Best Wishes for the New Year!

December 30, 2020

Hi everyone!  As are you, everyone here at NSV is looking forward to the close of 2020 and a new beginning in 2021.

A few updates, Island Health sent our staff us a link so they can make arrangements for the CoVid vaccine.  Staff are scheduled for their vaccines as early as January 6^th.  An email was received today from Timothy Orr, Interim Executive Director Long-term Care & Assisted Living – Island Health – in part:

“There is a lot of planning happening around the vaccine roll-out and if all goes well we should have significant numbers of staff and residents with the first dose by the end of Jan.  Then by end of Feb our risk of outbreak should be reduced.  Please keep a look out for a communication related to the COVID vaccination program for residents that will roll out to all LTC homes in January. We need some information from you so please get back to us as soon as you can.  Staff vaccinations are in progress in the south island and will soon be available across the island. We are prioritizing higher risk sites so when you get an email asking your staff to register for vaccination. Please encourage your staff to respond.  We need to be vigilant for another couple months and we are doing the prevention audits to be able to help sites ensure we continue with low rates of outbreaks”.

Please note NSV sent information today to Island Health regarding Essential Visitors and we are awaiting email so we can send Island Health the information they need to schedule a vaccine clinic for residents of NSV.  We will keep everyone informed of any updates through this email.

We have had a lot of questions about visitors wanting to see their loved ones.  We are encouraging Essential and Designated Visitors to connect with other family members via facetime and skype during their visits.  Instructions will be written out and provided by the Screeners.

We are doing our very best to improve service and quality of life.  We are asking that everyone do their part in order to keep the Residents safe.  Please ensure you are limiting your risk of exposure by keeping interactions within your core bubble.  Visitors please note that parking is limited.  We are unable to allow access to enter at the back of the building so staff and visitors are required to walk around the building to the front entrance for screening.  Please allow yourself plenty of time prior to your visit.  Please see the attached diagram with the green arrows for ways to access the front entrance.

As a reminder, smoking is not permitted anywhere on the NSV property.   We are adhering to strict protocols, you will be required to wear the face mask provided to you, which must be worn at all times during the duration of your visit.  Please ensure that you are going directly to and from your visit.

Please ensure you self -screen prior to attending at https://bc.thrive.health/covid19/en

If you are ill or not feeling well please cancel your visit and stay home.  We can arrange for a face time visit instead.

Visits are set up for one designated family member following this process:

• Family member will meet our reception staff at the front door of the appropriate building.
• We will need to record your temperature and you will be required to sign in and answer some pre-screened questions.
• A medical grade mask will be provided for each visitor, and all visitors are asked to sanitize your hands.
• You will need to wear the face mask provided and you will directed to your loved ones room.
• In order to reduce exposure risks by asking that you enter and exit point A to point B. Please do not enter any of the common areas for the Residents.

If you are the Designated Visitor for anyone in Long Term Care:

• Call 250-760-2444 or email nsv-familyvisits@retirementconcepts.com
• When you hear the main greeting, please press 7.
• You will be directed to the new mailbox where you can leave a message.  Please remember to state your name, whom you wish to visit and a phone number where you can be reached.

****After your visit you will exit the LTC facility by entering 1199#

For family wanting to visit loved ones in the Assisted Living please contact Reception A/L 250-760-2321 between 7:30 am – 4:30 pm (new reception hours)

There will be no changes for families wanting to visit loved ones in Palliative Care.

Concerns can be sent directly to the General Manager who will assist you with resolution. tdouglas@retirementconcepts.com

• Facetime/skype sessions for out of town please contact nsvrecreation@retirementconcepts.com  or call 250-760-2616 for LTC and for Assisted Living, they can call Recreation at 250-760-2515 to book an appointment.

Thank you everyone and stay safe,

The Leadership Team at Nanaimo Seniors’ Village