Visits in Long Term Care and Assisted Living – June 30, 2020
June 30, 2020 – DR. BONNIE HENRY ANNOUNCEMENT THAT VISITS IN LONG TERM CARE AND ASSISTED LIVING WILL OPEN IN THE NEAR FUTURE
Today, Dr. Bonnie Henry announced that, in the near future, one designated visitor will be allowed to visit safely with residents in long term care homes and assisted living apartments. She asked long term care homes to exercise caution and thoughtfulness to minimize risk to the residents and staff as they develop a safety plan for visits in the coming weeks.
Menno Home, Menno Hospital and Terrace East Assisted Living currently operate under the orders of Mark Lavoie, Fraser Health Medical Health Officer. The orders for essential visitors have not, yet, been changed. At this time, there are no changes to visiting at Menno Home, Menno Hospital or Terrace East Assisted Living as we await specific instructions and information from the Public Health Officer to guide us in the plans to open up visiting in long-term care and assisted living.
In today’s media update, Adrian Dix, BC’s Minister of Health announced funding for up to three full-time staff per care home/assisted living apartment to assist with the logistics of booking, cleaning and transporting residents to a safe space for visits. This will be essential for Menno Place as we anticipate 443 designated visitors booking visits with their loved ones once we open.
As it has been 100 days since the visitor lockdown began, we understand how difficult it has been for family members to be separated during this time. Visitors will prepare themselves for a different way of visiting when these visits are opened up. There will be active screening questions prior to visiting, along with donning personal protective equipment as well as social distancing. Visits will take place in a cleaned and safe location.
FAQ:
- When will visits start? We do not have a start date. We are waiting for information from the Public Health Officer and new orders from the Fraser Health Medical Health officer
- Who will arrange the visits? We are waiting to hear the details of the media announcement that we may receive funding for up to three full-time staff in Menno Home, Menno Hospital and Terrace East Assisted Living. This will make the visits for 443 residents logistically possible.
How will staff be kept safe? There will be one designated visitor per resident. This visitor will comply with all infection prevention protocols. They will visit in a specific room (not yet determined) with plexiglass separating them from the resident. They will don PPE. They will not be allowed to touch each other. The visitation room will be disinfected between visits. All visits will be pre-booked
