Dear Family and Friends of Tabor Home:
As you have heard in the daily provincial COVID-19 updates, the case count in BC is increasing and this is the same at Tabor Home. Unfortunately, there are currently 2 residents and 7 staff members who have tested positive for COVID-19. All staff and all residents are being swabbed to identify any other cases and help control the spread. Fraser Health public health nurses are working onsite this week to ensure enhanced infection control measures have been put in place. Together, we are taking steps to protect the health and safety of all staff, residents, and families.
Tabor Home has implemented a comprehensive outbreak infection control plan to respond to COVID-19. The outbreak management action plan includes:
- Staffing levels maintained to provide resident care.
- Visitors restricted except for compassionate visits for residents receiving end of life care.
- Staff and resident movement has been restricted to neighbourhood cohorts.
- Cleaning high touch contact surfaces and enhancing infection control measures.
- Communicating regularly with residents, families and staff on the outbreak status.
- Twice a day active screening of symptoms with staff and residents.
Working with Fraser Health, additional resources have been made available including clinical nurse educators, infection control experts, and access to emergency supplies and additional staff if needed.
The health and well-being of employees especially during the outbreak at Tabor Home is of paramount importance to me and to our leadership team. Staff members have risen to the occasion to provide compassionate and unparalleled care for those who need us the most. Why, because that is the Tabor way. It’s our legacy and it’s our tradition. Our community needs us and expects us to do so.
Be assured that the clinical leaders continue to review and ensure that every precaution is part of our outbreak infection control plan and will be adjusted as needed.
As a team focused on stopping the spread of the virus we have gotten to this point and together we will get through this. We have learned a great deal since the pandemic was declared a public health crisis at the beginning of this year and we have improved as an organization. Ultimately, we will emerge on the other side knowing, that we honoured our oath, that we did everything we could to serve vulnerable older persons, their families and for our fellow health care workers.
We thank health care workers for being safe and following infection control policies and protocols. This week, it has been uplifting to hear their stories of their heroism in how they have gone out of their way to serve others. The staff are taking care of themselves and their families. My thoughts and prayers are with them. They are all heroes.
As a family member, 2020 has not been the year any of us expected. Being separated from your family members at Tabor Home has caused undue hardships. No one gets to choose the health challenges that often accompany the aging journey, but we do get to choose how we care and support for older adults. That will be our legacy. Thank you for trusting us with the care of your family member and supporting you. During this outbreak we will always be here for you with a caring heart.
This week, the Seniors Advocate Isobel Mackenzie released a report where she shares findings of a five-week survey about the impact of COVID-19 has had related to visitor restrictions at long-term care and assisted living homes. The survey, answered by residents, their family members and the general public, had over 13,000 valid responses. Learn more about survey participant responses and the Seniors Advocate’s recommendations using the links below:
Please do not hesitate to reach out to me during the outbreak.
If you have any further questions or concerns, please contact:
Yours sincerely,
Dan Levitt, MSc., CHE
Executive Director
604-859-8715 ext. 102
