Hello Everyone!

Welcome to our latest updates at Kamloops Seniors Village! It’s beginning to feel a bit more like winter with cooler temperatures and flurries this week. It will be interesting if and when we will see the La Niña forecast here in the Interior. Time will only tell.

With the continuing increase in Covid 19 numbers, especially in the Lower Mainland and other health authorities, restrictions will remain in effect for our tenants and residents and families.  We will be continuing to follow the direction of our provincial Health Officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry, and our general NO VISITOR policy remains in place.

Visitor Policy Reminder

Per the BC Centre for Disease Control, and Provincial Health Order directive, there are currently two categories of visitors for Retirement Communities, Essential Visitors & Designated Visitors for Social Visits. Essential Visitors provide visits for compassionate care and/or are paramount to the patient/client’s physical care and mental well-being. The Health Authority or Facility staff will determine if a visit is essential. Whereas, Designated Visitors are for social occasion visits, and under these guidelines, each resident is permitted to have ONE designated visitor with bookings made in advance.

Please check out our most recent updates/changes:

• All visitors, staff, tenants and residents will be required to wear a medical grade mask while in Kamloops Seniors Village. The mask MUST be worn at all times and for the duration of your visit to the building, as well as the entirety of the 30 minute visits.
• The Provincial Health Officer directive further states persons living in other Health Authorities and provinces such as Northern Health, the Fraser Health and/or Coastal Health regions are required to remain in their home area, and not to travel in or out of their Health Authority. This has resulted in visits from out-of-town areas such as the Lower Mainland and Alberta being cancelled until at least February 5, 2021.
• The January 2021 Visit Schedule is underway and visits can still be scheduled every 7-10 days depending on availability. Our February 2021 Visit Schedule bookings will begin on January 15, 2021. Email is the preferred method for these reservations. Please submit designated visitor requests to Carollyn Anderson at canderson@retirementconcepts.com.  This person will be changed ONLY in cases of extreme emergency, or in the event that the family member lives in one of the restricted areas.
• Email Carollyn with requested date(s) for visitation which are filled on a ‘first come, first served’ basis and allow 72 hours for reply. A waitlist will be set up for cancellations.
• Should you need to cancel your visit, please let us know, as we have a waitlist for most dates
• We ask that our resident/tenant families give your very best effort in reducing community outings 14 days prior to your scheduled visit and be mindful & aware of your immediate bubble to keep your loved ones safe
• AND PLEASE NOTE: Should the community have any type of outbreak per the Health Authority, visits will cease immediately

You, as family members play a key role in the continuing success of this Visitation Plan.  As we all work together to closely follow Health Authority protocols, should any family member not adhere to the safety parameters that we have in place, they will be asked to leave.

Window Visits are continuing with the same following guidelines:

1. Please plan visits with a limit of up to 6 people (window Visits only)
2. No open windows, please use telephones
3. For all residents in Complex Care, window visits can still be safely scheduled and supported through the care staff.

COVID Vaccinations Update

We have been informed from the Interior Health Authority, that they will be coming to Kamloops Seniors Village within the next couple of weeks. The parameters of their visit is still being finalized. We will provide updates as soon as we get confirmation and further details.

Recreation Program

We are continuing to provide scheduled virtual visits for residents & tenants. Please reach out to Erica Buckingham, Recreation Manager by e-mail at ebuckingham@retirementconcepts.com or call 250.571.2958 to set up a time via Skype or FaceTime. We will be happy to confirm a date and time to connect you with your loved-one.

Deliveries and Drop-offs:

All deliveries will continue to be received at the front desk and will be sanitized, bagged and we will call the tenants to come and pick up their items right away.  Please ensure you label all items with name and room number to ensure all packages are received as quickly as possible.

Reminders for your loved one to Stay Safe:

Please help us by reminding each resident daily of the following four items:

1. Practice social/physical 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 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.

 We want to thank everyone for their cooperation and patience during these ever-changing circumstances.