Nov 24 Update from our COO: Seasons Camrose
Hello everyone,
I want to share that Seasons Camrose Retirement Community in Alberta was placed into COVID-19 outbreak status this past weekend. We conducted testing of affected staff and residents on Saturday; presently have two confirmed resident cases. We are working closely with Alberta Health Services (AHS) and the Medical Officer of Health. We informed all Seasons Camrose staff, residents and their families immediately. I want to thank this team for their preparedness, quick action and grace under pressure.
In a statement on Saturday, Canada’s Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Theresa Tam said current modelling indicates a “stronger response is needed immediately” in order to “interrupt transmission and slow the spread of COVID-19 across the country.”
Seasons remains committed to following all directives from local public health, our sector regulators and provincial Chief Medical Officer Directives. We continue to practice strict infection prevention and control measures.
To all Seasons residents and their family members; I want to thank you for your ongoing cooperation with our precautionary protocols. While site-specific restrictions depend on the region and province you live in, there are some universal recommendations that continue to benefit all of us. We need to consider where we are going and who we will come into contact with when we get there. We must be vigilant about physical distancing, wearing a mask (and wearing it correctly) and frequent handwashing.
Families, I know it is hard to be apart from your loved ones. Unless you are designated as an essential family/caregiver, please consider whether a visit is best at this time, even if it is technically ‘allowed’ in your region. While nobody would knowingly bring COVID-19 into our communities, it is a sneaky virus that can attach itself to you, sometimes completely undetected until it’s too late. Our residents are extremely vulnerable and we must do everything we can to limit their exposure to the virus. At Seasons, being apart from your loved ones does not mean that they are alone. Please rest assured that our teams are committed to connecting with residents, ensuring they are engaged in safe ways.
Team members, we continue to be grateful and proud of the important work you are doing to keep our residents, and one another, safe. Please be extra cautious both at work and when you are off to practice physical distancing, hand hygiene, frequent monitoring of symptoms, staying home when sick and adhering to current gathering limits even in your own homes. Please take care of your own health and find safe ways to participate in activities you enjoy. Thank you for your commitment.
There are many questions right now about the holidays. When speaking about Christmas last Friday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stated that, “… so much depends upon what we are doing right now, immediately, to reduce our contacts and get through these next weeks and see the cases that are spiking almost out of control get back under control.” With this in mind, Seasons is reviewing our visitor policy to set ourselves up for a successful holiday season. We will have more on that for next week’s memo.
The holidays will be a difficult time for many people in our greater communities. Local food banks need our assistance more than ever; therefore, we have decided to proceed with our annual Holiday Food Drive from December 1 – 14. If you are able to donate non-perishable goods this year, we will happily accept them.
Once again, thank you all for the trust you have placed in Seasons Retirement Communities. There may be a long road ahead of us, but we will surely get through this together.
Sincerely,
LeighAnne Voll
COO, Seasons Retirement Communities