UDPATE: Masks Are Now Optional for Residents

/in , , , ,

Effective April 27, 2022 residents will have the choice of whether or not to wear their mask when they are in the common spaces of the apartment building.

Although we will no longer ask residents to put a mask on, we do recommend that they wear a mask as an additional layer of protection from this very infectious variant of COVID. Their decision to wear a mask or not should be based on how “at-risk” they are for severe illness if they contract COVID. Residents can figure out their risk by filling out this worksheet.

On the risk assessment page you will see a list of “at-risk” conditions along with a chart that indicates how  age, gender and number of vaccinations factor into the risk of hospitalization. The average fully vaccinated female who is over 80 years of age with 2 at-risk conditions will have a 2.9% risk of severe COVID and hospitalization. A male in the same category has a 3.9% risk of severe COVID and hospitalization.

The highest risk is for those who are unvaccinated where the risk of severe illness and hospitalization is as high as 83.7%. If a resident has not yet been vaccinated, consider how the risk of severe COVID can be as low as 1.1% if they are fully vaccinated and have no “at-risk” conditions. Once the risk percentage has been calculated, residents can make an informed decision about how many layers of protection they will use to keep safe from COVID. Layers of protection include hand sanitizing, mask wearing, social distancing (6 feet) and vaccination, including the 4th booster shot.

The highest risk of contracting COVID is when a resident and another individual are without masks and within 6 feet from each other. This can happen in the elevator, at the dining room table, playing pool, in a car, at church and passing each other or talking in the hallway. If a resident is concerned about their own safety in any of these situations, it’s safest to wear a  mask. It is a good choice, no matter what others are doing.

Visitors, family, friends, contracted help and all staff must continue to wear masks inside the apartment buildings and when providing residents with personal care. Unvaccinated visitors are not permitted to visit inside the apartment buildings.

Please report any symptoms of COVID to the Receptionist.

Volunteer Week 2022 #EmpathyinAction

/in , ,

It’s been two years since we had to close our doors to our precious volunteers and we’re thrilled to welcome back such an integral part of our team and community! Our volunteers help residents thrive socially, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Welcome back and thank you for putting #EmpathyInAction!

Read more

4th COVID Booster Coming to Menno Place

/in , , , , ,

We are excited to hear that Dr. Bonnie Henry has promised a 4th COVID-19 vaccine dose for those 70 and older as well as for vulnerable individuals.

Dr. Bonnie Henry made the announcement on April 5th that a fourth shot will be provided to those who are considered clinically extremely vulnerable. “This is a really important measure for us, said Dr. Bonnie Henry. “We know that the older we are, the sooner the [COVID-19] antibodies will wane”.

We expect that the fourth dose will be made available to the residents and tenants at Menno Place during the month of April.

A fourth dose is not being recommended at this time for the remainder of the population.

Proof of Vaccination Still Required for Visiting

/in , , , , , ,

As you may have heard, it was announced yesterday that as of Friday April 8th, the BC vaccine passport will no longer be required. Meaning that as of Friday anyone will be permitted to go to restaurants, movie theatres, indoor concert and sports venues, and anywhere else that the provincial vaccine card was previously required.

It is important to note however, that there have not been any changes announced for the requirements to visit in Long Term Care and Assisted Living.

As such, proof of vaccination will continue to be required in order to gain entry to visit residents and tenants at Menno Place.

If you are planning to visit a resident or tenant, please be prepared to show your proof of vaccination along with verifying identification to the screener upon arrival. If you do not have a vaccine passport, you may show your vaccine card or other documentation as proof.

Please also note that masking and rapid testing protocols remain unchanged at this time.

Updated Visitation Guidelines for Long Term Care and Assisted Living

/in , , ,

As previously announced, the BC Ministry of Health has put out new guidelines for visiting in Long Term Care and Assisted Living. These guidelines officially began on Mar 18th but here at Menno Place we’ve been already been enjoying these changes for the last week.

Are there any additional changes to what was announced on March 11th? Yes:

  • At home testing – LTC visitors have the option to complete their rapid test at home prior to coming on campus. On site testing is also available. If you choose to test at home we recommend putting the date on your test and taking a photo on your cellphone to show the host when you arrive. (At home testing is not currently an option for Terrace East.)
  • Masks can be removed in single resident rooms. Masks must be worn in all common areas and shared rooms.
  • Assisted Living residents can choose a designated visitor. Designated visitors are able to visit at all times, even in the event of an outbreak. (LTC residents already have designated visitors.)

You can find the full set of changes that went into effect on March 11th by clicking here.

12 Days of Christmas Livestream on Menno TV! #2 #3

/in , ,

Best Website with Crack Program:

What is your risk of COVID-19 Hospitalization?

/in , ,

Check out this chart that was created by the BC Ministry of Health – download the PDF Worksheet here.

How to use the chart:

1. Identify the number of risk-conditions that you have from this list:

At-Risk Conditions – Chronic Disease Dashboard (BCCDC.CA)
  • Cancer
  • Cardiovascular disease
  • Cerebrovascular disease
  • Chronic kidney disease
  • Chronic respiratory disease (eg: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, pulmonary hypertension, bronchiectasis)
  • Diabetes
  • Down syndrome
  • Hypertension
  • Immunosuppression and immunodeficiency
  • Obesity (BMI >30)
  • Organ transplant
  • Pregnancy
  • Sickle cell disease
  • Substance use (eg: injection drug use, problematic alcohol use)
  • Schizophrenia and psychotic disorders

Find more information on Risk Factors for Severe COVID-19 Disease: CLICK HERE

2. Find the appropriate cell on the chart that identifies:

  • # of risk conditions
  • your gender
  • your age
  • your number of vaccine doses

Examples:

A 55 year old woman with diabetes and 2 vaccinations has a 1.6% risk of COVID-19 hospitalization. If she were to get her booster shot, she would decrease her risk by 50% to 0.8%.

A 30 year old man living with substance abuse, hypertension and obesity (3 at-risk conditions) and zero vaccinations has a 25.2% risk of COVID-19 hospitalizations. He could reduce that risk to 3.6% with a full course of vaccinations (3 doses).

An 99 year old man with 3+ at-risk conditions and 0 doses of vaccine has an 83.7% risk of COVID-19 hospitalization. This could be reduced to 12.7% with a full course of vaccinations (3 doses).

Who is at greatest risk?

The highest risk for COVID-19 hospitalization is for the 80+ individuals who have 3+ at-risk conditions. This represents many of the people for whom we provide care at Menno Place.