February 12-2021 Family Message Update

Happy Chinese New Year! We spent time as a team decorating our beautiful community on Tuesday so that we were prepared for Chinese New Year as well as Valentine’s Day. A lot of crafts were included and the Recreation team has been working hard on some new programs – specifically the Ukulele! Please also know that we do have our screening table available daily from 11-3 and all other times, the front desk can assist.  Glenda our amazing ZUMBA queen brought in treats for her class this week – thank you!!! Thank you to all you, the residents for making everyday special.

 BREAKING NEWS: Vaccinations in independent living

EngAge BC has just received confirmation that independent living residents and staff will receive COVID-19 vaccinations in phase two of the vaccine’s rollout (subject to supply). As such, it is expected that vaccines could begin to roll out in independent living as early as the beginning of March. This timing will coincide with the vaccination of home health employees.

As you know, this has been a significant focus of EngAge BC’s advocacy over the last few months. We are pleased that this decision has been made and that measures are being taken to protect those living and working in independent living settings.

We do not have logistical information to share at this time but will be in touch should that change. We have offered to assist the Ministry in any way we can.

We offer our apologies to those of you who have already received this message.

Members who have questions should contact Rebecca Frederick, Senior Manager, EngAge BC at rebecca@engageseniors.ca.

Assisted Living DINING ROOM AND GROUP SETTINGS:

The Assisted Living Building is currently getting tray service. We are hoping with the roll out of the 2^nd vaccine clinic coming in the next month that we will be able to re-open the dining room. We want to respect the Provincial guidelines with having everyone 6’ apart, and right now we do not have the room in the Assisted Living Building to accommodate that even with 2 seatings at lunch and dinner. Connie will let us know when that changes.

We are also following the group settings and the Recreation team will be reaching out to you in the coming days to discuss sign ups for various activities and what has been allowed.

COVID Vaccine Update

We are waiting to hear back from Island Health when the 2^nd Clinic will be for those in the Assisted Living that have had their first vaccination on January 24^th. The window is 42 days, and we have been told the cutoff day is by March 7^th. We will relay the actual date as soon as we know in the way we did it before. Both Sabrina and myself will be delivering the memo door to door. As for our Independent Living residents, we are hopeful to have a date for the first phase sometime in March but again we have had no confirmation of a date as of yet.

MONTHLY Hearing Aide Pickups:

Please drop your hearing aides off at the front desk with Sheryl by Thursday morning am so NEXGEN can pick them up and return same day. Any questions – please see Sabrina

Family and Friend Referrals to the Wellesley (see attached)

We are pleased to let you know about our referral program for present tenants at The Wellesley.

“A referral payment by way of a discount on your monthly rental for one time only is to be paid out to a resident referral source for a valid client that moves into the community. The prospect must sign a rental agreement and be living in the community for a period of a minimum of three months to qualify.”

Please speak to Sharon, the Community Relations Manager, for more details

BC Recovery Benefits

https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/economic-recovery/recovery-benefit

We have had a few of our tenants asking about the BC Recovery Benefit. Please follow the link above to determine if your loved one here at Casa Loma and Comox Valley Seniors Village qualify.

How the benefit works

The BC Recovery Benefit (the benefit) is a one-time direct deposit payment for eligible families, single parents or individuals. Benefit eligibility is based on net income from your 2019 tax return. You must apply to receive the benefit.

Individuals

• $500 for eligible individuals with a net income of up to $62,500
• Reduced benefit amount for eligible individuals with a net income of up to $87,500

Using 2019 income tax data

As with the B.C. Emergency Benefit for Workers, in order to prevent fraudulent claims, applicants must provide 2019 income tax data to receive the benefit.

British Columbians need support now, and if the benefit relied on 2020 income tax data, payment wouldn’t be possible until approximately fall 2021.

Determine your eligibility

Generally, the benefit is available to people:

• Who are residents of B.C. on December 18, 2020
• Who are at least 19 years old on December 18, 2020, or meet specific eligibility criteria
• Who filed a 2019 Canadian personal income tax return, or meet specific eligibility criteria
• Who have a valid social insurance number, individual tax number or temporary tax number

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. An Essential Visitor is deemed through careful consideration with our partnership with Island Health and us as the operators. We are trying to assist all requests and follow the provincial guidelines of what an essential visitor is. If you feel you fall under these guidelines as set out below, please contact Sharon as we have a form that needs to be filled out and submitted. Thank you.

Visits made by a family member or friend of a resident Only one designated family member or friend may visit. All visitors must wear a mask, clean hands before and after visiting (using soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizer) and maintain a distance of two metres from others

* Essential visits are limited to one visitor at a time. For palliative and end-of-life care, more than one visitor may be allowed at a time. Assistance with feeding, mobility and personal care. Communication assistance and supported decision-making for people with disabilities or cognitive impairment.

Designate Visitors:  ***IF YOU HAVE A FAMILY MEMBER that has not filled out the Designate form yet – please email snutchey@retirementconcepts.com ***

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. You MUST have a scheduled visit. Please do not j 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

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.

Assisted Living ROOFTOP:  Our constructions teams and our maintenance manager Joe will be in and out of the building in the coming months. Please know they are following all protocol. We are hopeful that our amazing rooftop will be completed soon but for now, the 5^th floor is not accessible. If you have any questions in regards to this please let us know.

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