KinVillage COVID-19 Prevention Plan Update - May 22, 2020
A big thank you to all of our staff! Your welcoming smiles, your gentleness and compassion to the residents/tenants, to one another and to families are very much appreciated during these stressful and uncertain times.
We continue to remain safe and COVID-19 free. Our collective efforts are working. Thank you.
We know that it is hard for families to be separated due to COVID-19 prevention and control measures. These measures, including essential visitor restrictions, are critical in protecting the health of our residents, who are most vulnerable to COVID-19.
Items to share since last week’s update:
Starting on Monday May 25, families will now be 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.
Reminder - BC Center for Disease Control (BCCDC) wants to hear from you via a survey – BC COVID-19 Speak: Your Story, our future. Your input is invaluable to this population health survey which hopes to gather people’s experience, knowledge and actions during the COVID-19 pandemic. The survey takes about 20 minutes and is open until May 31. Family members or friends who know of someone who may have difficulty accessing the survey on-line can help simply by opening up the survey via the link below, going through the questions with the person and inputting their answers into the on-line survey on their behalf. Alternatively the survey can be completed by phone - please call 1-833-707-1900, seven days a week between 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 pm and a volunteer will assist you.
Link to Survey: http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19/covid-19-survey
Visitor restrictions continue – there is no change at this time. We 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. Thank you!
Single Site Staffing – was implemented May 15, 2020. As anticipated there was minimal disruption and we continue to provide quality care in a safe environment for our residents and staff.
We continue to actively screen anyone entering the Care Home and Assisted Living residence, including all staff twice daily. Residents are closely monitored for any symptoms including fever indicating possible infection. Testing is done promptly for anyone who has symptoms. Thank you for continuing to do all you can to stop the threat of COVID-19.
Sincere thanks this week to our community:
• 7-11 - Tsawwassen for donating donuts, muffins and bottled water for all of our care staff to enjoy on their breaks. Thank you 7-11 for the delicious treats - they were very much appreciated!
• 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.healthlink.bc.ca - Healthlink BC
www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/coronavirus-(novel)
www.News.gov.bc.ca – Ministry Updates