Updated for the week of December 9, 2022
MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR
Hello Everyone,

Have you seen the kind gifts we have been receiving at JMPC since our last newsletter. Last week, Dahlia May Flower Farm, located in Stockdale organized a community giving opportunity and so many people have stepped up to be a part of this meaningful gesture. This farm set a goal to donate 6000 Red Kalanchoe plants in a ceramic pot complete with a hand crafted Holiday card from students to residents in a Long Term Care Home. As of Dec 5 they had 1501 plants left to have sponsored and delivered. JB Print donated the printing of the postcards for each plant, Enbridge Gas is looking after many of the deliveries along with several chapters of local Rotary clubs to help with the deliveries and then classrooms of children from all over the community have made cards for each gift bag! Dahlia May Farm put a call out for sponsors of the plants to just cover the costs and then the Farm put them all together. Was definitely a wonderful gift for all of the residents to receive.
We also received 25 big beautiful poinsettia plants delivered to us from MyFM to decorate throughout the Home. These plants were sponsored by local businesses and organizations. They have really added to the festive feeling throughout the Home.
Family Gathering:
We have included some tips for those thinking of taking their loved one out over the Holidays. Check this out later in the newsletter for some tips to help things go smoothly.

Visitor Policy:
We have made some changes to our Visitor policy after consulting with our Resident and Family Councils. We do have a small number of individuals who have residents living in JMPC who have made the personal choice not to be vaccinated. Throughout this pandemic they have not been permitted into the Home to visit their loved one. Their visits have all occurred outside of the Home. With the cold winter weather here we want to ensure we can balance safety, risk and quality of life for all persons entering the Home and for residents and staff within the Home. Effective immediately, designated essential caregivers (form and IPAC Education (found later in this newsletter) is required in advance to become designated) who are not vaccinated will be permitted to enter the Home following all of the same surveillance protocols and screening. They will need to pre-book their visit during the available time frames using our online booking platform through picktime and confine their visit to MacDonald Hall only which is located on the first floor. If you have any further questions about this, please reach out to the Manager who oversees the RHA your loved one is from. 

Room Booking: 
We have had a few requests from families wishing to book the Gibbard Family Dining Rooms (located on each Home area) for non-food/drink get togethers. These rooms can hold 3 people plus the resident. They can be booked by calling Colleen at reception (Mon-Fri business hours) who can make the arrangements for you. Another area that can be booked through Colleen at reception, is the Library located on the second floor. Again, this would be for a non-food/drink gathering. The library can hold up to 8 people plus the resident. The library booking is contingent on availability as we do run some resident programs in this space. Please reach out to Colleen Monday – Friday for assistance (ext 7221)
 
I would welcome any suggestions or feedback as to the content, value of information shared, ideas you would like included in future newsletters etc.

The next newsletter will come out on Thursday December 22.

Chat soon,
 
Angela Malcolm
Director   
Infection Prevention and Control from the desk of
Emily Sarley RN,
IPAC LEAD
Respiratory season continues to be in full force, including COVID-19, Influenza A and RSV. KFL&A region has begun to see a gradual decline in respiratory related illnesses in the younger population under 17, although there is a steady rate of respiratory infections occurring in adults and senior population over the past couple of weeks. For the week of November 27, 2022 – December 3, 2022, there has been 23 influenza outbreaks identified in Ontario, which is considerably higher from the previous week. Nationally there has been a sharp increase in Influenza activity and are above historic averages.

Things to remember over the holiday season:
  1. Have hand sanitizer on hand, and wash your hands.
  2. Mask wearing in public places is encouraged to mitigate risk of transmission.
  3. If you are sick, stay home until symptoms are resolved. If entering JMPC, you are unable to enter the home 10 days from positive COVID-19 result or symptom onset.
  4. Get vaccinated – Vaccination provides protection to yourself to minimize the risk of severe complications.
Please feel free to contact Emily Sarley, JMPC IPAC Lead,
if you have any questions related to IPAC.
613-354-3306 Ext. 7227
The Bivalent Booster Dose that can be used for 3rd, 4th or 5th dose of COVID-19 Vaccine has improved coverage for the omicron variant.
IPAC Education for Designated Essential Caregivers
IPAC Education that is required for all Designated Essential Caregivers
With the roll out of the new Fixing Long Term Care Act, we are required to provide specific IPAC related education to our Essential Caregivers. We also need to be able to demonstrate that we have provided the education and that everyone has participated / received it and that it met your needs as it relates to IPAC knowledge. With that said, here is a Youtube link of an educational video prepared by Public Health that covers all the required content.
 

Once you have watched the video, we will need you to complete the quiz found at the survey monkey link here in order to obtain / maintain your essential caregiver status:

 
As always, we are happy to help you with this if you are struggling to access the link or would prefer to complete a hard copy. 
 
Please reach out to the screener when you come and they will be happy to help you out. Alternatively, you can reach out to your manager point of contact and they can assist you prior to your visit as well. This is a Ministry requirement.​
CHRISTMAS FOR THOSE LIVING WITH DEMENTIA
 
Are you finding it difficult to decide if you should take your loved one home to celebrate Christmas, or if you should celebrate with them at JMPC? It’s not always an easy decision to make as there are many variables to consider.
 
Here are some suggestions to consider when deciding which option is best for your loved one.

CELEBRATING AT JMPC 
Ask yourself:
  • Would your loved one recognize or remember the home they would be visiting? Would the change in environment increase their confusion and cause distress?
  • Would celebrating at JMPC, which is currently the most familiar setting to the resident, be more ideal? Could you participate in holiday activities planned for the resident in their familiar environment?
  • If you have multiple family members who wish to visit, could you arrange for a few family members to drop in on different days? Large groups may be overwhelming for your loved one with dementia.

TAKING YOUR LOVED ONE HOME
Think about:
  • Hosting a small gathering and keeping celebrations quiet and relaxed.
  • Determining the best time of day to plan a gathering for your loved one with dementia as this will help to keep their daily routines in place as much as possible.
  • Providing a quiet place so your loved one can have some time alone or a quiet place to visit with one person at a time.
  • Planning meaningful activities such as reading a favorite holiday story, looking at photo albums, watching a favorite holiday movie or singing songs. This will help to trigger happy memories of past Christmas celebrations.
  • Ensuring outings are brief and establish a place for your loved one to rest or take a break.

However you choose to celebrate Christmas with your loved one, make sure you enjoy every minute. Merry Christmas!
Menu for the week
  • Here is the week’s menu for December 12 to December 18
Programs for the Week
  • Here is the week’s program schedule from December 11 to December 17 for across the Home.
The link to the program calendar and menu is updated each week for you.
Door Decorating
It has become an annual tradition at JMPC that staff decorate the doors around the Home. I would encourage you to walk around the Home and check out the talent and creative decorating that has occurred….
These are helpful Educational Guides that were created by a group of people living with dementia and their care partners. We thought we would feature a different guide moving forward in our newsletter.
 
So far we have featured 5 educational guides with you. Next one is …..
 
Living Safely
This guide is part of the partnership series - it is written both people living with dementia and care partners, for people living with dementia and care partners. It offers many safety tips and strategies related to driving, living at home, being out in the community, personal identification and use of technology, health and medication, physical safety, and financial safety. To access guide, click here     
Important Reminder
Please remember there is no eating or drinking inside the building by our essential caregivers or general visitors.
 
Eating and enjoying a tea/coffee together is permitted
in outdoor areas only of the Home
Absences from the Home
All residents (unless they are isolating), regardless of their vaccination status can go on social, day and overnight absences.
  
If a resident has a known exposure to a case while on their absence, please inform the Home ASAP. This timely notification will help us ensure the safety of all residents that may be affected (ie tablemates, roommates, etc) 
Resident Home Areas -
Who to call when you have Questions?
These Resident Home area extensions below will take you to the Charge Nurse who is the RPN on your persons floor.
 
The RPN is a great person to connect with if you have questions related to medications, health status updates, or general resident centered information. 
This is the best person to start with. 
 
If they are unable to answer your question, they will be able to direct you as to
where to go next.
 
The RN Team Leader extension is an option if you are having difficulty accessing your respective home area or have further concerns.
 
If following speaking with the RN Team Leader, you continue to have questions or concerns, please reach out to
 
Emily Sarley RN who is the Assistant Manager of Nursing (ext 7227) or Carol Corcoran RN who is the Manager of Nursing (ext 7226).
Manager Point of Contact
For general inquiries related to COVID restrictions, overnight absences or to send your vaccination information:
(For absences please contact the charge nurse as outlined above)
Message from the Chair of Family Council
The Family Council minutes are posted on the board at the front entrance and outside of Orchard Trail Home area. 

The next Family Council meeting is scheduled for January 10 at 2pm.

Please feel free to reach out to Norman if you have questions or would like more information about Family Council.
 
Norman Ploeg
Around the Home
Making snowmen using baking soda and water!
Christmas Crafts and Virtual Reality
Have you noticed our yarn wrapped trees around the Home
that we made?
Who doesn’t love a bowl full of chips!
Dahlia May Flower Farm Donation
Each Resident received a flower, hand-made card and note pad.
Pinky the baby pig and Gracie the goat are always a big hit!!!
Making yarn wrapped trees together
Christmas Movie time and Colouring
Montessori Activities help residents to feel independent and useful. 
Making hand-made Christmas cards
Hot Chocolate and Cookie Time!
General Visitors
(must have at least 2 Covid vaccination doses)
ZOOM Visits
Zoom is a great way to connect with your loved one.   
 It allows you to see each other while talking together.
Book your Zoom Visits online using Picktime! We ask that visits be scheduled a day ahead, and that weekend requests are completed by Friday at 2pm. For zoom visits, you will receive a confirmation email first. Then, 1 day prior to your zoom visit you will receive the zoom link emailed to you from the Home. 

Please book your Zoom visit using this link: https://www.picktime.com/JMPC  
If you have any questions or unable to access this online tool, please call 613-354-3306 and someone will help you Mon-Fri during business hours. 

Need to Cancel your ZOOM?  
The booking site doesn’t have that feature to cancel yourself online unfortunately. So to cancel an appointment: Please contact Colleen. Please email her at cyork@lennox-addington.on.ca or call her at reception during business hours(main line) 
Essential Caregiver Designation
Essential Caregivers (who are designated by the resident/POA) must submit this form and be fully vaccinated (3 doses) to be approved as an essential caregiver. In the event that COVID restrictions are changed, it will be important to have this essential caregiver designation in place in advance as it is difficult to predict the restrictions that we may be directed to implement.
 
Residents are permitted to designate as many Essential Caregivers as they wish.

NON Vaccinated Essential Caregiver (who are designated by the resident/POA) must submit this form and complete the required IPAC education to be approved as an essential caregiver. 
NOTE: Non Vaccinated Essential Caregivers are not permitted to visit if their loved one is on isolation themselves or their Home area is in outbreak.
 
Changing Designated Essential Caregivers:
Changes in essential caregivers would be considered by the Home in very limited circumstances.
 
Should the resident/POA wish to change/add an essential caregiver, a new form will need to be submitted and await the approval process.
Designated Essential Caregivers
3 COVID-19 Vaccinations - Designated Essential Caregivers:
(It is highly recommended you keep fully up to date with your COVID-19 vaccinations)
  • Posted room occupancy limits still apply. (ie residents rooms have a capacity of 3 plus the resident)
  • There is no limit to the number of people per resident at one time for outdoor visits.
  • A rapid antigen test is required for indoor visits only.
  • Rapid antigen testing is required every day you enter inclusive of the 15 min wait time for the results.
Available times for this testing are as follows:
9:15am – 12pm; 1:00 – 4:30pm; 5:45-7:00pm
  • The screening questions must be answered each time you enter including taking your temperature.
  • Medical Grade Masks must be worn at all times when visiting indoor. NEW exception: If you are in a residents room with only the resident you are visiting you can remove your mask. At all other times, your mask must be on.
  • Consumption of food /drink on the outside premises only.
  • Monthly education requirements:
  • How to put on PPE - https://www.publichealthontario.ca/en/videos/ipac-fullppe-on 
  • How to Hand Rub - How to Hand Rub | Public Health Ontario  

Non Vaccinated Designated Essential Caregiver:
  • Must pre-book their visit using our online booking platform picktime. If you are experiencing any difficulty please call reception Mon- Fri during business hours.
  • Must stay in MacDonald Hall for duration of visit. (staff will bring resident and return resident to their home area)
  • A rapid antigen test is required for indoor visits only.
  • Rapid antigen testing is required every day you enter inclusive of the 15 min wait time for the results.
Available times for this testing are as follows:
9:15am – 12pm; 1:00 – 4:30pm; 5:45-7:00pm
  • The screening questions must be answered each time you enter including taking your temperature.
  • Medical Grade Masks must be worn at all times when visiting indoor. NEW exception: If you are in a residents room with only the resident you are visiting you can remove your mask. At all other times, your mask must be on.
  • Consumption of food /drink on the outside premises only.
  • Monthly education requirements:
  • How to put on PPE - https://www.publichealthontario.ca/en/videos/ipac-fullppe-on 
  • How to Hand Rub - How to Hand Rub | Public Health Ontario  

Not Yet a Designated Essential Caregiver:
  • All requests to be a designated essential caregiver must show proof of a minimum of 3 COVID-19 vaccinations before they will be approved. 
  • Advanced completion of the IPAC education is required prior to approval of this designation. 
 
Window /Outdoor Visits: 
We do support window/outdoor visits for those not wanting to enter the Home. These window/outdoor visits will occur in one of the MacDonald Hall non-opening front windows or under the covered patio at the front of the building only. This visit will need to be pre-booked using our online booking platform that you can find here.  https://www.picktime.com/JMPC
  
NOTE: Individuals coming for an outdoor visit must still go through the screening process (no rapid antigen test) prior to the visit.
Educational Resources
you are Welcome to Check Out
Infection Prevention and Control Educational Resources
 Continue to educate yourself with IPAC (infection prevention and control) best practices to keep yourself and your person safe.
Below are links for IPAC education for healthcare workers and essential caregivers.
 
 
Dementia Educational Resources
What is Dementia?
The term "dementia" doesn't actually refer to one, specific disease. Rather, it's an overall term for a set of symptoms that are caused by disorders affecting the brain.

5 tips for communicating with people living with dementia

Montessori approach for Dementia

What are hallucinations and delusions?
Hallucinations and delusions are symptoms of Alzheimer's disease and other dementias. With hallucinations or delusions, people do not experience things as they really are.
Connect with us on your socials
Things to Do across Lennox & Addington County
Below are some interesting opportunities if you are looking for something to do in the area. Click HERE and it will take you directly to the items below:
Forms That You May Require
  • Paper Copies of the Weekly Newsletter – Available at the Resource Centre right behind the screeners. 
  • Essential Caregiver Designation Form – Click here
  • Essential Caregiver Form Non Vaccinated - Click here
External Health Resources
Step by step video on “How to book a window, zoom and garden visit online”: https://1drv.ms/v/s!ApuSaYTZPHmmgVPq1RIryBmiSoC2
Healthcare Resources & Adaptive Clothing
We have had a number of enquiries from families regarding trying to access various external services for their loved one. 
 
Dental Services from an onsite Dentist - Multigen
Contact Sheena Berry-Wilson to set up an appointment
1-877-459-3273 ext 2004
Fax: 1-866-257-5813
Consent form for this service can be found here

Dental Hygiene Services: 
Roving Dental Hygiene – Karen De Luca RDH – 613-770-3801
Modern Care Dental Hygiene – (613) 449-4838 or info@mcdh.ca  

Hearing Services:
Miracle Ear - Scott Laidman, Reg AHIP – 613-354-7223
Hear Right Canada – Tammy Powell – 613 308 9338 (she will come into JMPC)
 
Foot Care Services:
Donna Chandu-Lall – 613-329-4914
Jennifer Morris – 613-329-0271
Gerrie Plaizier – 613-329-3182
 
These are privately based on a fee for service . 
 
Feel free to reach out to them if this is something of interest to you.
Adaptive/Accessible Clothing

Here are some Canadian Options for your shopping enjoyment:
Where Dragons Fly
Perth, Ontario 
(613) 466-0215 
Geri Fashions
1-800-361-4374
EasyWear Adaptive Clothing Inc.
Cambridge, ON
1-888-908-7177
Resources & Contacts
  
Ministry of Long Term Care Family Support and Action Line 
1-866-434-0144  
This line is available to raise concerns or ask questions related to LTC homes across Ontario and is staffed seven days a week from 8:30am – 7:00pm
The person who answers the call will take your name and contact information, ask a few questions on the issue, and forward this to an inspector for follow-up.
The complainant will hear back from the Ministry within two business days.
 
OR

Write to the Ministry at
Director
Long-Term Care Inspections Branch
Long-Term Care Operations Division
119 King St W, 11th Floor
Hamilton, ON L8P 4Y7
 
OR
 
If the complainant has already contacted the home directly and the Long-Term Care Family Support and Action Line and was not able to reach a satisfactory resolution,
they can contact the Patient Ombudsman.
 
Contact the Patient Ombudsman
1-888-321-0339 toll free
1-416-597-0339 (Toronto)
1 416-597-5371 (TTY)
 
JMPC CONTACTS
  • Angela Malcolm, Director (Ext. 7222)
  • Carol Corcoran, Manager of Nursing (Ext. 7226)
  • Emily Sarley, Assistant Manager of Nursing (Ext. 7227)
  • Carolyn McConnell, RAI Supervisor (Ext. 7259)
  • Amanda Sparkes, Resident Services Coordinator (Ext. 7223)
  • Shane McKenny, Environmental Services Supervisor (Ext. 7230) 
  • Dawn Black, Food Services Supervisor (Ext. 7228)
  • Hilary Rock, Dietitian/P.T. Food Services Supervisor (Ext. 7229)
  • Bobbie-Joe Blackburn, Administrative Supervisor (Ext. 7224)
  • Michelle Hickey, Behavioural Support Nurse (Ext. 7237)