November 20, 2020

Hello everyone,

We are relieved to tell you that there are no current cases of COVID-19 in our residents or staff here at Maple Ridge Seniors Village.

We are so thankful to each and every one of you.  Your support has been tremendous as we make the necessary changes to alleviate the risk of exposure to COVID-19.

We continue to follow the direction of our Public Health officials to the letter and have full infection prevention and control precautions in place. Our staff and Screeners have been educated on the current Public Health requirements, and will ensure the following protocols are being adhered to in order to keep our community safe.  We must enforce a minimum of two meters of safe physical distance between staff, clients and visitors, including in hallways and all communal areas.

As communicated on November 17^th, we have made some temporary changes to our visitation guidelines.  COVID-19 cases have increased in the Fraser Valley and we need to do everything absolutely necessary to stop the virus from entering our building.  Following along with Dr. Bonnie Henry’s current Public Health Officer order, the below guidelines will be in effect from November 19^th at midnight to December 7^th at midnight.

Social Visits

 In person visits inside the community are on hold.  We highly encourage that you utilize our virtual options and stay home for your upcoming visits.

If you still wish to see your loved one face-to-face, we will be facilitating window visits.  The visiting area is in our Courtyard and is covered from the elements.  However, we understand the season has changed and it is cold outside.  We have heating pads available and are purchasing an outdoor heater to keep you warm during your visit.  Why visit in the cold?  Because you can bring the whole family!  (Those in your immediate household, of course.)  We have no restrictions on the number of people who come for a window visit.  Bundle up and we will do our best to keep you warm.  This also allows the opportunity to anyone that is not a designated visitor to come see their loved one.

If you wish to schedule a window visit, or have any questions at all about visitations, please contact our Recreation Team at mrsv-recreation@retirementconcepts.com.

Essential Visits

Essential visitors are those who are allowed to come and visit the resident daily because they play an essential role in the daily care and/or well-being of the resident.

For example, Essential Visits should be provided when:

• Clinical indicators are demonstrating a decline in function that can be attributed to the absence of the visitor
• Replacement of visitor by staff results in harm to resident’s/tenant’s physical care and/or mental well-being
• Resident/tenant requires assistance by a visitor to support essential decision making

If you have been designated as an Essential Visitor, you can continue your visits.  Please monitor your own symptoms and don’t come into the building if you are sick.  The Screener will provide you with all PPE upon your arrival.  You must wear a medical-grade mask, face shield and gown for the entire visit.

Spouse Visits

We have several spouses of residents in our Residential Care who reside in our Independent Living/Assisted Living building.   These residents can continue to visit their spouse in Residential Care.  However, if they choose to continue these in-person visits they cannot be coming and going from MRSV, and then also visiting their spouse in Residential Care.  We ask that they do not engage in outside social visits or attend appointments off site.

Outside Visits

 Independent Living and Assisted Living

Residents can engage in social and external activities that are aligned with general public health guidance.   Recommendations are to avoid large gatherings and stay away from other people who are ill. A gentle reminder that everyone should maintain safe physical distance at all times and wear a mask when in enclosed spaces such as transit or stores where safe physical distances cannot be maintained.

At Maple Ridge Seniors Village we strongly recommend all residents follow the current Public Health Officer order on limiting social interactions.  The order is in effect from November 19, 2020 at midnight to December 7, 2020 at midnight.

All residents, please do not visit in the home of a family member or friend at this time.

For more detailed information on the current PHO order please visit the Government of BC website:  https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/emergency-preparedness-response-recovery/covid-19-provincial-support/restrictions#pho-order

Residential Care

Residents are advised to limit their external activities and outside appointments to essential only (i.e. medically necessary).

Connecting Families

 Our team is dedicated in ensuring our residents are able to connect to their families and loved ones.  We are happy to assist with virtual visits via FaceTime, Skype, Messenger, and WeChat and we can arrange for phone calls with your loved ones.

If you have a request, or something that is needed to assist a resident, please let us know.  Our Team at MRSV is here and we are stepping it up to help our residents in the absence of regular visits from their family and friends.  Please let us know in advance if there is a little task you need assistance with.

For more information contact Kim Knudsen, Manager of Recreation & Volunteer Services at kknudsen@retirementconcepts.com or call 604-476-4320.

Deliveries

 All deliveries will be received at the Screener desk. This includes groceries, medications, and gifts. All items will be sanitized and delivered directly to the resident’s suite.

Dropping off items

We would ask that families please follow these guidelines to ensure your parent or loved one receives their delivery in a timely manner:

1. Please use plastic bags, no reusable bags
2. Label all bags clearly with resident name and room number
3. Please try to limit drop offs to essential items. There are days when staff are overwhelmed trying to keep up.

Meals

 For our meal services, we are pleased to say that all dining rooms remain open at this time.

Our kitchen staff are continuing to offer choices in meal preferences.  If a resident is in isolation, we have been taking their meal order by phone, and delivering to their suite.  Everyone – staff and residents alike – are doing a fabulous job at keeping everyone safe.

Charity Committee

 Did you know that we have a resident Charity Committee at MRSV?  This Committee of dedicated members meets monthly to plan upcoming fundraisers and selects which local charity or organization to focus on next.  Each month they run a 50/50 draw with proceeds going to the selected charity.  In October $87.50 was raised for Foundry Ridge Meadows.  This is a program run by Ridge Meadows Community Services for Youth and Young People struggling with mental health.

November’s charity is the Christmas Haven.  This year the Christmas Haven is arranging a drive up & delivery Christmas dinner on December 24^th.  For more details see:  https://www.christmashaven.ca/

Welcome

 We would like to introduce to all of you, Kristine Hipol, our new Director of Care.  Kristine started yesterday at MRSV and brings to our team a wealth of experience and clinical knowledge.  Most recently Kristine held the role of Director of Health and Wellness at the Whitecliff Retirement Residence in South Surrey.  Please join us in welcoming Kristine to our team!

 Once again, A BIG THANK YOU to everyone for working so hard to keep us safe and healthy, as well as for the kindness, understanding and support you share.

Stay safe everyone.

Sincerely,

The MRSV Leadership Team