To Our Wellesley Extended Family

I just want to take a moment to thank the Residents, Staff, and Families for being so welcoming throughout my first week here at The Wellesley! I am looking forward to getting to know everyone even better. If we haven’t had a chance to meet, I will be doing my best to be out of my office and available to everyone in the coming weeks. I really enjoy feedback both positive and constructive, so that we know where to focus our energy. It also helps us celebrate all of the great work that is being done by everyone as we navigate the challenges we are facing.

One of the ways I’m looking to get to know everyone is by restarting our Afternoon Tea Time. I know that coming to the “Principals Office” is not the way some of our Residents would like to get to know me, so I will be in the lobby in the afternoons for Tea from 2:30 – 3:00 to make myself available for more casual chats with everyone. I’m a huge Golf Fan, so I have asked that I can get Afternoon Tee Times as well, but I’m still waiting on approvals from Head Office… I have a sneaky feeling it may not happen.

I am already getting lots of great questions about some of our ways of working, and I am working hard with the Team to get you answers. Over the course of the next couple of weeks we will be coming to you with more updates around things like Visiting, Expanded Recreation Programs, and the return of our Salon! I know people are excited for things to get up and running, and we are working as quickly as we can to get these programs in place as safely as possible.

As we go forward, I encourage everyone to feel free to reach out to me if you need anything at all.

Thank you all once again!

Steve Amyotte, General Manager

As you are aware, BC Health Minister Adrian Dix and BC Medical Health Officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry have announced changes to Assisted Living and Long-Term Care visitation guidelines. We are now in the midst of preparing a written safety plan to facilitate single designated visitors to single designated areas at Care Providing Sites. As soon as we have further information to share, we will do so as quickly as possible.

Stay Strong….Wellesley Strong

Community Update for Friday, July 10-2020, The Wellesley

 Please note: for the duration of the summer months, we have moved to a weekly family email update schedule.

 (if you wish to be removed from the emails, please let me know. The information is also posted on the webpage)

Protocols

The health and safety of our residents, their families and our staff are our number one priority and a responsibility that is taken very seriously. We continue to follow the direction of public health officials and other clinical experts regarding the best infection prevention and control measures to take to avoid transmission of the COVID-19 virus.

We fully appreciate how the steps we are taking may affect you and your loved ones. These are unprecedented times and we must do all that we can to maintain the safety of our residents and staff. Thank you for your understanding.

In spite of the fact that no residents are presenting COVID-19 signs or symptoms, we are continuing to restrict all visitors out of an abundance of caution. We know that continues to be an anxious period for residents, families and loved-ones – but we ask that everyone be respectful of this measure, for resident and staff safety.

Should the status of this facility change in any respect, please know that we will contact families immediately.

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:

• Ensuring no staff member is working in multiple facilities
• Staff are removing outside clothing and footwear upon entering the premises & changing into work clothes they have brought in their own sealed bag. At the end of their shift, taking off work clothes and putting on street clothing. All items are being sanitized and cleaned on a daily basis.
• 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
• Appropriate application and removal of personal protective equipment (PPE)
• Ensuring ongoing, environmental cleaning and increased frequency of high touch surfaces in order to break the chain of infection
• Staff and residents are committed to regular/proper hand hygiene to break the chain of infection, by washing their hands with soap and water and applying hand sanitizer.

ONLY ESSENTIAL VISITORS

We just want to remind everyone that as per Island Health Authority, only essential visitors are permitted at this time. Both Comfort Keepers and Home Instead have siloed our properties and ONLY workers here will remain here *no face to face with family or friends* Hairdressers are still not allowed to come into the community as per our phone call today, June 23^rd. We will await further Ministry guidelines and share them with you when they change.

All workers will be wearing gloves and masks

VISITING AS PER NEW GUIDELINES:

• We will be implementing a best practice for visitation as per Island Health guidelines
• 1 designated family member per resident is allowed
• Appointments must be made beforehand and will be directed to the designated outside area
• The hours available for visits will be: 9 am – 3 pm and 6-7:45 pm. These will be 45 min visits with 15 minutes allotted for sanitizing between visits.
• Each visitor will be pre-screened, temperature taken and sign in. You must use hand sanitizer and you must wear a mask. If you do not have a mask, one will be provided to you. You will then be directed to the visitation area
• Your loved one will meet you in our designated area in the patio area where you will have the opportunity to visit your loved one, while still socially distanced.
• These guidelines must be followed or we may have to take measures with your family member to keep them and the rest of the residents safe

 DELIVERIES:

All deliveries will be received at the front entrance between the glass doors. This includes groceries, medications, and gifts. All will be sanitized and delivered directly to the resident’s suites.

***If you would like to pick up your loved ones laundry we can arrange that, please call the front desk or email me to arrange***

Dropping items off: for families please follow these guidelines to ensure your parent or loved one to get their deliveries in a timely manner.

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.

Assisted Living Building/Dining Room

We are currently delivering all meals to individuals in their rooms. For lunch this delivery starts at approximately 11:00 and for dinner at 4:00. Our servers will be wearing gloves and a mask.  Due to Island Health Guidelines, we do not have the space in the dining room to practice the 6’ perimeter and social distance each table. We will let you know when these guidelines change.

Independent Living Building/Dining Room

We have social distanced the main dining room as well as making use of the Dogwood Room to extend. The tables are of 2s now and all odd suites eat their dinner at 4:30 and all even suites eat at 5:30. Although we understand this may not be the most ideal time, we hope you can understand the need to social distance everyone at this time. If residents prefer we can arrange to have their meal picked up as well.

General Store

We continue to have a good inventory within our General Store. However, we now have to limit requests we are receiving. It has become unmanageable trying to fill every single item that has been requested. Most common items requested by residents are in stock.

Activities & Recreation Department

We have been increasing one on one visits and afternoon socializing which includes walks in the garden or around the building. We can arrange skype calls as well so please call 250-419-6804 to speak to Renee or Stephanie. The phone tree has been a great success with resident council members and floor representatives that we are expanding that to our leadership team making calls as well. Stephanie and the team have been working diligently to sew the masks and the classes have been full! Please contact us for ‘Courtyard Visits’ schedule so we can maintain the social distance rule for visitors!

Messaging to discuss with your Loved Ones

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 seconds or great is so important
3. Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth
4. Stay in their room if you have fever, cough and difficulty breathing –

****PLEASE REMIND THEM TO CALL THE FRONT DESK AND LET THEM KNOW ANY SYMPTOMS THEY ARE HAVING SO WE CAN REPORT DAILY***

Thank you

Team Wellesley