Posted on June 18, 2020January 11, 2021 by admin

June 18 COVID-19 Precautionary Protocols at Seasons

At the outset of the COVID-19 situation in Canada, Seasons Retirement Communities implemented heightened precautionary protocols in all of our homes.  We continue to follow the advice of provincial and federal governments, our sector regulators, and local Public Health agencies.

This document is meant to act as a reference for the current precautionary protocols at Seasons.  Please note that this list is not exhaustive and it does not reflect the heightened safety protocols we would implement in a home in outbreak or suspected outbreak status.  As the COVID-19 situation continues to evolve we may need to add or change our policies. We will continue to advise residents and families of these changes as quickly as possible.

As of June 18, 2020, these are the precautionary protocols we presently have in place in both our Ontario and Alberta retirement communities:

Active screening for all staff, essential visitors, and vendor partners who enter Seasons including the completion of health screening checklists, taking temperatures, and declaring recent travel information. Anyone who is exhibiting symptoms suggestive of flu or COVID-19, or who has been in contact with a probable or confirmed case of COVID-19 will not be permitted to enter.

Use of masks and PPE. In an outbreak situation, masks and PPE are required as per our infection control policy and directives from Public Health. Additionally, in all homes regardless of outbreak status, staff will be continuously masking.  Residents will be provided with surgical masks when leaving the premises for medical appointments, and will require cloth masks for all scheduled visits with loved ones.  See below for details.  

Enhanced cleaning routines including infection control protocols for increased cleaning of high touch point areas. Hand sanitizer is readily available in key amenity areas and additional information shared with staff and residents on how to personally help prevent the spread of the virus.

Practicing physical distancing, proper hand hygiene and cohorting.  We are serving lunch and dinner in our dining rooms, and providing room service for breakfast.  Tables have been spaced out to accommodate physical distancing, and only two residents dine at a table at one time.  Dining sittings have been adjusted to ensure residents from the same floor or area in our homes eat at the same time, in an effort to cohort for contact tracing purposes.  Residents are provided with hand sanitizer before and after enjoying their meals.  Buffets have been suspended and meals are served a la carte. Organized activities of 5 persons or less are being enjoyed with similar protocols as at dining times.    

Residents leaving the premises. While we discourage leaving for non-essential reasons, retirement home residents can leave the premises for short trips. Residents leaving the premises must complete a health screening checklist upon their return to our home.  They must wear a mask at all times, practice physical distancing and proper hand hygiene.  If residents are being picked up by a driver, residents are encouraged to sit in the backseat of the car on the passenger side, to facilitate good physical distancing.  Residents may not leave the premises if there is a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19 in their retirement home.  Leaving the premises may be discouraged by Seasons or Public Health if there is wide-spread transmission in the greater, local community.

Resident health and wellness checks. We are conducting temperature checks for all residents, two times each day.  Snacks are delivered via room service and medications are delivered either in suite or at dining times, as needed.

Corporate Infection Control Committee (CICC) plans for every stage of a potential outbreak and provides regular communication to all stakeholders.

Alberta – Visitors.

Designated Essential Visitors (DEV) are those who have critically ill loved ones or who perform services that retirement community staff are not able to provide.  In addition, all residents may establish a DEV to enjoy scheduled outdoor visits with, plus one guest.

One hour outdoor visits must be scheduled 48 hours in advance, and the DEV must be present at every time for the duration of each visit.  Guests may rotate every visit but only one guest can be present during one scheduled visit.  No more than five resident visits will be scheduled each hour, to ensure physical distancing between groups

Visitors must:

1. Pass health screening questionnaire upon arrival
2. Practice good hand hygiene
3. Practice social distancing during visit, including no touching or hugging
4. Provide their own mask and practice continuous masking throughout the duration of the visit
5. Bring their own lawn chairs for themselves and resident for outdoor visits
6. Stay on the property in our designated visiting areas
7. Abide by the time allotted for the visit to allow Seasons to accommodate all residents

Ontario – Visitors.

Scheduled Visits. Phase One will include scheduled outdoor visits in designated areas on site and Phase Two will include scheduled indoor visits in designated areas in our homes.  All individuals seeking a visit will be given equitable visitation access consistent with resident preference and within reasonable restrictions that safeguard our residents. Please note that if there is a heat advisory or inclement weather, outdoor visits will be suspended and resume when weather conditions are safe for our residents.

Visitors Must:

1. Pass health screening questionnaire upon arrival
2. Provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test within the last 14 days
3. Practice good hand hygiene
4. Practice social distancing during visit, including no touching or hugging
5. Provide their own mask and practice continuous masking throughout the duration of the visit
6. Bring their own lawn chairs for themselves and resident for outdoor visits
7. Stay on the property in our designated visiting areas
8. Abide by the time allotted for the visit to allow Seasons to accommodate all residents

In both Alberta and Ontario, visits will be paused if there is a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19 in the retirement community.  Further, residents who do not follow safety measures for visits may be asked to shelter in suite for the protection of their fellow residents and our team members.  Visitors who do not follow safety measures may inadvertently expose their loved one to COVID-19, thereby requiring their loved one to have to shelter in suite.  Additionally, any visitor who does not adhere to safety protocols will be asked to leave and may be refused visitation in the future.

Our towns and cities may be opening up but as per provincial Ministries of Health, the risk to our residents remains high and re-opening of retirement communities must be cautious and phased strategically.  Please help us keep our residents and team members safe and healthy by respecting all protocols.

We appreciate that these measures have changed the daily life of the residents who live in our homes and that many are tired of the restrictions. We continue to check in with residents and come up with creative ways to safely keep everyone engaged, connected, and having fun until we can return to regular operations.  Please remember that while you may be apart from your loved one, they are not alone at Seasons.  Thank you all for your patience and cooperation.