Update – Social Visits – April 1 – Menno Home, Menno Hospital, Terrace Assisted Living

On March 25th, Dr. Bonnie Henry announced major changes to the visitation program for residents of long-term care and assisted living. The changes will come into effect on April 1, 2021.

Families and friends are eager for visits to go back to how it was prior to COVID. These new changes will not bring visits back to that level. There are safety measures will be in place that will be a layer of protection.

We want to acknowledge that you have seen the impact of COVID – in yourself or co-workers who tested COVID positive and in residents who survived or perished due to COVID. You have been required to uphold the highest standard of infection control protocols, including keeping residents in isolation for months. You have sacrificed in your own personal lives to keep residents safe. All of this has taken a lot of effort and sacrifice. It has impacted you. In the absence of family, you have taken up the role of loved one for our residents. You bring them joy through your presence, your kindness, your laughter, your touch. We hear the singing above us by staff in the west wing of Menno Hospital. Thank you, all, for your extra special caring during this past year. You have been AMAZING at keeping COVID out. We are grateful for your efforts both at work and at home.

All of this will, once again change with the freedoms of social visits that will begin on Thursday, April 1st. It will be a big change for us – and we can do it! Your best protection from COVID-19 is to get immunized. You can book your immunization here – CLICK HERE.

Visitors will be provided strict guidelines as to how they may conduct their visit. These are some of the precautions:

• They must have a “scheduled” visit.  They cannot enter without a booked visit. We have an online booking calendar that they will use for booking their visit. They must book 48 hours in advance. As we have been doing with safe visits, the unit will be provided with a list of residents and visitors names the day prior for the daily booked visits.
• Visitors will be actively screened, provided a surgical mask, sanitize hands and provide contact info for contact tracing. Anyone with symptoms will not be allowed to enter the building.
• Masks are to be worn by visitors over nose and mouth at all times.
• There can only be 2 adult visitors at one time with a resident. They may have a child under 18 with them as well.
• Visitors may only visit with their loved one.
• Residents in a double room will take their visits in a common area.
• Zoom visits will continue
• Visits will stop if there is an outbreak

In Terrace East, Assisted Living:

• Grocery delivery will stop (we hear your cheers! Thank you for all you’ve done to make this happen!)
• Residents will begin eating as a complete group in the dining room – details will come from Angela and Cheryl

What does this all mean for you, the Menno Place Team?

There are no changes to the directives from the Public Health Officer for frontline workers.

• You must still change your clothes prior to starting your shift and at the end of your shift
• Outside packaged food is not allowed
• Wearing of masks and goggles is still mandatory (visitors are not required to wear goggles but will be watching that staff do)
• Social distancing required in lunch rooms, at the biometric hand scanner and wherever possible
• Diligent hand hygiene practices must remain in place

Although we realize there is greater risk in opening our doors to the community, we are pleased that our residents will be able to see their loved ones and are thankful that most of our staff have been immunized.  The best way to protect yourself is to be immunized.  If you have not yet done so you can still get an appointment.  CLICK HERE