COVID-19 Prevention Plan Update - June 5, 2020
Wecontinue to remain safe and COVID-19 free. Our continued, collective efforts are working. Thank you.
We know that it is hard for families to be separateddue to COVID-19 prevention and control measures. These measures, including essential visitorrestrictions, are critical in protecting the health of our residents, who aremost vulnerable to COVID-19. Thank youfor your consideration.
Items to share since last week’s update:
- As of June 1, 2020, vacant suites in our independent and seniors’ supportive housing are again available for rental. In late March, KinVillage temporarily suspended accepting new tenants into these suites to help slow the spread of COVID-19 in our community and to protect our applicants, tenants, partners, and staff. KinVillage follows BC Housing’s pandemic safety guidelines and procedures including COVID-19 precautions such as mandatory personal protective equipment, physical distancing and regular cleaning. For move-ins, new guidelines describe how to safely show vacant suites and conduct sign-up appointments. The health and well-being of our staff and tenants continues to be our primary focus.
- Visitor restrictions continue – there is no change at this time.
- Visitors are not allowed in the Care Home or Assisted Living Residence except one essential adult visitor who passes screening and is visiting a resident for compassionate reasons (i.e. a resident who is actively dying).
- We continue to encourage safe visits via the windows/glass doors of West Court (maintaining physical distance), balconies of South Court, through FaceTime, WhatsApp and other technologies. Just a reminder that virtual visits/FaceTime/ window visits at West Court are limited to 15 minutes. This allows others to have time with their loved ones as well. Please refer to previous Updates to learn how you can visit remotely using technology or through windows, and balconies. Thank you!
- Visitors are still allowed in North and Vidal Courts though asked to please not visit if they are experiencing any respiratory symptoms.
- Just a reminder as of Monday May 25, families are now able to drop off food (non-perishable) and essential personal care items to residents living in West Court - Care Home. We ask family members to follow these best practice measures in order to minimize the spread of COVID-19 virus:
- Family member experiencing a cough, fever, shortness of breath, other respiratory symptoms, GI Symptoms OR believe to have been exposed to COVID-19 please do not drop off items until fully recovered.
- Items can be dropped off in the large grey bin located at the front entrance of West Court Monday to Friday from 10am to 3pm, the bin will be checked every couple of hours during these times.
- All items must be placed in a large Ziplock bag and clearly labelled with the resident’s name and date. A staff member will wipe the outside of the bag, and set aside for 48 hours before giving to the resident.
- Items allowed are any essential items including toiletries and non-perishable food with a long shelf life that does not require refrigeration.
- All essential care items (e.g. soap, lotions, toothpaste etc.) must be new.
- Clothing delivered will be laundered onsite and labeled before issuing to resident.
- Potted plants and flowers are allowed ONLY FOR SPECIAL OCCASIONS. Staff will disinfect the exterior surface (plastic wrapping, or container).
- Weekly deliveries for Assisted Living residents of essential items only (e.g. breakfast and personal care items) remain unchanged with the exception that potted plants and flowers are now allowed ONLY FOR SPECIAL OCCASIONS.
We continue toactively screen anyone entering the Care Home and Assisted Living residence,including all staff twice daily. Residents are closely monitored for any symptoms including feverindicating possible infection. Testingis done promptly for anyone who has symptoms.
Thankyou for continuing to do all you can to stop the threat of COVID-19.
Sincere thanks this week to ourcommunity: Anyone who is sending notes of thanksthat we can post for our staff as well as all those in the community who “makesome noise” for health care workers at 7 pm each evening. You lift our spirits!
p.s. If you would like to donate supplies, food orother items, please check with us first to ensure that there are norestrictions and that we will be able to accept your gift. Please contact Sue Satterthwaite,
Communications& Executive Assistant at 604-943-0155 x238 or ssatterthwaite@kinvillage.org.
InformationSources & Communication
Care Home - Resident Families: If you have notalready added your e-mail address to our contact file, please call 604-943-0155 ext. 221. In the event of a COVID-19 outbreak, KinVillage will providea daily information release via e-mail and via internal postings.
Care Home -Resident Information - For regular inquiries about resident care,please continue to contact nursing staff. If there is a change in a resident’shealth status, the Primary Contact will be notified by the nurse, as per ournormal procedure.
Care Home – Connecting with Residents (Skype, Facetime, WhatsApp)
Bettina Salini - DirectorWellness: 604-943-0155 ext 250 or bsalini@kinvillage.org
Care Home – General Issues or Concerns
Nadine Brown - Director of Care: 604-943-0155 ext 226 or nbrown@kinvillage.org
Assisted Living
General concerns:
Carol Howard - Director ofHousing: 604-943-4805 ext 401 or choward@kinvillage.org
Clinical concerns:
Assisted Living Nurse: 604-943-4805 ext412
General Concerns
Cynthia Langenberg - Director ofHealth Services: 604-943-0155 ext 232 or clangenberg@kinvillage.org
Donna Ellis – CEO: 604-306-2775 or dellis@kinvillage.org
Sources ofAdditional Information:
We recommend thefollowing links for current, accurate updates on the extent of the COVID-19situation in our province.
www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/coronavirus-(novel)
www.News.gov.bc.ca – MinistryUpdates
www.healthlink.bc.ca - HealthLinkBC