December 15, 2020

Dear Families of Summerland Seniors Village Residents;

As you are aware, Covid-19 infections are everywhere, and the Okanagan is no different.  Sadly it has started to affect a number of seniors communities in both Penticton and Summerland.

Currently two Summerland Seniors Village LPNs are being tested for Covid-19.

As a result, out of an abundance of caution, we have decided to put in place a number of protocols with the goal of protecting our residents as best we can.

We have closed the dining room to reduce contact, and asked our residents to isolate themselves in their rooms, where dinners will be provided by tray service.

We are grouping our staff into cohorts, responsible for designated areas of our Community.  This means a specific set of staff will care for the same small group of residents, and not be exposed to the entire residence.  This reduced contact provides increased protection to your loved ones.

Unfortunately, we must also cancel all family visitations and pause any recreation or social activities.  Unless essential, we ask all residents to cancel any outside appointments.

We have notified Interior Health – our licensing body – and await their guidance, which will then be communicated to you.

We will also begin a Daily Communication Update which will be posted to the Community Update Section of our Website after it is sent out to you.  If you have other family or friends who would like to be updated, please feel free to direct them to www.retirementconcepts.com

Should either of the LPNs test positive, we will enact additional protocols to contact trace their exposure to other staff and residents, and to further protect and care for our residents as well as our staff.

We would like to thank you in advance for all for your understanding, patience and support.

Please know that the care and safety of residents is our number one priority, and that we treat this situation very seriously.  If you would like any additional information on your family member, please contact Christy Baker at ___cbaker@retirementconcepts.com___

Communication

If you would like to send cards, letters, pictures photos and notes, we would be happy to deliver them.  Hearing from family or friends right now would bring a smile, and reduce the stress your loved ones may be experiencing as we and they adjust to this situation.

We ask that you remain patient.  We may not be able to answer your calls or emails right way as our staff are focused on the safe care of our residents.

We encourage you to book a virtual visit (Face time or Skype) or arrange a phone call to keep connected with your loved ones.  We will do whatever we can to facilitate this, as it is very important and meaningful to keep in touch.  Please contact us at   _250-404-4311___ by phone and _jberrisford@retirementconcepts.com_ by email.

Deliveries

All deliveries continue to be received.  All items are sanitized and delivered directly to the resident’s suites.

When dropping items off, we ask families to please follow the guidelines below in order to ensure that your loved one gets their deliveries in a timely manner:

1. Please use plastic bags, not reusable bags;
2. Please label all bags with resident’s name and room number;
3. Please limit drop-offs to essential items; and
4. If sending food or drinks, please send single serve disposable items, but no homemade food or fruit please.  Please do not send food that need to be refrigerated.

Teamwork 

We wish to thank staff, residents and families for their cooperation and understanding as we move through this.

Sincerely

The Summerland Seniors Village Team