MEMO TO INDEPENDENT LIVING RESIDENTS – COVID PROTOCOL UPDATE
MEMO HANDED TO ALL INDEPENDENT LIVING RESIDENTS APRIL 1, 2021
(Primrose Gardens, Terrace West, Pavilion)
**EDIT: Dining Room Times
Lunch : 11:30 – 12:00 – Coffee & Tea Service
12:00: Meal Service Begins
MEMO
Date: April 1, 2021
To: Independent Living
Re: Dining Together, Visits, Leonard & Scott
________________________________________________________________________
Dining Together Once Again
Effective today, residents of Pavilion, Terrace West and Primrose Gardens will be dining together once again in the dining room. ** See meal time edit at top of page
Please wear your mask when you are in the hallways, elevator or seated (not yet eating) in the dining room. This will reduce the risk of spreading COVID should it be present.
We acknowledge that this change will increase the risk of a COVID outbreak in Independent Living. However, the consensus is that the benefits of being together will outweigh these risks.
The majority of residents living in the Independent Living Apartments have had one dose of the Pfizer-BionTech vaccine, providing more than 80% protection from COVID.
Should there be a COVID outbreak (one staff or one resident who is COVID positive and has impacted the facility), we will immediately stop dining together and return to delivery of meals to your apartment.
If you have not been vaccinated and wish to continue to have your meals delivered to your apartment, please phone Reception and we will make this provision for you.
What about visits in my apartment – are there changes taking place?
Dr. Bonnie Henry announced that visitors are once again allowed in Assisted Living apartments and Long-term Care Homes. As Independent Living Apartment residents, you have been allowed at least one Registered Visitor since March of 2020. This is a program that has proven to provide a great deal of support and protection for you. There has not been a confirmed instance of COVID transmission in Pavilion, Terrace West or Primrose Gardens from a Registered Visitor during this entire pandemic lockdown! This is a GREAT SUCCESS!
With this in mind, we will continue the Registered Visitor program until residents in these apartments have had an opportunity to receive a 2nd dose of vaccine. Following that, we will re-visit this decision to evaluate the next steps for visitors in these apartments.
We continue to caution you about going out into the community. The COVID rates are at an all-time high in our communities. Fraser Health is now offering COVID vaccine to people ages 55-65 years old – please inform your loved ones in this age group, especially your Registered Visitors that they may get vaccinated immediately.
If you have not been vaccinated and wish to be, please book your vaccination appointment online. If you need assistance, please call your loved one or Brenda at Primrose Gardens Reception @ 604 851 4000
Do you need more support?
Are you thinking that you may want more support in your day-to-day life? We have apartment suites available at Terrace East Assisted Living that no longer require a 14-day isolation if you move where you receive additional nursing care and a 24/7 call bell. Call Cheryl Dawes, Manager, Community Enrichment if you are interested: 604.851.4020
Have you met Leonard Klassen, our new Life Enrichment Coordinator?
Leonard has been with Menno Place for two months and is working with seniors as they choose to move to Menno Apartments. Leonard was previously a pastor at King Road Mennonite Brethren Church. He is full of life and energy. If you see him, say ‘hi’.
Do you have friends who are thinking of moving to a place like this? Now is the time! Leonard has phoned through our waitlist and apartment suites are still available in every one of the apartment buildings. There used to be a 2 year waitlist, but at this time, it is possible to move in within several weeks.
Leonard’s Phone: 604 851 4006 / Email: Leonard.Klassen@mennoplace.ca
Our “new” chaplain – Scott McKenzie
Scott McKenzie will be our chaplain in The Apartments while John Dyck is off for surgery. Scott pastored at the Vineyard Church and is a finishing carpenter. He loves to play his guitar and will be ministering in The Apartments for the next six weeks until John returns.
Need to arrange a chaplain visit: 604 851 7392
Recreation – Good News!
We are excited that the Recreation team will be bringing you additional activities – in small groups in the next few weeks. More details to come!
Cheryl Dawes
Manager of Community Enrichment
604 851 4020
