medical mask when coming to visit their loved one. Cloth masks are no longer acceptable.  At this time, isolation gowns and gloves are NOT required. Our teams will be here to assist during your scheduled visit, should you have any questions. If you do not have a medical grade mask, one can be provided to you at the front desk when getting pre-screened.

A gentle reminder that our directives of one designated visitor remain the same throughout the Holiday season. You MUST have a scheduled visit. Please do not just show up without a time and date or you may be turned away. No food or beverages during the visit and please ensure you socially distance 6’. Our visitation area is available and the hours are below along with the email you must use in order to book your visit. Please do not call the front desk as we are trying to ensure everyone can get a visit and would like everyone wanting to book HOLIDAY visits to email below ONLY:

wel-familyvisits@retirementconcepts.com

https://vancouverisland.ctvnews.ca/b-c-announces-new-restrictions-on-social-gatherings-travel-provincewide-1.5196709

The social visit program:  ESSENTIAL VISITS/Designate and visit questions, please direct all your questions and bookings to our new email which is: wel-familyvisits@retirementconcepts.com. This email will be monitored by Sharon in Marketing as well as her assistant Sabrina. If you want to book an appointment and/or have questions, please do not hesitate to use this email for these ONLY. If you would like to call to book, you can still do that. *no food or drink are allowed during these visits***

VISITING:

Visits must be limited to 45 minutes maximum. Please familiarize yourself with our updated policies and procedures and thank you for your understanding and support in keeping everyone in our residence safe. Due to weather restrictions, we do have a new inside area to visit as well.

 ** Please note the change in time of visits due to meal times. 9-11 am, 1-4 pm, 6-7:45 pm

• Please do not visit if you are sick or have had contact with anyone who is sick.
• To minimize risk, any and all family visits at The Wellesley MUST be scheduled in advance.
• Only 1 designated visitor is permitted into visiting areas at a time.
• Anyone wishing to visit will be screened for signs and symptoms of illness – visitors may be denied access if there is failure to comply with protocols & regulations.
• Any and all family visitors must wear clean Medical Grade Masks for the entirety of the visit. If you do not have one, it will be provided. You must also adhere to all physical distancing and hand hygiene guidelines including coughing and sneezing etiquette.
• If you plan on visiting, please remember to adhere to physical distancing guidelines by utilizing the areas as directed. Please do not move any furniture in visiting areas.
• All disinfecting and sanitization will be completed by The Wellesley Team after your visit.
• Food & Beverages are not permitted during visits at this time.
• Visitors must leave facility directly after visiting Resident.
• NO visitors will be permitted at The Wellesley if an active outbreak is in progress (if you were scheduled, you will be informed).

Quadra Village Medical Centre – Dr. Behroozi has acquired some new residents and will continue to reach out to everyone individually who have expressed an interest in getting a new doctor. He is working with a few other local doctors, and we should have a plan in the New Year. Right now he makes his rounds on Thursdays. Any inquiries please see Sharon in her office or by email sunsworth@wcshm.com or by cell 250-514-5114.

Underground Parking: Due to some safety issues – we are asking all residents and staff to take a moment to wait until the door closes after exiting the parking garage. We want to ensure the safety of our residents and staff by following these guidelines

MOVE OUT Protocols:  Please reach out to Sharon should you have any questions about removal of furniture/movers and how we go about doing this to ensure the residents remain safe. We have been arranging one move out per day when needed and trying to assist families with what will work within their schedule. Please know that in both buildings, we do not want to interrupt their meal times, so move out times are 9-11 am, 1:30-4 pm. Please arrange with me so that we can alert the residents and put signs up. sunsworth@wcshm.com

Move Outs/Elevator in Main Building/AL Building: The 1^st elevator is utilized for move outs, and is locked for move outs. There is a note placed on the elevator as well. For your convenience we have asked all move outs to happen during the hours of 9-11 am and 1:30-4 so as not to disturb during meal time. Please be respective of the movers as they are following all protocol to get in and out in a timely manner. For the Assisted Living Building, we want to ensure that we are not disrupting meal times, so the same times apply.

Thank You,

#Team Wellesley