October 16, 2021 – TERRACE WEST (IL) OUTBREAK – COVID positive = 3

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COVID UPDATE – October 16, 2021 – Terrace West Called on Outbreak

NEW COVID POSITIVE CASES = 0

TOTAL COVID POSITIVE CASES = 3 (3 residents TW | 0 staff)

MOST RECENT COVID CASE = October 13

One is in hospital. Please pray for his recovery.

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This morning, the mobile COVID testing team from Fraser Health came to swab the residents who were identified by Public Health as requiring swabbing (see memo below). Leonard Klassen, Sharon Simpson and Trish Giesbrecht provided the support to bring residents to the bistro for the COVID swab. The team was very efficient and had the swabs completed by 10am! Results will be given to the residents by Public Health. Families, please report these results to Leonard Klassen – 604.851.4006 or to Reception: 604.851.4004. If you have your loved one’s date of birth and personal health number, you can check results by going to this link: https://results.bccdc.ca/

It was very meaningful to us to hear the resident’s express their gratitude for the onsite swabbing and the care for their safety that we are providing for them by following the Provincial Health Orders. There were many good conversations and plenty of laughs as we navigated the morning. Staff who worked in Terrace West are getting swabbed at the community site.

We now have a Fraser Health staff member who is working each day from 10am – 6pm who will be delivering the morning snack, the lunch and will be doing the wellness check each day. The wellness check is asking each resident if they have any symptoms on the COVID symptom list.

We will likely have another point-prevalence testing in 7 days. Please note that there is now a gargle option available for residents. They cannot have any food or drink for 60 minutes prior to the test. We will add this to a memo to the residents in the coming week.

The memo, below, outlines the expectations of visitors and essential visitors as we move forward in this outbreak. If you are concerned about your loved one, please phone Trish Giesbrecht, 604.851.4020. She will discuss essential visitor designation with you. Cheryl Dawes is on vacation for another week. Please pray for her as she recuperates from her daily work during both the TE and TW outbreaks.

Thank you for the calls and letters of support. We are grateful for your encouragement and grateful to be of service.
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This memo was handed out to the residents yesterday at the end of the day.
 
MEMO
Date: October 15, 2021
To: Terrace West (IL) Residents re: Terrace West on Outbreak
______________________________________________________________

We are sorry to inform you that there are three Terrace West residents diagnosed with COVID-19. The Terrace West apartment building has been declared on Outbreak. This means that there are specific enhanced infection control protocols that need to be followed to ensure that COVID does not spread further.

What does it mean for those on isolation? All residents who were in contact with a COVID positive resident have already been placed on isolation and are being tested for COVID. They must continue to isolate (no leaving the apartment suite) and wait for direction from the Public Health Officer. They have a cart outside their apartment door and anyone entering must wear full personal protective equipment.

Residents on 2nd and 4th floors – All residents on these floors will be tested for COVID on Saturday, October 16th. We will notify you when it is your turn to come down to the Bistro for your COVID swab. These residents are not on isolation at this time.

Additional residents to receive COVID testing – In addition, residents who were in proximity to a COVID positive resident will be tested for COVID. You will be notified by Menno Place if you are to be tested. These residents are not on isolation at this time.

What about those who are not on isolation? If you are not on isolation, you are asked to follow all enhanced infection control protocols wearing a mask when you are with anyone else, practicing hand hygiene, staying in your suite as much as possible and staying 6 feet apart from others. Don’t visit in each other’s apartment suites. This also means answering a wellness check, twice a day asking if you have any COVID symptoms. Your noon meal will be delivered to your apartment suite.

What about visitors? Only essential visitors may enter this apartment building or your suite. The Medical Health Officer has to approve anyone to be an essential visitor. The process for application and approval is to phone Trish Giesbrecht, Nurse Manager to explain the situation – 604.851.4020. Loved ones can enter the foyer to drop-off essential items such as groceries to you.

Essential Support Services: If you receive home support services to assist you with activities of daily living (getting ready in the morning or night, showering, medicine) from Fraser Health, carry on as usual. If another organization provides you services, please notify Reception (604.851.4004) to ensure they are permitted entry. No unvaccinated service providers permitted.

Can residents who are not isolated go out? Yes. You may leave the apartment building. This includes walks around the Menno Place campus or going out with a loved one. It also includes medical appointments. We are advising you not to go to public places or where groups gather. This includes avoiding grocery stores, the shopping mall and church services. This virus is very contagious and the elderly are the most vulnerable to it. Use all your layers of protection: mask, hand washing, 6 feet distance.

October 14, 2021 – TERRACE WEST (IL) OUTBREAK – COVID positive = 3

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COVID UPDATE – October 14, 2021 – Terrace West Called on Outbreak

NEW COVID POSITIVE CASES = 3

TOTAL COVID POSITIVE CASES = 3 (3 residents TW | 0 staff)

MOST RECENT COVID CASE = October 13

There are three COVID positive residents of Terrace West. One is in hospital. We worked today with the team in Terrace East to put individuals who have been exposed on isolation. Meals are delivered to resident’s apartment suites. If a resident could put out a small table or chair outside of their door, the dining team would appreciate this as a place to drop off the meal. As we prepare for swabbing (2nd and 4th floor as well as all who were in close contact with a COVID positive resident), the dietary team will not be able to hand the meal to the resident. It is difficult for a resident to pick a meal up off the floor, so this request is for a surface that will make it easier for the resident to get their meal.

Please pray for the seniors as they hear about this outbreak. We will put together a Memo for them tomorrow morning. Please pray for our team as we enter another outbreak. This is a dangerous time for our seniors as the DELTA variant of the virus is so very contagious and our seniors are vulnerable to the virus.

We have only just heard of the Outbreak status. We will communicate more fully tomorrow with answers to questions that you may have, such as essential deliveries and essential medical appointments.

MEMO – TERRACE WEST RESIDENTS (IL) – October 13, 2021

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This memo was handed out to residents of Terrace West on October 13, 2021

MEMO

Date:              October 13, 2021

To:                  Terrace West Residents

Re:                 COVID EXPOSURE – TERRACE WEST

COVID EXPOSURE – TERRACE WEST

A resident of Terrace West has been identified as COVID positive. Those in contact with the resident have been swabbed for COVID and are waiting for their test results.

While we wait for the test results and direction from Public Health, the dining room will be closed.

Your meals will be delivered to your apartment suite until further notice.

You may continue to go out and have visitors in your suite. Wear a mask at all times. Use hand sanitizer frequently and wash hands with warm, soapy water often.

It is time now to reduce your contact with people – keep your circle small. Visit with others on the phone instead of in person.

This is a good time to reduce your outings to essential outings only, such as groceries or medical appointments. Choose to watch church online or on Channel 10 again.

If you do go to church, wear a mask the entire time. Stay 6 feet apart from others. The prevalence of the Delta variant of COVID is very high in our community and it is very contagious.

No unvaccinated people are permitted inside the apartment buildings, including your family members, housekeepers, service providers or friends.

Do you have any of these COVID symptoms – even mildly? Get tested for COVID and let us know: Reception: 604.851.4004

Fever or chills? Cough? Unproductive cough?
Sore throat? Runny nose? Extreme fatigue or tiredness?
Body aches? Muscle aches? Diarrhea?
Difficulty breathing? Loss of sense of smell or taste?
Loss of appetite? Headache? Nausea or vomiting?

September 29, 2021 – TERRACE WEST (IL) OUTBREAK – New COVID positive = 0 (T=1)

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COVID UPDATE – September 29, 2021 – Terrace West Outbreak

NEW COVID POSITIVE CASES = 0

TOTAL COVID POSITIVE CASES = 1 (1 residents TW | 0 staff)

MOST RECENT COVID CASE = September 22, 2021

There are no new cases of COVID to report today in Terrace West. Terrace West outbreak protocols continue – no social visitors. Only essential visitors permitted in the resident apartments. Please connect with Cheryl Dawes, Manager, Community Enrichment (604.851.4020) if you would like to speak about a concern with your loved one and their specific circumstances.

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The residents who were swabbed and put on isolation as a result of contact tracing from the Terrace West index case are no longer on isolation!! Families have been contacted.

NOTE – Some residents remain on isolation. Residents on isolation due to a return from Hospital or due to COVID symptoms are not released from isolation in this announcement. You will receive individual information that pertains to your loved one.

We continue with the Outbreak orders by the Medical Health Officer including no social visitors, lunch served to each apartment suite and no gathering of residents. Essential deliveries can be brought into the foyer of Terrace West and the resident may meet you in the foyer to pick up deliveries.

If you were (in the past) a Registered Visitor, please note that this program is no longer active. There are no social visitors allowed in Terrace West.

September 28, 2021 – TERRACE WEST (IL) OUTBREAK – New COVID positive = 0 (T=1)

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COVID UPDATE – September 28, 2021 – Terrace West Outbreak

NEW COVID POSITIVE CASES = 0

TOTAL COVID POSITIVE CASES = 1 (1 residents TW | 0 staff)

MOST RECENT COVID CASE = September 22, 2021

There are no new cases of COVID to report today in Terrace West. Residents swabbed and put on isolation as a result of contact tracing from the Terrace West index case are no longer on isolation!! Families have been contacted.

NOTE – Some residents remain on isolation. Residents on isolation due to a return from Hospital or due to COVID symptoms are not released from isolation in this announcement. You will receive individual information that pertains to your loved one.

We continue with the Outbreak orders by the Medical Health Officer including no social visitors, lunch served to each apartment suite and no gathering of residents. Essential deliveries can be brought into the foyer of Terrace West and the resident may meet you in the foyer to pick up deliveries.

If you were (in the past) a Registered Visitor, please note that this program is no longer active. There are no social visitors allowed in Terrace West.

September 24, 2021 – TERRACE WEST (IL) OUTBREAK – New COVID positive = 0 (T=1)

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COVID UPDATE – September 24, 2021 – Terrace West Outbreak

NEW COVID POSITIVE CASES = 0

TOTAL COVID POSITIVE CASES = 1 (1 residents TW | 0 staff)

There are no new cases of COVID to report today in Terrace West. All of the residents who were put on isolation by Public Health due to contact tracing have been swabbed and all tests have returned negative. These residents remain on isolation and await further instruction from the Medical Health Officer as they have been directly exposed to a COVID positive individual.

Here is the memo that will be delivered to Terrace West residents today. It will answer many of the questions that you may have about how you can support your loved one living in Terrace West.

MEMO
Date:             September 24, 2021
To:                  Terrace West (IL) Residents re: Terrace West on Outbreak
______________________________________________________________

We are sorry to inform you that a resident of Terrace West was diagnosed with COVID-19. The Terrace West apartment building has been declared on Outbreak. This means that there are specific enhanced infection control protocols that need to be followed to ensure that COVID does not spread further.

What does it mean for those on isolation? All residents who were in contact with the COVID positive resident have already been placed on isolation have all tested negative for COVID. They must continue to isolate and wait for direction from the Medical Health Officer. They have a cart outside their apartment door and anyone entering must wear full personal protective equipment.

What about those who are not on isolation? If you are not on isolation, you are asked to follow all enhanced infection control protocols wearing a mask when you are with anyone else, practicing hand hygiene, staying in your suite as much as possible and staying 6 feet apart from others. Don’t visit in each other’s apartment suites. This also means answering a Fraser Health nurse who will ask you twice a day if you have any COVID symptoms. Your noon meal will be delivered to your apartment suite.

What about visitors? Only essential visitors may enter this apartment building or your suite. The Medical Health Officer has to approve anyone to be an essential visitor. The process for application and approval is to phone Cheryl Dawes, Manager, Community Enrichment to explain your situation – 604.851.4020. Anyone who doesn’t live with you is considered a visitor including housekeepers, family, friend. Loved ones can enter the foyer to drop-off essential items such as groceries to you.

Home Support Services: If you receive home support services to assist you with activities of daily living (getting ready in the morning or night, showering, medicine) from Fraser Health, carry on as usual. If another organization provides you services, please notify Reception (604.851.4004) to ensure they are permitted entry as an essential service.

Can residents who are not isolated go out? Yes. You may leave the apartment building. This includes walks or going out with a loved one. It also includes medical appointments. This is a time to be cautious about going where there are large groups (stores, restaurants or church). This virus is very contagious and the elderly are still the most vulnerable to it. Use all your layers of protection: mask, hand washing, 6 feet distance.

September 14, 2021 – MEMO for Independent Living Residents: Primrose Gardens, Terrace West, Pavilion

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This memo was distributed on September 12, 2021 to residents living in Primrose Gardens, Terrace West and Pavilion

There are 2 COVID positive residents in Terrace East. As a result, new Public Health Orders are in place for Terrace East that include droplet precautions for residents on the 5th and 6th floors (as well as COVID testing) and no social visits or outings for any residents in Terrace East.

One COVID positive resident was returned from Abbotsford Regional Hospital after receiving a COVID swab but BEFORE they received the results. They found out later that they are COVID positive. This created risk for others (residents and staff) to contract COVID.

As a result, we have created a poster that we will put on every apartment door that tells your loved ones who to call if you need to go to hospital or are discharged from hospital. This includes a short visit to the Emergency Room. We can only ensure COVID protocols are in place if we know that you are returning to your home at Menno Apartments.

The risk of getting COVID in the community has now increased as COVID is spreading in Abbotsford. We strongly recommend that you do not go out unless it is essential for you to do so – like seeing your doctor. This includes re-thinking whether or not you will attend church. If others aren’t wearing masks at church, the risk of contracting COVID increases.

If you do go out, wear a mask at all times. Cover your nose and mouth. Stay 6 feet away from others. Sanitize your hands frequently. The medical masks in the foyer are the best safeguard masks for you and are the best protection for those around you as well. Don’t come to the dining room for meals if you don’t feel well. Call Reception to arrange your meal.

It is also mandatory for you to wear a mask within your apartment building and in your apartment suite if you are with someone else. This is an added layer of protection for you from this very contagious Delta variant of COVID. Vaccine is not 100% protection, but it is the BEST protection against severe illness, hospitalization and death. There are still fully vaccinated individuals contracting COVID and going to intensive care. Of the fully vaccinated in ICU, the majority of them are over 70 years old. This is still a dangerous illness for the elderly, especially for those who have multiple health issues.

We are pleased to remind you that we have a very high percentage of fully vaccinated residents and staff. We are finding in the Menno Home outbreak that the severity of the symptoms is significantly less for those vaccinated than for the unvaccinated. This is very good news. It reminds us, however, that it is essential to report even the mildest of symptoms to the nursing team or to Reception. See below for list of symptoms.

If you are unvaccinated, your risk of contracting COVID is 11 times greater than the vaccinated. Menno Place residents and staff were vaccinated with Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine which is 88% effective against symptomatic disease and 96% effective against hospitalization. We did get our vaccine some time ago, so the efficacy of it has decreased. Use ALL your layers of protection! Get vaccinated if you are able to!

If you have any symptoms (below) that are new to you or getting worse, call 604.587.3936 and book a COVID swab test for yourself at 32470 Haida Drive, Abbotsford, BC.

If you are unsure if you should be tested, call the Fraser Health Virtual Care Team at 1-800-314-0999 between 10am and 10pm seven days a week to talk about your situation. Be sure to tell the Receptionist (604.851.4000) or myself if you are going for a COVID swab test.

If you have any questions, please call me,

Cheryl Dawes, Manager, Community Enrichment – 604.851.4020

 

Do you have any of these COVID symptoms – even mildly? Get tested!

 

Fever or chills? Cough? Unproductive cough?
Sore throat? Extreme fatigue or tiredness?
Body aches? Muscle aches? Diarrhea?
Difficulty breathing? Loss of sense of smell or taste?
Loss of appetite? Headache?
Nausea or vomiting?  

Poster:

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

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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

 

JUNE 24, 2021 – INDEPENDENT LIVING: PRIMROSE GARDENS, PAVILION, TERRACE WEST – CHANGE TO SOCIAL VISITS

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JUNE 24, 2021 – INDEPENDENT LIVING: PRIMROSE GARDENS, PAVILION, TERRACE WEST – CHANGE TO SOCIAL VISITS

This memo was delivered to residents of Independent Living buildings on June 23, 2021

MEMO

Date:         June 18, 2021
To:              All Primrose Gardens, Terrace West and Pavilion Residents
Re:             New Guidelines and More Ways to Visit
________________________________________________________________________

Dear Residents of Primrose Gardens, Terrace West and Pavilion,

We are delighted to share that almost all residents have now received both of their COVID vaccines. In Pavilion and Terrace West 94% of residents have had both vaccines and in Primrose Gardens it’s 91%. This is great news and it means that we can open up some new guidelines and ways to visit.

  1. Masks for Residents – Residents in independent living are strongly recommended to wear their mask in common areas (hallways, elevators, lobbies, stairwell, laundry). Stay safe, the COVID variant can be fatal for the elderly, even to those who have double-dose vaccination.
  2. Masks for Visitors: Non-residents MUST wear masks in all common spaces in all apartment buildings. If you go out into the community you still need to follow the current Public Health Orders. Masks are required in all public buildings.
  3. Visiting other Residents – Starting today you can visit up to three residents in one suite. Keep your group consistent. Terrace East, Menno Home, Menno Hospital require pre-booked visits and all visitors to those buildings must wear a mask at all times.
  4. Booking a visit in Terrace East – Visitors to Terrace East are required to book their visit 48-hours in advance. You can book your visit online at MennoPlaceLife.com or by phone with Diana at (604) 853-2411 extension 2466.

Thank you for working with us to keep everyone safe!
Sincerely,

Cheryl Dawes
Manager of Community Enrichment

Fire Education Meeting Notes

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David Janzen, Building Services & Emergency Response Coordinator, has been educating residents in each independent and assisted living buildings about what to do in case of a fire in their suite, and what to do if they hear fire bells.
We wanted to share the full notes that David went over at each lunch meeting and provide some visual awareness of where their emergency placard is in each building suite type.

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