June 8 Update from our COO: Small Group Activities to Begin June 15
I am pleased to share that at the time of writing this update, we continue to be free of COVID-19 in all Seasons Retirement Communities, in both Ontario and Alberta.
As directed by the provincial Chief Medical Officers of Health, we are seeing voluntary asymptomatic testing of SL4/4D residents in specific Alberta Health Services regions and asymptomatic testing of all staff and residents in certain communities in Ontario. As always, we will be forthcoming and transparent with the results of these tests, as we receive them.
Alberta
The CMOH also advised that we will be able to welcome our hairdressers back to our homes. For specific details about the hair salon in your Seasons Retirement Community, please speak with your General Manager. Just a reminder that protocols will include but are not limited to the following:
• Hairdresser must complete health screening before entering our home
• Hairdresser and resident must both wear a mask
• One resident in the salon at a time
• No exchange of cash
• Stringent disinfecting of the salon between patrons
• No outside patrons allowed
Also, as per the CMOH, just a reminder that the Designated Essential Visitor must be present during each and every scheduled outdoor visit, for the entire duration of that visit. Your guest may differ from one scheduled visit to the next, but they may not be interchanged within the one hour visit itself. If you require further clarity on this directive, please speak with your General Manager.
Ontario
Our cautious approach to reintroducing two meals per day in the dining room has been going well. As part of our next phase, we will begin to host small group activities of 5 residents or less, starting the week of June 15. Guidelines around physical distancing and good hand hygiene will be communicated and enforced.
In both Ontario and Alberta, the protection of our staff and residents is our highest priority. As I have noted in the past, it will take the collective, continued cooperation of residents, staff, and family members to keep COVID-19 out of our homes. We know many of you are tired of these restrictions and are anxious to return to a more normal way of life; I can appreciate that. However, the risk to residents remains high. We will only continue to keep one another safe if we remain compliant and vigilant.
Team members, I want to thank you for your ongoing commitment to keeping our residents and one another safe by continuing to follow all safety protocols. Your efforts are reflected in the good health of our retirement communities and the many cards, letters, and social media comments I am reading from residents and families alike. Please keep it up. You are all valued members of Team Seasons and we appreciate the important work you do each day.
Thank you to our residents for your continued patience and understanding. If you are feeling unwell in any way, please tell a Seasons team member immediately.
Families, if your loved one expresses that he or she is feeling ill, please ask if they have advised our health and wellness team and if not, please feel free to contact us on their behalf. Residents who are feeling unwell will get a COVID-19 test and enjoy room service to their suites while they await the results. This is important, as it will ensure the health and safety of all staff and residents.
While you may be apart from your loved one, please remember that they are not alone in your absence. Seasons remains dedicated to keeping our residents entertained and connected during these unprecedented times, and we have found many creative yet safe ways to continue having fun. For examples of this, I encourage you to visit our Seasons Facebook page or other social media channels.
Thank you all for the trust you have placed in Seasons Retirement Communities. Whether you work with us or have chosen to call us home, we will get through this by staying vigilant, together.
Sincerely,
LeighAnne Voll,
Chief Operating Officer
For additional online resources for COVID-19 you can visit the following sites:
Canada Health
Alberta Health
Alberta Health Services
Public Health Ontario
Retirement Home Regulatory Authority