Good Afternoon,
While it is unnerving to hear about the increase in cases throughout B.C, including in the Island Health Authority, I am happy to report that no staff or residents/tenants are presenting with any signs or symptoms of COVID-19.
Visitation Update
If you have submitted the Visitor Application Form, designated visitors can now contact our visitation scheduler at ext 1125 for scheduling all social visitation appointments going forward.
We now have two visiting locations, and have doubled the number of visitation appointment available daily. We plan on gradually adding a third visitation location, tripling our visitation appointment in the coming weeks.
Please be aware that the site is required to have one designated visitor for all visits based on the BC Centre for Disease Control.
More information can be found at the BC Centre for Disease Control website link below.
“The visit with one designated family member or friend is part of a phased approach for the month of July. The guidelines will be reassessed in August to determine whether the policy can be expanded safely to include other family members or friends going forward, though there may be a limit to the number of visitors at a given time.” – BC Centre for Disease Control
If you are needing to cancel or rebook your visit, please give us as much notice as possible so we can try to fit someone else in that spot. Please send an email to Selkirk-familyvisits@retirementconcepts.com or via phone at local 1125. If families have questions regarding the visitations please contact Brian DelRay at local 1102, either he or another Selkirk Covid Committee member will contact you. We are asking those with scheduled visits to please not drop off items while visiting with your loved one, and to follow the guidelines as posted under “Deliveries” in this letter.
We received an email from Family Caregivers of BC regarding training that families and caregivers can take in hopes it will help everyone adhere to safe visitation procedures in these difficult times. Here is the link to information on how family/friend caregivers can access the program on the Family Caregivers website: https://www.familycaregiversbc.ca/community-resources/social-visitation-essentials-course/
Should the COVID-19 status of our community change in any respect, please know that we will immediately inform all resident’s and tenant’s families/most responsible person.
Selkirk Seniors Village is fortunate to have a COVID-19 Coach provided by the Island Health Authority. This coach is providing us with ongoing education and support, as well as being a great resource for all things COVID-19 related.
Transportation
It is vital for everyone’s safety that the requirements listed below are complied with. If you do not have a mask, we may be able to provide one if you are requiring to be in a car with your loved one.
| RESIDENT/TENANT | TRANSPORT SERVICE | DRIVER | ||
| 1) Be screened by the nurse or greeter prior to the trip and prior to returning to the floor 2) Comply with strict hand hygiene: Soap and water for at least 20 seconds (required when hands visibly soiled) and/or Hand sanitizer 3) Wear a surgical mask during transport 4) Comply with using transport as mechanism to get to/from medical appointments; must not ask transport to stop in between trips for social or other purposes (ie: cannot stop for coffee or to shop) | 1) Pre-screen calls to all passengers prior to transport 2) Must transport only 1 resident at a time, unless from same facility can transport up to 2 residents at a time maximizing distance seated 3) Seat the client and escort (if there is one) at the furthest distance from the driver in order to observe a 2 meter distance 4) If weather permits, keep the windows open to improve ventilation 5) Ensure vehicle is cleaned, with high touch surfaces (i.e: Drivers station, door handles, overhead grab bar, windows control buttons, lock buttons, seat locks, seat buckles/belts, seat backs, center console, arm rests, credit/debit machines) are being sanitized with appropriate disinfectant, prior to and after resident transfer. | 1) Self-Assess with BC COVID-19 Symptom Self-Assessment Tool prior to arriving at facility 2) Be screened by the greeter with the Island Health Screening Tool 3) Limit presence in patient care areas, ideally restricting driver to stay in lobby or outside unless resident requires stretcher (attempt to limit presence inside to <15 minutes; complying with physical distancing of 6 feet) 4) Comply with strict hand hygiene: Soap and water for at least 20 seconds (required when hands visibly soiled) and/or Hand sanitizer 5) Wear surgical mask when in contact with resident (including during the car ride) | ||
Protocols
We are following the direction of our public health officials to the letter, and have full infection prevention and control precautions in place. Staff continue to monitor residents closely and are ensuring the following protocols are being adhered to:
Recreation Program
Ice cream socials and cold sweet treats were making their way around the building last week, and I am sure more in the weeks to come. The weather has been beautiful, and our Recreation Team has taken advantage of the sunshine and have gone on many walks with our residents. Facetime and Skype calls continue to be a great success, allowing families from around the globe to connect. Please touch base with either Brian Del Raye, Recreation and Therapies Manager, or the recreation team if you would like to book a virtual visit: Brian- 250-940-1028 x1102, Rec Office- 250-940-1028 x1120, or via email at bdelraye@retirementconcepts.com or Selkirk-recreation@retirementconcepts.com.
We would like to remind families that on your loved ones birthday, our recreation team provides them with cake, and we have regular birthday celebrations here in our community. Families can contact recreation to set up FaceTime and/or Skype calls so you and your loved one can celebrate together.
Dining Room- Assisted Living
Our dining room is open for lunch and supper meals. It continues to remain closed outside of meal times. Tables are placed 6feet apart, and strict guidelines are in place. Some of the ways we are keeping tenants safe in the dining room include: No fabric table coverings/placemats, removal of shared salt and pepper shakers (individual packets being utilized), limiting how many are tenants seat at each table, asking tenants to keep to a maximum of 4 in the elevator, hand sanitization stations by dining room entrance and elevator, etc.
Dining Room- Complex Care
Social distancing is occurring and we are limiting tables to 2 residents per table. Staff are assisting residents with proper hand hygiene before and after meal times.
Assisted Living:
All deliveries will be received at the front door. All will be sanitized and delivered to the resident’s suites. A notice has been placed on each floor as well as in the elevator reminding tenants that we strongly encourage them to continue to have their groceries and supplies delivered, as seniors are high risk for COVID-19.
Dropping items off: We would ask that families please follow these guidelines to ensure your parent or loved one receives their deliveries.
Deliveries for Complex Care:
Many families have requested to drop off non-essential items such as gifts or food. We have heard you, and have come up with a process that will keep the residents safe, yet allow them to feel the love and connection receiving a gift from a loved one brings. This process will allow small deliveries of non-essential items to our residents and ensure their continued safety while allowing the volume of items delivered to be kept at a manageable level for our staff. Please see the process below:
Process
(Exceptions only on special occasions – Birthdays, Anniversaries, Etc.)
If you have any questions regarding this new non-essential item drop off structure, please reach out before you come to the facility with a delivery to Marta our Social Worker (ext.1158) or RN (1177) after hours.
Admissions and Transfers:
Admissions will be resumed following strict Ministry of Health guidelines and safety precautions (new admissions and residents returning from a hospital stay will have isolation precautions with staff wearing PPE)
Any resident that shows symptoms will be tested for COVID-19 without delay and put on isolation precautions. If the resident is positive, they will be assessed for transfer to a dedicated COVID-19 unit at the hospital for specialized treatment and to reduce risk of outbreak in the LTC home.
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 your loved one of the following:
Thank You
I hope everyone has a wonderful August long weekend and can spend some time in the sunshine. Thank you for your continued support and understanding. Take care and stay safe.