ALL APARTMENT RESIDENTS (PG, PAV, TE, TW): Flu Shot Clinic next week

Dear Residents,

Apex Pharmacy will be on site to give residents their flu shot on the following days:

  • Terrace East – Monday November 15th
  • Terrace West – Tuesday, November 16th
  • Primrose Gardens – Wednesday, November 17th
  • Pavilion – Date to be determined

According to HealthLink BC, adults aged 65 years and older are at increased risk for the flu. Getting the flu shot is the single best way to protect yourself and your loved ones from the flu. All residents are encouraged to get the flu shot. If you have any questions, or if you have special health concerns, please ask your doctor if the flu shot is right for you. If you do not want to get a flu shot, just let staff know when they come to your door.

Here’s what you need to do to get your flu shot:

  • Wear a short-sleeved shirt.
  • Bring your ID with you.
  • Wait in your apartment. Staff will come and get you when it’s time to come down to the dining room to get your shot.
  • We will start at 9:00am and expect the clinic to run throughout the day.
  • When you get to the clinic we’ll have a consent form ready for you to sign.

Lunch will be served to all residents in their apartments on the day of the clinic. Thank you for being patient with us as we get these vaccinations done!

Trish Giesbrecht
Interim Nurse Manager

Visitation at Menno Place – Provincial Health Orders – Updated Dates

Updated Requirements for Visitation

On October 6th 2021 the Provincial Health Officer and the Ministry of Health announced updated requirements for visitation in long-term care and seniors’ assisted living facilities. In recognition of the added layer of protection provided by the COVID-19 vaccines and given the vulnerability of residents in long-term care and seniors assisted living even when fully immunized themselves, all visitors (both essential and social visitors) are now required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, excluding children under 12 years or those with an approved medical exemption.  As a campus of care, these requirements extend to all of our buildings, including Independent Living apartments. Proof of vaccination (e.g. BC Vaccine Card or equivalent) is required prior to entering or passing through the facility.

To support these changes, the policy document Overview of Visitors in Long-Term Care and Seniors ‘Assisted Living is being updated (and will be posted imminently) to include the requirement for all visitors to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

Effective October 12, 2021:

Visitors who do not demonstrate that they are either partially or fully vaccinated will not be able to enter a facility (excluding children under 12 years or those with an approved medical exemption);

Visitors are required to show proof of vaccination prior to entry, including if only to pass through the facility to access an outdoor space;

Visitors are required to show photo identification prior to entry;

Visitors must adhere to the following measures until they are confirmed as fully vaccinated

  • Wear a medical mask for the duration of the visit
  • Undergo rapid testing at the point of entry to the facility (excluding those under 12 years)

If the rapid test result is positive, the visitor must not enter the facility and should go immediately to 32470 Haida Drive, Building 1, Abbotsford to have a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test through public health.

All visitors, regardless of vaccination status, are required to wear a mask for the duration of their visit.

Effective November 30, 2021: ·

Visitors must demonstrate they are fully vaccinated to enter a facility (excluding children under 12 years or those with an approved medical exemption)

Other types of visits:

  • A window visit may be arranged through the nurse on the unit. This must be pre-booked to ensure that there is a member of the care team who can accommodate this type of visit.
  • You may arrange a Zoom call with your loved one – MENNO HOME | MENNO HOSPITAL
  • Send a Message Of Love (email with attachments that is printed and delivered) – CLICK HERE

Are residents permitted on outings with unvaccinated loved ones?

We do not know if residents will be permitted to go on outings with unvaccinated visitors.

We thank you for your cooperation in this. If you are upset about this change, please continue to treat our Visitation Hosts, receptionists, nurses, managers, and other staff with kindness and respect.  They did not make this decision and do not deserve to be berated for it.

————–

How do you express your disagreement with this Provincial Health Order?

If you need to speak to someone about the policy and speak passionately about your views, we advise you to contact Dr. Bonnie Henry and the Provincial Health Office:

Dr. Bonnie Henry
Email: bonnie.henry@gov.bc.ca
Provincial Health Officer
PO Box 9648
STN PROV GOVT
Victoria BC V8W 9P4

You can also contact Isobel McKenzie, Seniors Advocate: https://www.seniorsadvocatebc.ca/contact-us/

——————-

Definitions: (Reference: PHO Order, October 4, 2021)

“photo identification” means one of the following:
a. a photo BC Services Card within the meaning of the Identification Card regulation;
b. a temporary or permanent driver’s licence, issued by a government of a province of Canada;
c. a certificate of Indian Status;
d. a Métis Nation British Columbia citizenship and identification card;
e. a passport attesting to citizenship or other national status, issued by a government of any
jurisdiction and including a photograph of the holder;

“proof of vaccination” means by providing a vaccine card;

“vaccine card” means the following:
a. in the case of a person who is more than 18 years of age, photo identification and proof in one
of the following forms that the holder is vaccinated:
i. electronic proof or a printed copy of an electronic proof
(A) issued by the government in the form of a QR code, accessible through the “BC
Services Card” electronic online platform, and
(B) showing the name of the holder;
ii. proof in writing, issued by the government for the purpose of showing proof of
vaccination in accordance with orders made under the Public Health Act;
iii. a type of proof, whether electronic or in writing, that is issued
(A) by the government of Canada or of a province of Canada, and
(B) for the purpose of showing proof of vaccination in accordance with an order made
in the exercise of a statutory power with respect to the protection of public health or
the facilitation of international travel;
6
b. in the case of a person who is 12 to 18 years of age, proof in a form referred to in paragraph a.
(i), (ii) or (iii).

“unvaccinated” means that a person does not meet the definition of “vaccinated”;

“vaccinated” means a person who is at least 7 days post-receipt of the full series of a World Health Organization (“WHO”) approved vaccine against infection by SARS-CoV-2, or a combination of approved WHO vaccines (Ref: Order of the Provincial Health Officer, Residential Care COVID-19 Preventive Measures, Oct. 4, 2021)

 

 

 

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!

We are thankful for you – the families and friends who love the residents who call Menno Place their home.

May God’s blessing of peace and joy be with you this Thanksgiving holiday.

With gratitude for your engagement and advocacy,

The staff and leadership of Menno Place

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Watch Recordings of Home & Hospital Livestream Memorials

Did you miss the Menno Home or Hospital Livestream Memorial? Watch the recordings now.

Local and Okanagan food for the residents at Menno Place

Each day, the local and Okanagan produce is arriving for the residents to enjoy in their meals! Thank you, Angela, for providing this fresh and delicious food for the residents! Thank you to Neufeld Farms and Wisbey Farms for their support in supply this produce for us!

Elevator Maintenance – Primrose Gardens – August 23 – Sept. 3

Primrose Gardens Elevator – Maintenance between August 23, 2021 and Sept. 3, 2021

MEMO: All Apartment Residents – How to stay cool and safe in extreme heat

This memo was handed out to all Apartment residents (Independent & Assisted Living) on July 30, 2021

MEMO

Date:                July 30, 2021
To:                   All Apartment Residents: Independent & Assisted Living
Re:                   How to stay cool and safe in extreme heat
________________________________________________________________________

Dear Residents,

We recently went through a major heatwave in British Columbia, and some higher temperatures are beginning again. We wanted to take a moment and remind residents how to stay safe and cool during these hot days.

How to keep your body cool and comfortable:

  • Drink lots of fluids (Top #1 tip to keep cool)
  • Stay in a cool space (Top #2 tip to keep cool)
  • Wet a facecloth or hand towel with cold water and put it on the back of your neck.
  • Dress appropriately – loose fitting, light colored and breathable
  • Pay attention to how you feel and watch for symptoms of heat illness (see below)

 

How to keep your suite cool and comfortable:

 

  • Turn off the heat in your room on the thermostat
  • If you have air-conditioning, keep your doors and windows closed to keep the cold air in
  • Close your blinds or curtains in bedroom and living room
  • Do not go outside, or choose to take your walks early morning
  • Take a break if your suite is hot, and spend some time on the 1st floor of your building in the air-conditioned common areas. Bring a book, or some knitting and relax.

If you can’t get cool enough, call your family or support friends and check in. Let them know you could use some help. Try to plan a visit with your family who has air-conditioning.

Heat Exhaustion Symptoms

Anyone with one or more of these symptoms should move to a cool space immediately and let someone know they are not feeling well; skin rash, heavy sweating, headache, dizziness or fainting, nausea or vomiting, rapid heartbeat and breathing, muscle cramps, extreme thirst, and/or dark urine or decreased urination.

Heat Stroke Symptoms

Anyone with any of these symptoms should call 911 immediately; high body temperature, dizziness or fainting, confusion, lack of coordination, very hot and red skin.

Stay cool!

Sincerely,

Cheryl Dawes
Manager of Community Enrichment – 604 851 4020