Special Update: May 6, 2022

MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR

Hello Everyone,   It is Mother’s Day Weekend and we have had many discussions with KFLA Public Health around how best to ensure everyone’s safety but also recognizing the importance of this special day.

First, lets start with an update on our Outbreaks: Spring Meadow Update: As of this morning, there are 3 active cases. If there are no additional positive findings this area will come out of outbreak on May 13.   Cedar Grove Update: As of this morning, there are 5 active cases. If there are no additional positive findings this area will come out of outbreak on May 16.   We recognize that there are certainly pro’s and con’s to this collaborative decision but are hopeful that this compromise will provide comfort and joy to families wanting to be together but also balance for all to be safe, healthy and well. Unfortunately, for residents who are on isolation in their room, they will not be able to leave their room but can have a visit with one essential caregiver at a time who is fully up to date with their vaccinations.

Mother’s Day Weekend Only – Outbreak Home Areas: On Spring Meadow and Cedar Grove, where we are in outbreak, only one essential caregiver can visit with the resident at one time on the Home area.  However, for Mother’s Day weekend only, (Saturday and Sunday), residents who are not on isolation will be permitted to go out of the building to enjoy our garden areas at the front of the building, (front garden areas will be set up by end of day today) to spend time with their families (no limit on number of people who visit outside). I checked the weather and it appears as of right now to be a beautiful weekend especially on Sunday. Masks would need to be worn while outside on JMPC Property.    Please note, that only one designated essential caregiver can come up to the Home area to get the resident and take them outside/return them to their Home area.   Again, just for Mother’s Day weekend, another option available to you is, if you would rather take the resident off the property, you are welcome to do this also, however, we would ask that you keep your gathering size small and ensure anyone who is not feeling well, not be included in the visit. The best option to visit is definitely outside!   Mother’s Day Weekend – Non-Outbreak Home Areas: As always, we encourage you to keep your gatherings small and highly recommend the use of masks while off of the property. You are welcome to use our garden areas for your visit or consider some of the outdoor options listed later in this newsletter.   If you are unable to enter the building, we will have extra RSA staff on for the weekend to help facilitate as many outdoor visits and zoom calls as possible. Please get these booked ASAP today using our booking platform here. This is always a very busy weekend so please be patient with us.   Local Options to Spend time Outside: This is Springside Park in Napanee. It is located at  8460 2, Greater Napanee, ON. This is a wonderful location to take a walk on the paved walking path along the river and pause on a bench along the way while enjoying an ice-cream cone! (this is only a 5 minute drive from JMPC)

We also have some wonderful scenic drives across Lennox & Addington County that we have featured here before. The County’s GIS staff have put together six vehicle tours called “Explore the Routes! Touring” You can grab a paper map from the shelf right behind the screeners desk or just follow along on the website.  Each drive features a different duration, area of interest and special features are identified as you drive.  Click here for more information but don’t forget the ice-cream cone for your drive!

We have begun painting in Lilac Knoll this week in preparation for the move between Lilac Knoll and Orchard Trail. The new raised garden beds for the front balcony have been ordered and will be a great addition for the residents to grow their veggies and flowers. As promised we would like to offer tours to residents/ essential caregivers from Lilac Knoll who will be moving to the 2nd floor in Orchard Trail. Candice will be doing these tours as outlined below. Please call into reception to book a time slot that works best for you.

Have a great weekend and Happy Mother’s Day to all!   Angela Malcolm Director

Visiting a resident in an Outbreak Area or who is on Isolation These are long days for those impacted. A little pre-planning can help to ensure a successful visit and can provide some stimulation and engagement for the resident as well.  Here is an idea of a Memory Board. Memory boards are a great tool to stimulate conversation and provides an opportunity to reminisce in a very meaningful way.  This can be helpful when you or someone else comes to visit with a resident but can also be helpful for staff as they are interacting with the resident. Things you may want to include: Pictures that are labelled with people’s names and relationship to the person Picture of their pet(s) and their names.  Maps of where they were from with labels Picture of their house they grew up in. Fun facts about the resident Picture and description of their hobby

Do they like a certain type of music? – be sure to bring this in for the resident to enjoy.    Do they like a particular author? – grab them a book from Lennox & Addington County Library. You can check what they have available right here at this link.

SPRING CLEANING TIME

Just a reminder that this is a great time to take a look at your residents clothing and consider bringing in spring/summer clothing and remove the fall/winter clothing. If you require assistance with this task, please reach out to smckenny@lennox-addington.on.ca

Visitor Parking Spaces At the recommendation of Family Council who advocated for the installation of designated Visitor Parking Spots at JMPC. There are now 6 spaces identified for Visitors located in our East Parking lot. As has been the case already, there continues to be 4 accessible parking spots as well in this same parking lot.

We had a few rocks dropped off in response to our call out for some fresh garden artwork for our beautiful gardens at JMPC. If you know any little artists out there that would like to create some special rocks for our gardens, we would love to receive them. Please feel free to drop these off with the screeners at the front door. (or if you would like to add to any of our garden areas, please feel free to do that as well).