Hello Everyone,
This is an important special update to advise you of the Ministry changes that will take effect on Friday March 31 2023.
Please be mindful that with these changes, brings a variety of feelings. Some people are very happy with the return to "normal" activities. Others feel that things are moving too quickly. There are also many who are generally concerned that the changes may result in a higher level of infection risk to their loved one. All of these feelings are valid and it is important that peoples feelings are respected.
Our residents will no longer have to have their temperature taken every day which I'm sure they will be happy about. In addition, the physical distancing that was required is no longer a requirement so signage for all rooms/spaces in the Home will be taken down. That said, being mindful of peoples personal space is a clear lesson that we all have learned during this pandemic.
We have become very accustomed to being greeted every time we come into the Home by our Screeners. For those of you who have only experienced life at JMPC during the Pandemic, some of these changes will seem very odd, but for those of us who have been around pre-covid, these changes are a return to many of our regular practices.
As always, our top priority is the safety of our residents and staff therefore our actions and decisions we are putting in place for Friday will reflect this.
Screening Questions
Commencing on Friday, you will review the screening questions independently. If you want to continue to check your temperature, feel free to do so. By entering the Home, you are confirming that you do not have any of the symptoms identified on the posted screening questions.
You will apply a mask that will be at the desk for you and then sign in at the table indicating the time of your arrival and who you are coming to see. Hand sanitizer is there at the table for you to use as well.
Swabbing
We will continue to have our swabbing area fully stocked and strongly encourage you to continue to swab. As we will not have screeners after Friday, you can choose to either wait the 15 minutes to confirm that you are negative, or alternatively, you can take the test strip with you and monitor it yourself. If, after 15 minutes, there are 2 lines (even if the second one is faint), then your test is positive. If you test positive, please notify the Charge Nurse immediately and exit the building. If your test has only one line, then your test is negative and you can discard the test strip.
I will point out that since February at JMPC alone, we have had 12 people who stated they had zero symptoms yet test positive for COVID on a rapid antigen test. That would have been 12 people who would have otherwise been walking / visiting in the Home. Again, the rapid antigen testing is no longer mandatory but is strongly recommended.
Masking Inside
Masks are required at all times that covers your mouth and nose. We have seen an increase this past week in individuals wearing their mask over their chin... this is entirely pointless. Wearing your mask while walking throughout the Home remains mandatory.
If you are in a residents room with only one resident, you can remove your mask. If a staff member or another resident enters the space, please ensure to put your mask back on.
If your loved one lives in a room that is shared with a roommate, then you must keep your mask on, but you could go and enjoy your visit in the Gibbard Dining Room without your mask on if it is not already booked by another family. The ministry has set out clear guidance that states that only one resident can be in a room when masks are not being worn. All common spaces in JMPC require masks to be worn at all times.
Masking Outside
Thankfully, the nicer weather is on its way. The Ministry now no longer requires essential caregivers or general visitors to mask while visiting with a resident outside.
Food and Drinks
Feel free to grab a cup of coffee/tea from the coffee bar on either floor and take it to the residents room to enjoy. The coffee room areas, lounges and all other pubic areas are not areas where Non-residents can consume their beverages/food.
There is no eating or drinking except in the residents room, or in the Gibbard Dining Rooms. There is a Gibbard Dining Room on each Home area that can be booked through reception. If you would like to book a Gibbard Dining Room, this room needs to be booked in advance Mon-Fri during business hours with Colleen at reception.
Please note: At this time, there are no meal tickets available for purchase.
Booking of the Library
If you wish to book the Library for a family gathering, please note that this space is considered a common area (open to all residents at all times) and therefore is not an area where you can consume food or drink at any time.
Visiting Hours
Visiting hours are from 9:00am - 9:00pm for both Designated essential caregivers and general visitors. You will be required to key in the following code 1234B to unlock the doors to enter and 1234B to unlock the door to exit. Please be very mindful to not let other residents out the door as you enter/exit.
If a resident is returning after 9:00pm to the Home, they will need to push the door bell (located beside the key pad). This door bell rings to the Team Leader wireless phone and they will come and open the door for the resident.
Outbreaks
Outbreaks, as always, are determined by KFLA Public Health. This includes respiratory, influenza, COVID, enteric etc. They provide recommendations and guidance as to how the outbreak is to be managed. Essential caregivers only are permitted when a Home area goes into outbreak. This reduction in foot traffic helps the Home area recover quicker and reduces opportunities for transmission of infection.
Vaccinations
The Ministry directives have changed regarding mandatory vaccinations however, it remains strongly recommended by the Ministry and KFLA Public Health that all persons remain up to date with their vaccination status. However, all persons, regardless of vaccination status may now enter the Home.
Animals
If you are bringing a pet into the Home, please ensure that you have provided their up to date vaccinations. If you have not yet done this, please provide to reception so that we can take a copy of this for our records.
Staff
In an effort to demonstrate our commitment and dedication to the important infection control practices at JMPC we will continue to swab every day we enter the Home. We will also maintain our clorox spray system on a regular basis as well as the monthly changes of our hepa filters in all of our HVAC units.
Hopefully this provides a clear understanding of our path forward. Your dedication and honesty in entering JMPC because you can confidently state that you pass the screening questions and are feeling well will make a significant impact on our ability to maintain a healthy environment within the Home.
Keep your mask on and your hand sanitizer close by,
Angela Malcolm
Director
