Some Encouragement – Good News

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Words of encouragement from a daughter:

Hi all,

I would like to offer heartfelt thanks for the care and planning that has been taken to ensure the safety and well-being of the residents of Primrose Gardens and Menno Place.  This must be an incredibly difficult time to be working in elder care, and I am sincerely grateful for all you do.

I talk to my mother every day, and she would also like to express her thanks for the measures that have been put in place to keep her and my dad safe.  In some ways, the new regime is actually helpful for them because of their mobility issues.  They love having the bistro morning fare and the noon meal delivered to their door, and my mother really loves the programming on the Menno TV channel.  She is enjoying John Dyck’s hymn singing (she sings along) and encouraging words, and the armchair exercise class.  They are looking forward to a time when they can all be together at the noon meal again, but in the meantime they are content to live life in their apartment.

Thanks again!

———-

To the Staff at Menno Place

Our dad is a resident in Menno Home. Late last week he sustained a fractured hip followed by surgery at the hospital across the street. He is now back home, in your care for which we are extremely grateful.

Our dad never wanted to go to the “home” but as he suffered increasingly from dementia we knew it was the best place for him. It has not been easy releasing him to this awful disease.  Dementia is not kind to anyone – not to dad, not to us and not to you who look after him. For the past two years you have cared for him compassionately and helped mom on so many occasions as she had to leave him again and again when it was time to say goodby for the day.

Now, as dad is possibly facing his last days on earth, we are not able to be with him. This grieves us and we are not quite sure how to navigate this reality. Was it not for Covid, we would be with him there right now!  Perhaps it is fitting that you who have cared for him, looked after his needs, monitored his health and comforted him on our behalf are now also tasked with this final act of grace and mercy.  May you do so knowing that we honor you and are grateful for your kindness, attentiveness and competence.

Dad did not want to linger – he has wanted to go to his heavenly home for a long time. As a family we are praying that it may be soon so that he can see Jesus face to face and “know his purpose” again.

With gratitude and appreciation, his family

————–

Here’s an encouraging text from another daughter:

Essential Deliveries only – Menno Home, Menno Hospital, Terrace East

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Essential Deliveries only to Menno Home, Menno Hospital and Terrace East

Delivereis must be essential for the resident’s survival. There will be few items that fit this category as we supply most of their needs, particularly in Home and Hospital. The list will be a bit different for Assisted Living, Terrace East. Essential items may be hearing aids, medical supplies, dentures, incontinence products.

We are NOT accepting (and this is really hard to do) flowers, personal packages, coffees, special gifts, cards, etc.

Thankyou for your understanding. We are working as hard as we can to limit the risk of exposure to COVID-19.

 

For those in Independent Living (Pavilion, Terrace West, Primrose Gardens) – the Registered Visitor / Family member may bring groceries, laundry, medicine.

Seniors with Cars – Apartments – Letter

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We will deliver the following letter to every windshield of every car in the Terrace and Primrose Gardens parkades:

MEMO

Date:               March 25, 2020
To:                   Drivers of Cars parked in Terrace or Primrose Gardens Parkade
Re:                   COVID-19 PRECAUTIONS – SOCIAL DISTANCING

________________________________________________________________________

Dear Driver,

This is a notice to strongly caution you about going out in your car during this time of social distancing and COVID-19 PRECAUTIONS.

The Public Health Officer is ordering ALL citizens to practice social distancing. This means being 6ft or further from other people at all times. We know that the most vulnerable citizens to this illness are the elderly whom we love and serve here at Menno Place. We care about you and want you to get through this safely.

The Public Health Officer has warned us ALL to stay in our homes. For you, this means your apartment suite. We are here to help you organize alternatives for grocery shopping and pharmacy delivery. You no longer need to go to your doctor to renew a prescription. Phone your pharmacy.

If you go out, you are exposing yourself and ALL of those who live and work here to COVID-19.

If you need help organizing essential services such as grocery delivery, please call Nik (604.851.4006) to help you. We have volunteers from churches and within Menno Place who would love to serve you and help protect you.

Please know that this notice is written with your safety as our top priority. We love you and love the seniors who call Menno Place their home.

Respectfully,

Sharon Simpson, Director, Community Enrichment

COVID-19 PROTECTION: Independent Living: Pavilion, Terrace West, Primrose Gardens

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In order to follow the Public Health Officer’s Order to practice social distancing (6 ft away from each other), Menno Apartments is putting into place:

  1. Lunch meal will be served at your Apartment suite door beginning Thursday, March 26th. Dining room will be closed to all. This is in place until further notice.
  2. Only one door will be open for you to use to enter and exit the building – the front door. This is so that we can monitor who is coming and going through our buildings.
  3. You will be permitted ONE Registered Visitor/Family Member in addition to any healthcare services you receive from Fraser Health Home Health and medication deliveries from the Pharmacy. You will need to choose who will be your Registered Visitor / Family Member. This means that only ONE person will be entering your apartment besides the Home Health care aide.
  4. If you have a private housekeeper, you will need to decide if that person is going to be your Registered Visitor / Family Member. If not, they will not be permitted in the building.
  5. If you have a privately paid care giver, you need to connect with Nik to explain your situation – 604.851.4006
  6. To register the ONE Visitor/Family Member, they will need to go to this website: MennoPlaceLife.com/Register
  7. Practice Social Distancing. It will help you to figure this out if you imagine yourself already being infected. You don’t want to infect others, so you stay 6 feet away from them.
  8. Lounges, bistro and wellness areas are closed until further notice
  9. Recreation and Chaplains are going to do a survey to see what you need and what you’d like to keep you going through this strange time when you are asked to stay in your apartment suite most of the time.
  10. Recreation will be providing fun stuff to do in your Apartment suite. Tune in on channel 10 next week. We are creating programs for you to enjoy.
  11. Recreation will be bringing a library and puzzle cart around for you to get new books and puzzles each week.
  12. The chaplains will be providing spiritual care on channel 10 and you can also ask them to come to your apartment door to connect with you.
  13. You can go for walks. Stay 6 feet away from anyone, including your friend who is walking with you. You can take your scooter out and drive around. When you go out, don’t touch anything.
  14. DO NOT go to Abbotsford Regional Hospital unless you have an appointment there.
  15. We encourage you to get your medication delivered from a pharmacy. Rexall in Pavilion is closed. Please arrange medication delivery by pharmacy to your suite.
  16. One person in the elevator at a time – a couple may travel together.
  17. The best thing you can do for your own safety and the safety of everyone else in this building is to stay in your own apartment suite. Do not venture out. Phone your children and grandchildren. Do not go to their homes or let them come to your apartment.
  18. Are you driving? Driving around to get out is a good idea. Do not get out of your car. If you need gas, sanitize your hands after touching the pump.
  19. How do you get groceries and supplies? Recreation will bring a tuck cart to each floor every week with basic groceries such as milk, eggs, toilet paper, bread. If you need other groceries your Registered Visitor / Family member can bring those to you. Billing will be direct to your monthly billing statement. No cash or credit.
  20. Soap kills this COVID-19 virus. Wash your hands OFTEN – before and after using the bathroom, eating, going out of your apartment for an appointment and when you get into your Apartment building (before you go to your own suite).
  21. Recreation is starting a Buddy Phone System where you can pair up with somebody else in your apartment building to chat every once in a while.

COVID-19 PROTECTION: Assisted Living Building: TERRACE EAST

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TERRACE EAST – ASSISTED LIVING BUILDING

In order to follow the Assisted Living Registrar’s directives and the Public Health Officer’s Order to practice social distancing (6 ft away from each other), Menno Apartments is putting into place:

  1. Terrace East will accept Essential Visitors ONLY. This is ONLY for palliative residents and one at a time per day. One visit per day. Residents must be assessed as palliative by their doctor. These are ORDERS from the Assisted Living Registrar. Menno Place must comply.
  2. Groceries (essential ONLY) can be dropped off at TE Main Entrance during Reception hours ONLY. Monday – Friday: 8:30am – 4pm.
  3. Independent Living residents in TE (no care plan) will be under the same restrictions as the other residents in order to minimize risk of COVID-19 entering the building.
  4. Personal laundry and housekeeping will be done in-house by Menno Place staff. Details to be worked out shortly. Please notify Reception if you have a personal housekeeper or have someone who provides personal laundry services for you.
  5. Lunch meal will be served at your Apartment suite door beginning Thursday, March 26th. Dining room will be closed to all. This is in place until further notice.
  6. Only one door will be open for you to use to enter and exit the building – the front door. This is so that we can monitor who is coming and going through our building.
  7. Practice Social Distancing. It will help you to figure this out if you imagine yourself already being infected. You don’t want to infect others, so you stay 6 feet away from them.
  8. Lounges, bistro and wellness areas are closed until further notice.
  9. Recreation and Chaplains are going to do a survey to see what you need and what you’d like to keep you going through this strange time when you are asked to stay in your apartment suite most of the time.
  10. Recreation will be providing fun stuff to do in your Apartment suite. Tune in on channel 10 next week. We are creating programs for you to enjoy.
  11. Recreation will be bringing a library and puzzle cart around for you to get new books and puzzles each week.
  12. The chaplains will be providing spiritual care on channel 10 and you can also ask them to come to your apartment door to connect with you.
  13. You can go for walks. Stay 6 feet away from anyone, including your friend who is walking with you. You can take your scooter out and drive around. When you go out, don’t touch anything.
  14. DO NOT go to Abbotsford Regional Hospital unless you have an appointment there.
  15. We encourage you to get your medication delivered from a pharmacy. Rexall in Pavilion is closed. Please arrange medication delivery by pharmacy to your suite.
  16. One person in the elevator at a time.
  17. The best thing you can do for your own safety and the safety of everyone else in this building is to stay in your own apartment suite. If you are driving, it’s time to stop going out.
  18. How do you get groceries and supplies? Recreation will bring a tuck cart to each floor every week with basic groceries such as milk, eggs, toilet paper, bread. If you need other groceries your family or friend can bring those to Reception. Billing for tuck cart will be direct to your monthly billing statement. No cash or credit. You can ask a friend or family member to deliver groceries to Reception.
  19. Soap kills this COVID-19 virus. Wash your hands OFTEN – before and after using the bathroom, eating, going out of your apartment for an appointment and when you get into your Apartment building – before you go to your own suite and AGAIN when you enter your suite.
  20. Recreation is starting a Buddy Phone System where you can pair up with somebody else in your apartment building to chat every once in a while.

Dining Service Change in all Apartments

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Effective March 26th, we will no longer be serving meals in the Dining Rooms. All meals will be served to the Apartment doors by our Dietary team. Residents are encouraged to practice social distancing which, like the rest of us, means staying in their own homes (their apartment suites).

Important Links for Menno Place Families and Friends

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All families and friends of Menno Place are invited to keep up to date.

 

 

Visitor Information Update – Menno Place: 03/19/2020

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Menno Home, Hospital & Apartments Visitor Rules:

Menno Place is in Lockdown – No Visitors

This means only staff of Menno Place are entering the buildings. This reduces the risk of the spread of COVID-19 to this most vulnerable population.

How to connect with your loved one:

  1. Call them on their phone
  2. Send them a message through our SEND YOUR LOVED ONE A MESSAGE online form: mennoplacelife.com/message-delivery
  3. Bring a delivery to Reception – we will deliver it for you – flowers, card, favorite snacks
  4. We are setting up SKYPE to connect with your loved one. More information to come.