Hello Everyone:
We hope you are all staying safe and healthy!
NO RESIDENTS are presenting COVID-19 signs or symptoms at Monterey Seniors Village. However, we recognize that this is an anxious time for you and your families, and we hope that by continuing to send out updates, we can provide some reassurance to you on the care of your loved-one.
Community Update
Spring has sprung here at Monterey! We are currently underway cleaning and organizing our outside areas for everyone to enjoy. In the coming weeks, we will be opening our patio and gazebo areas as additional visitation areas for residents and families. Please look for more details to follow.
Recreation April Highlights:
Arts & Crafts – This month we have 3 unique and creative egg decorating opportunities.
Men’s Group – We are really looking forward to connecting with our gentlemen and are starting a Men’s group on all 3 floors. We plan on reminiscing about work, family and past leisure pursuits. We will also have some fun playing cards, mini golf putting and having a cold beer and pretzels while answering past sports trivia questions.
Memory Box – An exploration of fashion, family life and travel. Using various objects from the past, conversation and stories come to life for the group facilitated by our Recreation staff.
Sunday Devotional – We will extend Easter wishes and prayers to family member and friends during our Sunday Devotional, held on each floor.
Car Bingo – We will give this a try on our Scenic Drives this month. Prizes will be awarded for the person who checks the most object off on their card.
Resident and Family Council Meeting – Tues April 27th at 2:30 – 3:30pm on our Lower 1st floor.
Happy Hour – Every Wednesday 2:00 – 3:00pm. We serve both alcoholic and non-alcoholic Wine & Beer. Drink tickets are $4, Ginger Beer is $2 Pop and a treat are free. The last Wednesday of the month we celebrate our Resident Birthday.
If you would like any additional information on our Recreation programs, activities and events please contact our Therapeutic Recreation Manager Doris K at (403) 568 – 3105 or email: dkruger@retirementconcepts.com
Easter Weekend Menu
Good Friday – Friday April 2, 2021
We will be serving hot cross buns at breakfast time.
Easter Sunday – Sunday April 4, 2021
Our lunch menu will include: Turkey loaf, mashed potatoes, turnips & yams and a special dessert
Easter Monday April 5, 2021
Our lunch menu will include: Baked ham, scalloped potatoes and Brussel sprouts
New Rapid Antigen Testing of Staff
The Alberta government announced it was expanding its rapid testing program to include asymptomatic staff at continuing care facilities. Rapid testing has now started as of March 8th at our community.
What does this mean?
The Government of Alberta is mandating that all continuing care communities not in COVID-19 Outbreak offer this new program. This screening test for COVID-19 is for staff with no signs of illness. The intent is to detect COVID-19 sooner and to hopefully limit the spread of this infection.
Once a week all staff working will be offered a rapid test prior to starting work. Unlike regular COVID-19 tests, rapid tests only take 15 minutes for the results to display. Any staff who tests positive from a rapid test will be required to immediately self-isolate and will be sent for a standard test to confirm.
We believe rapid testing will help identify asymptomatic carriers faster than ever. This will lead to less exposure for everyone, which is a critical step on our path back to normal
Visitation Information
At this time we are only allowing essential family/support persons, as per Dr. Hinshaw’s recommendations. We continue to discourage non-essential community outings with residents at this time.
To ensure residents and family can stay connected during this time, we continue to offer scheduled virtual visits. Please contact our recreation department at montereylifestyles@retirementconcepts.com or 403-568-3105 to book an appointment.
Our efforts to keep our community free of COVID-19 remains as strong as ever. We know that through your support and shared commitment to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and adherence to these new visitor restrictions, we are doing all we can to protect our residents from the spread of the virus.
Essential Visitation Process and Protocols
Visiting hours at Monterey Seniors Village are between 8:00 am–8:00 pm daily, seven (7) days per week.
All essential visits can be reserved by calling Monterey reception at least 24-hours prior, at 403-207-2929 to book your visit. Unfortunately we cannot accept walk-ins unless it is of an urgent nature.
A reservation is not required if you would like to take your loved one offsite for an appointment or other essential reason, although community outings with residents are strongly discouraged at this time. Please be aware that all protocols are still in effect when offsite such as full screening, social distancing, continuous masking, not touching your face and hand hygiene. If a visit is longer than 24 hours, your loved one will be required to self-isolate for two weeks for precautionary reasons.
Protocols
We continue to ensure ongoing deep cleaning and sanitization of the entire community, with additional housekeeping staff in all areas of the building, and enhanced cleaning in high touch areas. We will continue to act upon the latest advice of public health officials and adapt our operations as necessary and recommended, to reduce the risk of infection and transmission as much as possible.
Communication
Please know that should the condition of any resident change, their family will be notified immediately.