KinVillage COVID-19 Prevention Plan Update - July 3, 2020
We remain safe and COVID-19 free. Great job everyone! Keep up the good work. Thank you.
We must continue to be diligent in following best practice measures. Measures include: maintaining physical distancing (2 meters), active screening of staff and anyone coming into and leaving West Court and South Court buildings, vigilant monitoring of residents for any symptoms indicating possible infection, visitor restrictions, staying away from others if you are unwell and/or displaying symptoms such as coughing, fever, diarrhea, vomiting etc., washing your hands frequently, practicing proper cough etiquette, wearing personal protective equipment where appropriate such as masks and eye protection, and daily enhanced cleaning in all of our buildings by the housekeeping team. Thank you for your continued efforts!
Just a couple of items to share since last week’s update:
Visitors
Since the middle of March, visits with residents have been restricted due to the threat of CVOID-19. On June 30 we heard from Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry and Minister of Health Adrian Dix, that there will be increased opportunities for family/social visits with residents of care homes and assisted living residences.
In order to allow visits as outlined by Dr. Henry, we must first have in place a detailed, written plan that describes how we will meet the practice requirements and established criteria to ensure safety for residents, visitors and staff. This plan will include for example location(s) for visits that support physical distancing practices, a process for booking visits in advance, appropriate staffing to screen and assist visitors with infection prevention control practices, and how the single designated visitor for each resident will be identified.
As Dr. Henry indicated, we need to move slowly and cautiously. We are now beginning to develop the plans and resources to ensure safe visits and will provide further information within the next couple of weeks.
Thank you for helping us keep KinVillage COVID-19 free to date and for your patience as we thoughtfully prepare to welcome residents’ visitors.
For more information on how you can help: https://www.safecarebc.ca/2020/06/30/charting-a-course-for-safe-visitation-in-long-term-care/
In the meantime, visits:
- For West Court residents: bookings for all glass door visits will go through the Unit Clerk desk. All virtual connection bookings will continue to go through the Director of Wellness.
- Glass Door bookings
Families will contact the Unit Clerk desk to book a glass door visit.
By phone at 604 943-0155 ext. 221 or email ch-reception@kinvillage.org;
Mon – Fri from 9:00 am – 4:45pm.
- Virtual Connection bookings
Families will continue to contact the Director of Wellness at 604 943-0155 ext. 250 or by email bsalini@kinvillage.org. Monday – Friday.
Assisted Living
Residents in seniors’ assisted living facilities are now able to participate in social and external activities that are aligned with general public health guidance. Residents should protect themselves by avoiding large gatherings, staying away from people who are ill, maintaining safe physical distance and wearing a non-medical mask when in enclosed spaces such as transit or stores where safe physical distances cannot be maintained.
Sincere thanks this week to our community: Anyone who is sending notes of thanks that we can post for our staff as well as all those in the community who “make some noise” for health care workers at 7 pm each evening. You lift our spirits!
p.s. If you would like to donate supplies, food or other items, please check with us first to ensure that there are no restrictions 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.
Information Sources & Communication
Care Home - Resident Families: If you have not already 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 provide a 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’s health status, the Primary Contact will be notified by the nurse, as per our normal procedure.
Care Home – Connecting with Residents (Skype, Facetime, WhatsApp)
Bettina Salini - Director Wellness: 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 of Housing: 604-943-4805 ext 401 or choward@kinvillage.org
Clinical concerns:
Assisted Living Nurse: 604-943-4805 ext 412
General Concerns
Cynthia Langenberg - Director of Health Services: 604-943-0155 ext 232 or clangenberg@kinvillage.org
Donna Ellis – CEO: 604-306-2775 or dellis@kinvillage.org
Sources of Additional Information:
We recommend the following links for current, accurate updates on the extent of the COVID-19 situation in our province.
www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/coronavirus-(novel)
www.News.gov.bc.ca – Ministry Updates
www.healthlink.bc.ca - HealthLink BC
Wishing you a safe and healthy month of July!