June 25, 2021

Dear family and friends of our residents at White Rock Seniors Village

For Independent Living visitors, you will no longer have to make appointments to visit however we need you to come between 7:00 am and 6:30 pm and continue to enter through the screening door. Visitations will be open 7 days a week (Long term care visitors must continue to make appointments by calling or emailing our visitation coordinators using the contact information listed below.)

For all of our residents and their families, although our dining room is air conditioned, with the hot weather coming this weekend, please consider dropping off a fan or portable air conditioner for your loved ones suites as an extra cooling idea!

We ask that all staff, contractors and visitors continue to self-monitor for symptoms and not come in if they are ill or have been exposed to Covid-19 in your household or the community.

Severe signs of illness requiring immediate medical care include a high body temperature, confusion, hallucinations, and lack of coordination, seizures, or a loss of consciousness.

Older adults are especially sensitive to the health effects of heat, particularly those with pre-existing conditions or who take certain medications. Please ensure residents/ tenants have a way to stay cool and offer frequent drinks/ water all through the day; this is the best way to prevent heat-related illnesses.

Identifying who is at risk

Everyone is at risk of heat-illnesses during extreme temperatures; however, certain population groups such as the following are at higher risk:

• Older people, infants and young children
• People with chronic illnesses (such as breathing difficulties, heart conditions, or psychiatric illnesses) and people on certain medications (including some psychiatric medication)
• People who work or exercise in the heat

Signs and symptoms

Heat-related illness is the result of the body gaining heat faster than it can cool itself down. It can lead to weakness, disorientation, exhaustion. In severe cases, it can lead to heatstroke, which is a medical emergency. It can also lead to worsening of heart or lung conditions.

What should I do during a heat alert?

1. Check the latest heat alert information and weather forecast.
2. Pay close attention to how residents are feeling and watch for signs of heat illness.
3. Offer residents plenty of water (jugs of water should be visible in possible to serve as a visual reminder re the need to hydrate).
4. Keep residents cool:

• Make sure they are dressed for the weather with loose fitting and light–colored clothing made of breathable fabric.
• Keep the building cool by using shades or blinds to block the sun and opening windows at night to let cooler air in if the building is not air conditioned.
• If the building is hot: Give residents a break from the heat by ensuring they spend a few hours in a cool place like our air conditioned lounges and dining rooms or outside in the shade).
• Use water to help residents cool off. § Reschedule outdoor activities to cooler times of the day and avoid sun exposure when outside.

5. Remind staff to drink fluids through their shifts.

Stay safe and healthy through this heat wave everyone!

Congratulations everyone for advancing into Phase 2! Let’s continue onto Phase 3 by remaining diligent and encouraging our friends and families to get vaccinated.

Check the government website for more information.

https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/covid-19/info/restart

At White Rock seniors Village, we continue to follow existing safety plans as advised by Work safe BC and Fraser health.

We ask that all staff, contractors and visitors continue to self-monitor for symptoms and not come in if they are ill or have been exposed to Covid-19 in your household or the community.

If in doubt call Public Health at 811 and go get tested. All visits would be postponed until after testing results come back negative.

Helpful information

• If you have not yet had your first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine and wish to get vaccinated, please register at the Get Vaccinated website
• If you have received your first dose at WRSV and haven’t yet been contacted to book your second dose, you must register as soon as possible
• Once registered, you will be notified via text or email that you can book your vaccine appointment

Register now for COVID-19 vaccines at http://www.gov.bc.ca/getvaccinated  which is the fastest way for you to register.

If you are unable to register online, please call 1-833-838-2323

Visitation continues and our residents are enjoying the socialization!   All long term care visitors must book an appointment by emailing

WRSV-familyvisits@retirementconcepts.com or calling 604-541-4663 ext. 215

From the White Rock Seniors Village Team