Hello Everyone!

Welcome to our latest updates at Kamloops Seniors Village! We hope everyone survived the time change as we look ahead to the Official First Day of Spring this weekend! Spring is definitely in the air with sunny skies, chirping birds and some green grass beginning to appear!

With the continuing Covid 19 numbers, both locally and in other health authorities, restrictions will remain in effect for our tenants, 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.

Please be aware there are no changes in our visitor policies despite community vaccines until the Provincial Medical Health Officer modifies them. We will keep you updated on any changes to our policies as Dr. Bonnie Henry’s Medical Health Orders evolve in conjunction with the General Public’s Vaccination Plan.

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 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 Vancouver Island, Northern BC, the Lower Mainland and Alberta being cancelled until at least March 30, 2021.
• The March 2021 & April 2021 Visit Schedules are underway. Visits can still be scheduled every 7-10 days depending on availability. 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.
• The monthly schedule opens on the 15^th of each month for the following month. 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-

Our Independent & Assisting Living tenants are eligible for their second dose 4 months from the date of their first dose per the Province’s revised time frame. We will communicate further details to families and tenants closer to the dates when we are notified by the Health Authority.

 Recreation Program

The Tim Hortons’ “Tims For Good Campaign” made a pit stop today delivering coffee and donuts for all KSV Staff, Tenants, and Residents to uplift everyone’s spirits during these unprecedented times.

Our tenants and residents recently “Travelled to Ireland” & enjoyed St. Patrick’s Day Socials with Linda Fenrich & Shamrock Shakes! Our Culinary Team delighted our palettes with delicious Irish Stew, Chocolate Mint Brownies, and Corn Beef & Cabbage! The tenants and residents loved it!

Our Annual “Hatch a Chicken” Eggs arrived last week and are due to Hatch around April 1. We have 7 eggs in an incubator on display in our lobby! Our tenants, residents, staff and families are so happy to see them once again. It’s another sign that spring is just around the corner with the Official Day of Spring just days away!

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.

Complex Care Family Council

Kamloops Seniors Village’s Family Council is made available to Family Members of Complex Care residents. We invite new resident’s families to join the council, participate in the meeting, and provide a voice for your loved one! Meetings are held on the 4th Monday of every month via ZOOM during COVID, excluding December July and August. The Zoom link and minutes are sent out the week prior. The meetings are self-directed by the families with KSV Leadership present for support. The next meeting is this upcoming Monday, March 22 @ 10 AM. The Zoom link was sent out earlier this week to this same family email list. Please reach out to Cara Haughton chaughton@retirementconcepts.com  if you did not receive it. Ensure you look in your Junk Mail Inbox just in case.

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.

With Easter coming up, for floral deliveries, please ensure there are no LILIES in the arrangement for allergy precautions.

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 continued cooperation and patience during these ever-changing circumstances.