Thank you for signing up as a Registered Visitor for a loved one at Menno Place

Thank you for your registration as a Registered Visitor for a loved one at Menno Place Apartments – Primrose Gardens, Terrace West or Pavilion. To date, we have 141 Registered Visitors! This leaves 74 residents without a Registered Visitor at this point. (Terrace East’s 96 residents are enjoying the support of our care staff). Our team’s next week of work will be to arrange support for these remaining 74 residents.

This email is a new communication initiative to assure you that we will continue to communicate with you as you continue to support your loved one.

As you realize, COVID-19 is most deadly to those over 80 years old, particularly if they have additional health issues. One in six over the age of 80 who contract COVID-19 will not survive. It is most likely that our residents would contract COVID-19 from a loved one who visits them. This is why we continue to ask you for your vigilant work in supporting the Registered Visitor program.

Communication: New Registered Visitor Webpage: www.MennoPlaceLife.com/Registered-Visitor

How will you know if Menno Place has COVID-19? We will post it on https://mennoplacelife.com/coronavirus/ through our Twitter.com/MennoPlaceAlert feed.

UPDATE: You may have read on the News that Worthington Cottage has COVID-19. This is only 1.6kms from Menno Place. In an effort to reduce any risk of transmission through staff, effective 03/04/20, our staff may only work for ONE employer.

We have increased our screening and protocols and ask you to do the same. Here are some action points for you, the Registered Visitor to follow in order to exercise caution and effective infection control.

Registered Visitor / Family Member – New Action Points for You

The goal of this program is to limit the risk that residents who live in Menno Place apartment buildings will contract COVID-19. We are doing this by limiting the number of people who enter the apartment building and requiring all who do to comply with vigilant protocols. We have hired security to ensure that only registered visitors enter the apartment.

ACTION – Masks: Please wear a mask when you visit AND supply a mask for your loved one. Cloth masks (homemade, bandanas, scarves) may be sufficient for the general public who are not dealing directly with COVID-19 patients. These are ok for this time. You must cover both mouth and nose.

ACTION – Encourage Covering Face and Nose – A memo will go out to the residents early this week encouraging them to cover both mouth and nose with a mask, scarf or bandana when they exit their apartment. Please support this initiative and encourage your loved one to cover their mouth and nose. We have observed that the seniors are not aware of the large space that is required by social distancing, particularly if they are hard of hearing. Coming within that droplet range endangers them and puts them at risk.

ACTION – Tuck Cart: The tuck cart will be in your loved one’s apartment building once per week. Priority for the items on this cart will be given to the residents who do not have registered visitors supplying them with groceries. This cart carries only the basics such as milk, bread, soap, toilet paper. Please connect with your loved one to ensure that they have staples to last them for a minimum of one week.

ACTION – Active Screening: Each time you visit or speak with your loved one, ASK your loved one the five active screening questions for COVID-19. Do this when you are with them in person AND on the phone. 
All Menno Place staff must answer these questions at the beginning and end of every shift.
ASK:
1. Do you have a fever?
2. Do you have a new or worsening cough?
3. Do you have a new or worsening sore throat?
4. Do you have a new or worsening sneezing?
5. Do you have a new or worsening shortness of breath?
You will find a poster on their door that lists these five questions. (See below)

It also lists the action if your loved one says YES to any of them:

Yes to Active Screening Questions?
Call 8-1-1 for COVID-19 Assessment OR
Do online assessment: Covid.Thrive.Health OR
Call 9-1-1 for Immediate Medical Attention
AND
Inform Menno Place of COVID-19 Symptoms: 604.851.4020 (Cheryl Dawes)

ACTION – Mail and Garbage – Many residents see these two errands as vital to their routines. We are asking you to do these tasks so that the resident will stay in their apartment and not touch surfaces. We do have enhanced cleaning throughout the apartment buildings (2x per day) where disinfectant is used to clean the most touched surfaces.

Frequency of Visits: This is a reminder that unless you are providing personal hygiene, the expected frequency of your visits will be once / week. Social visits must take place on the phone or through the internet.

Personal Hygiene: We are aware that there are residents whose personal hygiene services have been relinquished by the company that previously provided this care. Please call Cheryl Dawes, Manager, Community Enrichment (604.851.4020) if your loved one is in need of this level of support (showering).

Recreation and Spiritual Care Survey: Our Recreation team is going to each resident apartment and asking the resident(s) what they would enjoy for recreation on Channel 10 TV. They are also asking them about their needs, such as groceries, supplies and spiritual care. For those who have a Registered Visitor, we will be calling you to see if they have shared that with you as well and inform you of their needs.

Aware of someone in need? You may become aware of a senior in need. If you do, please call or email Cheryl Dawes (604.851.4020), Cheryl.Dawes@MennoPlace.ca

Cheryl Dawes,
Manager, Community Enrichment
Cheryl.Dawes@MennoPlace.ca
604.851.4020

Thank you for all you, the encouragement you bring along with kindness and joy.
Bless you this week,

Sharon Simpson
Director, Community Enrichment
Sharon.Simpson@MennoPlace.ca