AUGUST 31, 2021 – MENNO HOME E1 – Covid Positive -T = 2 staff

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COVID UPDATE – August 31, 2021 – Home E1

NEW COVID POSITIVE CASES  = 2

TOTAL COVID POSITIVE CASES = 2 (0 resident/ 2 staff)

We are sad to report that there was a COVID positive exposure at Menno Home E1. Two staff are COVID positive.
Public Health has ordered that Menno Home E1 be on Enhanced Monitoring
What is Enhanced Monitoring?
When there is a low risk case of COVID with no evidence of transmission at a site (i.e. a COVID-19 exposure), an outbreak will not be declared and the facility will be placed on enhanced monitoring. This entails specific measures such as actively screening residents/tenants and staff to identify any further cases, testing/isolation of all those who are symptomatic;
  • Residents/Tenants cared for by an affected staff member placed on isolation/droplet precautions
  • Stop all all communal / group activities on the affected unit
  • Tray service for all residents/tenant’s meals on the affected unit
  • Stop all social visitation to the affected unit
  • Only fully vaccinated residents to move into the unit
  • PPE, hand hygiene and environmental audits twice / week
  • These measures can be modified at the discretion of the Medical Health Officer
  • Staff to cohort only to E1
  • Residents and staff who were in close contact with the positive staff will be swabbed for COVID – all primary contacts of residents will be contacted
  • If there is no COVID spread and all other aspects go well, the earliest the unit can come off Enhanced Monitoring is September 13th.

 

Letter: Outside Support, or Personal Service Provider – August 20, 2021

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This letter is for all Outside Support, or Personal Service Providers

Menno Place

August 20, 2021

Dear Outside Support, or Personal Service Provider,

On August 20, 2021, Dr. Bonnie Henry, BC’s Provincial Health Officer ordered that all outside support, personal or service providers must immediately provide Menno Place with proof of vaccination or they must be refused access to the facility.

Please provide your proof of vaccination in order to gain access to the Menno Place buildings and continue providing your support or services. Please provide this to one of the following: Visitation Host, Receptionist, Nurse or Manager of Community Enrichment in order to resume the services you provide to residents.

The Public Health Order definitions:

“Vaccinated” means a person who is at least 14 days post-receipt of the full series of a World Health Organization (“WHO”) approved vaccines against infection by SARS-CoV-2, or a combination of approved WHO vaccines.

An outside support or personal service provider is defined as: A volunteer, hired companion, barber, hairdresser, nail esthetician or any other non-staff member who provides personal support or a personal service to a resident. This includes housekeeping and laundry services. This does not include visitors.

The Provincial Health Officer outlines in her August 20, 2021 Public Health Order that these orders are for the purpose of “mitigating the risk of transmission of SARS-CoV-2 arising from the presence of unvaccinated persons in facilities”.

The order applies to all buildings on the Menno Place campus. Please note that refusal to comply with the PHO order is a violation of the Public Health Act and is subject to consequences outlined in the Act.

Elderly people are particularly vulnerable if they contract COVID-19. Menno Place resident’s lives are greatly impacted in the event that a COVID-19 positive individual comes into our buildings. They are confined to their apartments, unable to go out or participate in social events or group dining. Social isolation is particularly impactful to this age group of individuals. To limit these impacts, we are mitigating the risk of COVID-19 entering our buildings through any unvaccinated individuals. We thank you in advance for your cooperation. If you have questions or concerns, please connect with Cheryl Dawes, Manager, Community Enrichment – 604.851.4020.

Sincerely,

Karen L. Biggs, CEO

Memo: Menno Apartments Residents – August 25, 2021

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MEMO: August 24, 2021

Menno Apartments Residents

Provincial Health Officer Orders – August 20th

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On August 20th 2021, Dr. Bonnie Henry announced new orders that will allow her and the Public Health team to “mitigate the risk of the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 arising from the presence of unvaccinated persons in facilities…”

The expectation of the order is that all who work or serve here will be fully vaccinated. Dr. Bonnie Henry says, “the presence of an unvaccinated outside provider in a facility creates a risk to residents and staff”.

Effective immediately, all outside support or personal service workers are required to be vaccinated (2 doses of COVID vaccination + 14 days). They will be required to show proof of vaccination in order to enter any Menno Place buildings, including all apartment buildings. They must provide proof of vaccination to the Visitation Host, Receptionist or Manager of Community Enrichment.

This includes all volunteers, hired companions, health support workers, housekeepers or any other non-staff member who provides personal support or a personal service to a resident. At this time, this does not include visitors.

If they are unvaccinated, they will not be permitted to continue to provide the services. They can get vaccinated before October 12 and they will be allowed to return to support you.

As you know, any time someone comes into the Menno Place buildings who is COVID-positive, it results in lockdown and isolation for the residents. Isolation includes no visitors and no exiting your apartment for 14 days. Meals in the dining room are not permitted. Social activites are stopped. As we think about the upcoming fall and winter along with the rising COVID-positive cases, we do not want to be isolated again. This is why we are mitigating the risk of COVID-19 entering our building through unvaccinated individuals.

Thank you for your continued cooperation with these restrictions. We are grateful for all you have done and endured in order to keep safe and keep others safe.

Cheryl Dawes, Manager, Community Enrichment – 604.851.4020

COVID UPDATE – August 20, 2021 – Terrace East (TE)

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NEW COVID POSITIVE CASES  = 0 (0 residents / 1 staff)

TOTAL COVID POSITIVE CASES = 1 (0 residents/ 1 staff)

TOTAL NEW SYMPTOMATIC = 0 (0 resident / 0 staff)

Dear Tenants and Families of Menno Terrace,

The Enhanced Monitoring due to COVID-19 exposure at Terrace East has been called over by Public Health.

This was one of the easiest enhanced monitoring due to the high numbers of fully vaccinated tenants and staff. The lower the full vaccination numbers are, the more stringent the protocols will be. We are grateful for the vaccine and for all who are vaccinated for their own protection and the protection of their neighbours and staff.

COVID-19 full vaccination mandatory for all BC long-term and Assisted Living staff by October 12

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Today, Dr. Bonnie Henry, Provincial Health Officer announced that all staff in assisted living facilities and long-term care homes in the province must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by October 12th (2 doses + 14 days). She said that this will be a condition of employment and an important tool to fight the variant infections in some of the province’s most vulnerable population.

In the interim, non-vaccinated staff will be required to continue to wear PPE and be tested regularly.

Watch the Dr. Bonnie Henry announcement – CLICK HERE

In the rare case that an individual cannot be fully vaccinated due to medical reasons, public health will be working with the individuals who are not able to be vaccinated.

AUGUST 9, 2021 – TERRACE EAST COVID-19 EXPOSURE

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COVID UPDATE – August 9, 2021 – Terrace East (TE)

NEW COVID POSITIVE CASES  = 1(0 residents / 1 staff)

TOTAL COVID POSITIVE CASES = 1 (0 residents/ 1 staff)

TOTAL NEW SYMPTOMATIC = 0 (0 resident / 0 staff)

Dear Tenants and Families of Menno Terrace,

We are writing to notify you that someone at Menno Terrace was diagnosed with COVID-19. The Fraser Health COVID-19 Public Health team is working with the staff at the home to identify anyone who may have been exposed and to take steps to protect the health of all tenants and staff. Our Medical Health Officer has not declared a COVID-19 outbreak at this time.

This exposure does not mean you/your famly member is sick with COVID-19. Tenants and staff will be screened twice-daily for any signs of illness. Those who develop symptoms will be isolated, tested for COVID-19 and provided the care they need.

The health and safety of tenants and staff is our first priority and a responsibility we take very seriously. To date, as part of our proactive management, Fraser Health has worked to ensure enhanced measures are in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19 at this home.

Your loved one may be required to isolate based on their exposure and COVID-19 vaccination status. We know that staying away from your loved one is very difficult and we appreciate your cooperation with the goal of keeping residents, staff and medical staff healthy. At this time there are no residents in isolation. Visits continue with screening by the Visitation Hosts.

Staff at this home will continue to provide care and services to you to enhance your safety and well-being while maintaining routines where it is safe to do so. We will also keep you up-to-date if there are any changes related to your family member’s health status.

For general information about COVID-19, call 8-1-1, or visit HealthLinkBC:

https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/health-feature/coronavirus-covid-19.

If you have further questions, please contact Cheryl Dawes, Manager, Community Enrichment, Tel. No. 604-851-4020

We are looking forward to you dropping in! Effective July 19th – no more pre-booking your visit!

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Tomorrow is an exciting day for residents and their loved ones – you will no longer need to pre-book your visit!

As we prepare for your arrival tomorrow and the days following, here are some considerations:

  1. We are required to screen every visitor – and this can take some time. Thank you for your patience as we ask you the screening questions. We have updated the screening process to allow screening of groups together.
  2. Even though things are getting back to normal, we do require social distancing. This will be important as you wait outside the door for your turn to enter. Thank you for keeping yourself and others safe by keeping your distance.
  3. Visitation Hosts are at the main entrances from 10am – 6pm every day. This is the best time for you to come for a visit as your wait-time will be minimized for screening. Prior to 10am, most residents are receiving care and breakfast. The nursing team is busy assisting residents. You may need to wait longer if you come earlier than 10am. 
  4. Give us a heads-up – If you are planning to visit after 6pm, we ask that you phone Reception (before 4pm, M-F) to let them know you will be arriving. This message will be passed along to nursing so that they can be prepared to receive you.
  5. Be sensitive about numbers of people and length of visit. Many residents tire easily. You know your loved one best. Please be sensitive to their needs as you plan your visit.
  6. Fully vaccinated – you will be required to show your evidence of 2 doses of COVID-19 vaccine plus 14 days in order to remove your mask when you are alone with your loved one.
  7. Everyone must wear their mask at all times. The only time it comes off is for fully vaccinated visitors who are with your loved one in a private space.
  8. The staff who are fully vaccinated are ALSO taking off masks and goggles tomorrow. They will need to wear a sticker (as you do) to indicate that they have provided evidence of their double-vaccination plus 14 days.
  9. Everyone is excited and everyone is also feeling unsure. It has been a LONG time since visitors were able to drop-in – since March 16, 2020! Following the guidelines will give everyone the confidence that the environment is SAFE!
  10. For those of you visiting a loved one in Terrace East Assisted Living, you must be screened before walking through the building. Please do not use the enterphone to go directly to your loved one’s apartment suite.
  11. Remember – if you want to leave the apartment building or unit, you need to let the nurse know and use the sign-out/sign-in sheet. This sheet is used in the event of an emergency such as a fire. If your loved one is not in their room and the sheet is not signed, we will begin a thorough search thinking that they are missing or unsafe. If they are not found easily, we will involve the police in the search. You can avoid this with by signing-out and signing-in when you return with your loved one.
  12. We are excited for you! This has been a long, hard journey for you. Welcome back! We look forward to seeing you!

Social Visits – What changes on Monday July 19th?

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Dear visitors of residents at Menno Home, Menno Hospital and Terrace East: EFFECTIVE MONDAY JULY 19, 2021

July 8th, 2021, marked an important and exciting change for residents and visitors of long-term Care and Seniors Assisted Living homes with the announcement of changes in visiting programs for British Columbia.

As of July 19, 2021, Social Visits will follow these guidelines:

  • Visits no longer need to be pre-booked (except for evening visits in order to arrange screening)
  • Indoor social visits will no longer be limited to two adults and one child
  • Visitors will be asked to show proof of vaccination status. Menno Place will retain this information to provide to public health if needed
  • Visitors will continue to be screened for signs of illness, including a temperature check on arrival
  • Visitors will still need to provide contact tracing information
  • No Social visits will be allowed if the care home is on “outbreak” or “enhanced monitoring”
  • Visits will still take place primarily in the resident room or apartment suite
  • Visitors will continue to socially distance (6ft from others) and use effective hand hygiene
  • “Outings” (where the resident leaves the enclosed unit/building) must be arranged with the nurse and use the sign-out/sign-in protocol
  • Assisted Living outings – use the sign-out/sign-in book when going on an outing
  • Outdoor group gatherings (7 days per week) can be booked for Home and Hospital by calling Reception (M-F: 8am – 4pm).
  • Visitors will wear a medical grade mask (supplied by Menno Place) while moving through the building and common areas
    • Fully vaccinated visitors may remove their masks once in direct contact with the resident they are visiting or when outdoors
    • A visitor will be considered fully vaccinated when at least 14 days passed since receiving their 2nd dose of a COVID-19 vaccine
    • Non-fully vaccinated visitors, or those unable to provide vaccination status, are required to wear a mask throughout their visit, both indoors and outdoors

What are the best hours for visiting?

  • 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM (7 DAYS A WEEK – A VISITATION HOST WILL GREET AND SCREEN YOU)
  • 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM (7 DAYS A WEEK – PLEASE CALL AHEAD TO RECEPTION (M-F: 8am – 4pm) IN ORDER TO ENSURE THAT A STAFF MEMBER IS AVAILABLE TO GREET YOU)
  • If you would like to book prior to 10am, please call the nurse.

We are pleased to let you know that the Menno Place Team has facilitated:

  • 2,560 Messages of Love (March 2020 – July 2021)
  • 4,575 Zoom Calls (March 2020 – July 14, 2021)
  • 2,369 Safe Visits (August 1, 2020 – April 1, 2021)
  • 6,356 Booked Social Visits (April 1 – July 14, 2021)

15,860 TOTAL facilitated connections during COVID pandemic

We are committed to continuing to provide meaningful and safe visiting opportunities for each resident; however, each resident will have different needs for length of visits or number of visitors at one time. Please be mindful of resident’s preferences when planning your visit and length of stay.

As we adjust to the new processes, and the anticipated influx of visitors, we ask for your patience. In particular, our Visitation Hosts will need extra time to screen visitors and to confirm vaccination status. During peak visiting times, line-ups may be expected. Thank you for your understanding.

For questions or comments, please contact Garry Janzen, Life Enrichment Coordinator – 604.851.1332 during regular office hours, Monday-Friday 8:30am – 4:00pm.

Please note: The Visitation Policy is subject to change in conjunction with the Fraser Health Authority and Ministry of Health Guidelines.

Frequently Asked Questions:

  1. Can I visit with all of the members of my congregation / clients? No. You may visit with one resident only per screening. You cannot go from unit to unit or from apartment suite to apartment suite.
  2. What precautions should I take if I’m visiting someone who has not been vaccinated? Consider visiting via Zoom. You should wear a mask to keep them as safe as possible. Practice social distancing and hand hygiene.
  3. Can I visit my loved one in their room and then take them out for a walk? In order to leave the unit / apartment building, you need to speak with the nurse and follow all sign-out/sign-in protocol.
  4. What about the variant? There may be additional infection prevention protocols needed as Public Health assesses the risks for the most vulnerable population, the elderly.
  5. What if I don’t want to report or provide evidence of my vaccination status to you? You will follow the same guidelines as visitors who are not fully vaccinated.
  6. What kind of evidence do you need of my vaccination status? Bring your vaccination card or your online BC Mobile Card – CLICK HERE
  7. Will the staff be wearing masks? The staff continue with the infection control protocols that have been in place throughout the COVID pandemic, including wearing masks and goggles in resident spaces.
  8. What changes for essential visitors? There is no change to the essential visitor program.

Phone Numbers:

Menno Home Reception: 604.853.2411

Menno Hospital Reception: 604.859.7631

Terrace East Reception: 604.851.4004

Garry Janzen, Life Enrichment Coordinator: 604.851.1332

Here is the link to the July 8, 2021 announcement:
https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2021HLTH0124-001331

Here is a power point presentation about the updates, prepared by the Ministry of Health.
https://bccare.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/PPT-Easing-of-LTC-Visitor-Restriction-8-July-2021_FINAL.pdf

July 8, 2021 – Update to Visitation Restrictions in Assisted Living and Long-Term Care

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Easing of Restrictions on Visits to Long-Term Care and Assisted Living residents

Adrian Dix, Minister of Health has announced the easing of visitation restrictions effective July 19, 2021.
Menno Place Covid Response Team will be meeting to put a plan into place for Menno Home, Menno Hospital and Terrace East.
Here is the link to today’s announcement:
https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2021HLTH0124-001331

Here is a power point presentation about the updates, prepared by the Ministry of Health.
https://bccare.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/PPT-Easing-of-LTC-Visitor-Restriction-8-July-2021_FINAL.pdf

BC Restart Step 3 – What’s Changed at Menno Place?

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July 1, 2021 marks the first day of Step 3 in BC’s Restart Program and marks the end of the public state of emergency. We have now moved into a time where we follow communicable disease prevention guidelines.

Due to the vaccination program throughout British Columbia, we have now moved into Stage 3 of the BC Restart Program. 78% of British Columbians are now vaccinated. At Menno Place, our vaccination rates per building are between 91% and 98% – click for rates per building.

The changes announced by the BC Government, Dr. Adrian Dix and BC Public Health Officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry impact the general population in British Columbia but do not change the orders provided to Menno Place for long-term care (Menno Home, Menno Hospital) and assisted living (Terrace East).

All visitors to Menno Place should self-screen prior to coming for a visit. CLICK HERE FOR SELF-SCREENING QUESTIONS and COVID-19 RISK FACTORS. Do not visit if you say YES to any of these questions. Residents of Assisted Living and Long-Term Care are screened daily for COVID-19. Staff are screened prior to each shift.

What does this mean for residents and visitors at Menno Place?

Independent Living (Pavilion, Terrace West, Primrose Gardens)

Mask wearing continues to be important and is recommended for all people 12 and older who are not yet fully vaccinated – both visitors and residents. Fully vaccinated means 14 days after receiving your second dose. Staff have received permission to relax mask wearing unless in direct contact with residents. This is due to the heatwave.

Residents and Visitors to Independent Living are asked to self-screen for COVID-19 and get tested for COVID-19 if they have symptoms – CLICK HERE

Visitors who are not fully vaccinated are asked to continue to wear a mask within the public spaces (hallways, elevators, parkade) in the Independent Living buildings.

Independent Living follows the Public Health Guidelines, residents and visitors will comply with BC Step 3 guidelines – click here for details.

Personal Gatherings: caution is recommended for those who have fragile health. Outdoor gatherings are recommended. Mask wearing is particularly important around residents who are not fully vaccinated.

Religious Worship Services – residents may now attend their worship service at their church / place of worship without booking a reservation. For those who are not fully vaccinated, precautions such as mask-wearing and hand sanitization is recommended.

Symptoms of COVID – If a visitor or resident has symptoms of COVID, they should follow guidelines to get a COVID test in Abbotsford. Do not visit if you have COVID symptoms or any risks for COVID. See COVID Screening Questions.

Assisted Living, Long-Term Care (Terrace East, Menno Home, Menno Hospital)

Fraser Health Orders, including social visitation orders continue to provide direction for those living in assisted living (Terrace East) and long-term care (Menno Home and Menno Hospital). We do not have an indication of change for these orders at this time. Visitors are required to wear a mask when within the assisted living or long-term care buildings and while having a social visit.