Hello Everyone!

Once again, we are happy and thankful to report NO RESIDENTS or staff are presenting COVID-19 signs or symptoms at Rosemary Heights Seniors Village.

As the Province proceeds toward Phase 3 (https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2020HLTH0211-001207)  there is a lot of excitement and anticipation about having visits at our home. Please note that we continue to follow the direction of our provincial Health Officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry, and our NO VISITOR policy will remain in place.

Everyone should have received an email with information for these visits and instructions on how to apply for one last week. The process is the same for both the Assisted Living and the Complex Care.  For all the families that have booked visits for this week or next, please send your next visits requests to the email address below.

The Leadership Team/Emergency Response Team have been working collectively on a safe plan to allow families back into our home for visits, and following is a list of important community considerations:

• Visits will commence on Tues July 21 and will be limited to 3 days a week for now
• Each tenant and/or resident will be allotted one assigned family member for their visitations.   We will be ensuring everyone that lives here has an opportunity to have a visit before we schedule follow up visits.
• To request  visit times/dates email this address  rhsv-familyvisits@retirementconcepts.com with requested date(s) for visitation and allow 72 hours for reply. Keep in mind that we will initially hold monthly visits only in order to accommodate everyone.  We will honor requests on a “first come, first served” basis after we have met that goal.  We will be keeping a Wait list in case there are any cancellations.  Please include your contact telephone number in the email.
• All visitors will be required to bring a mask and wear for the duration of the visit
• Please arrive a maximum of 5 minutes before visitation appointment to complete pre-screening requirements
• Outside visits will be held “weather permitting”. They may be changed to an indoor visit if we have enough staff and space to accommodate.
• Visits will be 30 minutes and will not be able to accommodate extended times. Please adhere to social distancing and sanitization protocol at all times.  Do not bring items for your loved one to your visit.
• We ask that our resident/tenant families give your best effort in reducing community outings 14 days prior to your scheduled visit.
• AND PLEASE NOTE: Should the community have any type of outbreak, visits will cease immediately

While we begin Stage 1 of our Visitation Plan, we are proceeding very cautiously.  Depending on the success of Stage 1, we will move to Stage 2 which will include increasing the amount of daily visits/visitors.  You, as family members play a key role in the success of this plan.  As we all work together toward successful visits, should any family member not adhere to the safety parameters that we have in place, you will be asked to leave and escorted out immediately and may affect future visits.

Prevention Protocols

We are continuing to follow the direction of our public health officials and have infection prevention and control precautions in place.

• No visitor restrictions are still in place
• Ensuring no staff member is working in multiple designated healthcare facilities
• Staff are screened for symptoms and have temperature checked upon entrance to the building
• Residents are regularly checked for symptoms
• Physical distancing is being promoted and re-enforced among residents, including during mealtimes
• Appropriate application and removal of personal protective equipment (PPE) and disinfecting of equipment
• Enhanced environmental cleaning and increased frequency of disinfecting high touch surfaces
• Regular hand hygiene with increased audits

Should the status of Rosemary Heights change in any respect, please know we will contact families immediately.

Please note; we will be sending the update every Monday, and we welcome you to share this with all your other family members and can also be viewed at: https://www.retirementconcepts.com/covid-19-updates

We are encouraging family members and loved ones to still connect with your family member via telephone call, or FACETIME or SKYPE. Please reach out to Jaylene, our Recreation Manager, by e-mail at jsmillie@retirementconcepts.com or call her at (778) 545-5000 ext 1007 to set up a schedule.

We continue to ask everyone to be respectful of this measure as it is for resident and staff safety. At NO time is visiting in our main door way or outside an option. Even if physical distancing and PPE is used. The Public Health Officer in BC is stating we still need to have these measures in place.

You will be asked to leave immediately if these precautionary measures are not followed. Thank you for your understanding and helping put your family members and our staff’s health and safety first.

Deliveries and Drop-offs:

All deliveries will be sanitized and delivered directly to the resident’s suites.   Delivery times are below

Monday-Friday 10am-2pm, and Saturday 1-3pm only, closed to all Sunday deliveries:

1. Please use plastic bags, no reusable bags.
2. Make sure to label all bags with resident name and room number.  No heavy deliveries
3. Try to limit drop offs to essential items – as we are inundated with drop-offs.

Please do not drop off items after hours, we do not have staff to be able to accept it and may be left outside until the designated time listed, if you do, you will be taking your chances & we will not be responsible for anything that is left after hours.

Reminders for your loved one to Stay Safe:

Again, the following four points are so critical to discuss with your loved ones. Please help us by reminding each resident daily of the following four items:

1. Practice social 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 second 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.

I know it will be a big relief to many to be able to participate in scheduled visits with their loved ones in the weeks to come. This has been an extremely difficult time, and everyone at Rosemary Heights wants to say how much we appreciate your kindness, cooperation, and support through it all.

Stay Safe, stay calm, & stay kind,

– Your team at Rosemary Heights Seniors Village (RHSV)