July 21, 2022 - Outbreak Declared Over

Public Health has declared the COVID-19 outbreak over.  Please note the following changes:

·     Caregiver/ General Visiting will resume with mask and shield.
·     If a resident is in isolation N95 mask, shield and PPE must still be worn and only (1)caregiver can visit at a time.
·      Outdoor visits will resume, please call your home area Recreation Programmer to book your visit.
·      Social Absences will resume.
·      Please be sure to review the Education on the front board. Please practice good hand hygiene
·      If you are experiencing any symptoms do not visit, if you have tested positive for Covid-19 please let the home know immediately.  

Thank you for your continued support. 

 
       GENERAL VISITOR / CAREGIVER UPDATE
 
On April 11th, 2022, the Fixing Long Term Care Act, 2021 came into effect. In addition, the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care issued a guidance document around what constitutes fully vaccinated.  John Noble Home continues to follow the guidance and recommendations of the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care.
 
Effective Monday May 16th, 2022 to visit as a Caregiver or General Visitor you will be required to have three (3) doses of the Covid -19 Vaccine.
QR Codes are required to be shown at front reception when signing in.
·       Caregivers and General Visitors will continue to use the screening app and show proof of completion or be actively screened by reception.
·       Masks must be worn at all times.
·       Shields must be worn at all times on resident home areas. Shields can be removed off the home area – please be mindful of social distancing.
·       N95 Masks will still be required for those residents that are in isolation.  When a resident is in isolation only one (1) caregiver can visit at a time.
·       Outdoor visits can still be scheduled with the Recreation Department for those that do not have the required vaccinations.
·       Up to four(4) visitors can visit at a time. For outdoor visits more than four (4) please call Ext. 4241 to book.
·       Caregivers and General Visitors are able to utilize both the Dorothy Thompson Gardens and Davis Courtyard for walks and visiting.
 
·      As of May 16th, Caregivers will be required to test two (2) times a week.  Please be sure to wait for results in the clinic area before going to the home area.
·      General Visitors will be required to test each time they visit. Please be sure to wait for results in the clinic area before going to the home area.
·      Please continue to look monthly at the education board for IPAC education and for any updates.
  

 

April 27, 2022- The Outbreak on Cockshutt Place has been declared over  

 April 22, 2022 - The Outbreak on Brant Terrace has been declared over

April 19, 2022*- CONFIRMED- Covid-19 Outbreak on Cockshutt Place

Please note: If the resident you are visiting has tested positive, or is in isolation you are assuming an increased risk of Covid – 19 as the resident is not wearing a mask during your visit. 

The following changes apply to Cockshutt Place only:

• Only one (1) Caregiver can visit at a time in resident room. 
• Caregivers must wear full PPE with N95 mask and shield when visiting a resident in ISOLATION.
• Caregivers that are visiting a resident not in isolation must continue to wear mask and shield. 
• Please be sure to review the Education on the front board. Please practice good hand hygiene General visitors are only permitted to enter the home if resident is receiving end of life care ONLY. 
•  There will be no outdoor visits schedule while in outbreak.
• If you are experiencing any symptoms do not visit, if you have tested positive for Covid-19 please let the home know immediately.  
•  One to one recreation visits will be provided at this time. 

 
April 11, 2022 - Brant Terrace continues to be in a Covid- 19 Outbreak. General Visitors are not permitted at this time on Brant Terrace. One Caregiver can visit at a time during the Outbreak and must wear a N95 mask and full PPE while visiting.  

 

*NEW CHANGES EFFECTIVE MONDAY MARCH 14th, 2022*

Please read below changes effective March 14th with respect to Long Term Care Visitor, Absence and Social Gathering per the most recent update from the Ministry of Health Long Term Care.
 
VISITOR INFORMATION
 
·      All General Visitors and Caregivers will be required to continue to actively screen by either using our screening app and showing proof of completion to Receptionist or by being actively screened by the Receptionist upon arrival.
 
·      General Visitors and Caregivers will continue to be required to show proof of two doses of the COVID vaccine (2nddose must be 14 days past date received). Children under five (5) years of age are now able to visit and are exempt from showing proof of vaccination.  
 
·      On Wednesday April 20th,2022 a decision will be made regarding vaccination status for our visitors. This information will be communicated as soon as an update becomes available.
 
·      General Visitors and Caregivers will continue to rapid antigen test daily and will wait fifteen (15)minutes before going to visit their loved one. All individuals entering the Home over the age of one (1) must follow testing requirements. Verbal parental consent is required for antigen test.
 
 
·      Masks and Shields are still required at all times. Visitors two (2) years and older must wear a mask. A shield is required for visitors five (5) years and older. Full PPE and N95 masks are required when your loved one is in isolation or their home area is declared in an outbreak.
 
·      Four (4) visitors can visit at a time which can be a mix of both General Visitors and Caregivers.  Please note if your loved one is in isolation or home area is in Outbreak, only one (1) caregiver at a time is permitted to visit.  
 
·      A maximum of four (4) Caregivers may be designated per resident at a time. Caregivers that were designated prior to December 15th, 2021 may continue to be designated as a Caregiver even if this means the resident has more than four (4) designated caregivers.
 
 
·      For an outdoor visit, families must contact your Resident’s home area Recreation Programmer to set up a time to arrange a visit. The Recreation Programmer will bring your loved one down to visit in the Davis Courtyard. Please note testing is no longer required for outdoor visits. Visitors may bring their own mask or be provided with one by the Home. All residents will be provided a mask for your visit. We encourage social distancing during visits. Please indicate how many visitors when booking to ensure proper space can be provided. Outdoor visitors must screen with the screening app that is located outdoors at our front entrance.
 
 
·      General Visitors/ Caregivers may support their loved one in the dining room and or participate in recreation programs but must keep mask/shield on at all times.
 
·      In cases where a Resident is receiving end of life care, vaccination proof is not required. 4 visitors can be in the room at a time.
 
 
ABSENCES INFORMATION
 
·      Short Term -Social absencesare permitted for all residents regardless of their vaccination status. Pleasenote if a Resident is in isolation or home area is in Outbreak, social absencesare not permitted. Please call home area to communicate when a Resident isgoing out of residence. Testing requirements will vary depending on the numberof outings per week.
 
·      Temporary – Social (overnightor 2+ days) are permitted for all Residents regardless of their vaccinationstatus. Please note if resident is in isolation or home area is in an Outbreak,temporary absences are not permitted. Please call home area to communicate whena resident is going out. Testing requirements are based on the type of outingand the vaccination status of the resident.
 
 
SOCIAL GATHERINGS/PROGRAMS
 
·      Residents will continue to beprovided programming on their home areas. Program sizes of ten (10 or morepeople) are permitted but large group activities where crowding can occur willcontinue to be avoided.  Residents willstill be offered masks to wear while in program as tolerated. Home area outings(morning drives) will continue to be permitted. Church Service and Entertainmentwill still continue to be offered on each home area.
 
DINING
 
·      Caregivers and Visitors mayjoin Residents in dining areas to assist while remaining masked at all times.No food or drink consumption while in the dining area is permitted at thistime. Caregivers and Visitors are asked to remain seated in the dining areawith their loved ones.
 
 
 
 
 
   

*NEW CHANGES EFFECTIVE MONDAY FEBRUARY 21st, 2022* 

The Ministry of Long-Term Care will be easing a few of the temporary measures that have been put into place.
                    
·      The home will resume all general visitors 5 years and older who have had at least two COVID-19 vaccine doses. Children under 5 years of age would continue to be restricted from entering a long-term care home, except infants 12 months or younger. Please note if the  home area is in outbreak, general visits will be paused. *Only one caregiver visitor at a time during an outbreak or a resident is in isolation.
 
·      Increase limits on the number of visitors at a time to 3 this would include both caregivers and general visitors. * If the home area is in outbreak or a resident is in isolation, only one caregiver visitor can visit at a time.
 
·      Expand social day absences to all residents regardless of vaccination status. * Social absences are paused when a home area is in outbreak or resident is in isolation. Testing requirements will apply.
 
 ·      Resume overnight absence for residents who have had at least three COVID-19vaccine doses. * Overnight absences are paused when a home area is in outbreak or resident is in isolation. Isolation and testing requirements may apply to overnight absences.
 
·      Palliative care visits- will increase to 3 visitors at a time.  

 

*NEW March 1, 2022 - Grand Terrace Outbreak has been declared over.  

February 17, 2022 - Grand Terrace Declared in Covid-19 Outbreak

At the direction of Public Health the following changes have been implemented on this resident home area:

• Caregivers on Grand Terrace are limited to 1 in a resident room to visit and full PPE with N95 must be worn.
• Residents will receive 1-1 recreation programming
• There will be no outdoor visits schedule while in outbreak
• Social Day Absences will be paused for residents on Grand Terrace

February 10, 2022  Outbreak Declared Over

Public Health has declared the Covid-19 outbreak over at this time as a result the following changes are being implemented.

• Staff and Caregivers are  not required to wear a face shield with their surgical mask at this time, unless the resident they are visiting is in isolation.
• When a resident is in isolation, Caregivers must wear full PPE including an N95 and face shield  with a limit of one caregiver in the home at a time and outdoor visits will be suspended until the resident is out of isolation.
• Two Caregivers can visit at a time per resident unless the resident is in isolation.
• Day Absences for social reasons are permitted for residents who have received 3 or more doses of Covid-19 vaccination.
• Unvaccinated Caregivers may  visit residents outdoors with mask, face shield and antigen testing.  These visits can be schedule through the Recreation Programmers.

Feb.  7th  2022   

The Ministry of Long- Term Care will be easing a few of the temporary measures that have been put into place.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
·     Increasing the maximum number of designated caregivers per resident from 2 to 4 (unless designated before December 15th). Continue with limit of 2 caregivers visiting at a time per                           resident.  Please note while the home is in outbreak or your loved one is in isolation only 1 caregiver can visit at a time.
 
·     Resuming social day absences for residents who have had at least 3 COVID-19 vaccine doses.  Please note while the home is in outbreak social absences are paused.
 
·     Unvaccinated caregivers may visit residents outdoors in the Davis Ct. Courtyard. Unvaccinated caregivers must wear shield and mask and be antigen tested and must social distance during               visit.   Please book outdoor visit through Recreation Programmer.  Please note while the home is in outbreak outdoor visits are paused.
    

 

Jan. 28th 2022 - A message to our Families/Caregivers: 

 The Ministry of Long-Term Care has announced on Thursday January 27th at 2:57 pm that they have extended the Booster (3rd dose) covid vaccination deadline to March 14th. 

As well public health  notified us on Thursday January 27th at 3:30pm, effective immediately, Caregivers on all home areas except Grant Terrace are only required to wear a shield and surgical mask unless your loved one is in isolation a N95 mask will be required.
Please note the home continues to be in outbreak; however, all positive COVID cases are isolated to one home area. For up-to-date information on COVID cases please visit the link provided below to access the Brant County Health Unit-Outbreak Data

Just a reminder that caregiver visits must be had in resident’s room and only one caregiver can visit at a time.  Thank you for your continued support.

Brant County Health Unit COVID-19 Outbreak Data 

 

Jan. 26 2022 

The home has been directed by Public Health as of Thursday January 27, 2022 that all caregivers are required to bring in and wear a N95 mask. Universal N95 masks that do not require fit testing may be worn. 

 Jan. 2 2022 

 Public Health has declared an outbreak at the home as a result of a resident who has tested positive. We have been directed to put all outbreak measures in place at this time.   As a result, only one essential caregiver visit is permitted at a time. All caregivers must wear full PPE: mask, shield and gown. Please ensure that you maintain physical distancing. Essential caregivers will be required to antigen test and wait for results prior to visit.

Dec. 29 2021

Due to recent surges in the Omicron Variant, the following changes take effect December 30, 2021. 

• Entry into the Home by General Visitors has been paused, including outdoor visits. General visitors will continue to be permitted to enter the home to visit residents receiving end of life care ONLY
• Day absences for all residents for social purposes are paused.
• Essential absences for residents (i.e. medical/compassionate)will continue to be permitted, however returning residents will need to rapid antigen test for seven continuous days or PCR test on days 1 and 7.
• Residents that go on absences on a daily or frequent basis are to have a laboratory-based PCR test and rapid antigen test, on the same day, two times per week (for example, PCR and rapid test on Tuesday; and PCR and rapid antigen test on Friday).
• Designated caregivers are permitted with a maximum of two per resident at a time. 

 Caregiver and Visitor Guidelines - Dec. 16 2021

Effective immediately the Ministry of Long-Term Care has issued changes to Directives which govern visiting within the home.  

·       All General visitors must be fully vaccinated and show Vaccine QR Code upon entry (14 days past second dose)
·       General visitors that have a medical exemption must be able to show proof to management prior to visit. If approved these visits would be limited to the resident’s room on their home area.
·       All Caregivers must provide proof of their first vaccination by December 20th, 2021, with proof of second dose required by February21, 2022. A vaccine QR code must be provided upon                     every entry to the home.
·      All caregivers that are partially vaccinated must visit in their resident’s room.
·      Caregivers that have a medical exemption to vaccination must show proof to management prior to the visit. If approved these visits would be limited to resident’s room only.
·      A maximum of two people (caregivers and general visitors) per resident at a time are allowed for indoor visits.
·      All common rooms have a limit of one resident and two visitors at any given time. 

·       There is a maximum of four people (caregivers and general visitors) per resident are allowed at a time for outdoor visits. Outdoor visits are still permitted (when feasible) for unvaccinated                 individuals and can be pre-booked through Recreation Programmers on your home area. Please note antigen testing is still required for outdoor visits and Visitors must wear a mask and face           shield at all times.  Social distancing must be maintained.
·      Caregivers and general visitors are required to wear shields at all times in the building. Please be sure to write your name clearly on your shield. Clean after use and properly store in bag that            is provided.
·      Caregivers and General Visitors will be assigned a badge from reception that must be worn during the visit.  General Visitors will be assigned a green badge, fully vaccinated Caregivers will be          assigned a yellow badge and partially vaccinated caregivers will be assigned a blue badge.
·      When a resident is in isolation, only one caregiver is permitted at a time full PPE must be worn at all times.  

Caregiver/General Visitor Testing Requirements

·       All General visitors must antigen test each time they come into visit and wait for results at the clinic.
·       Caregivers are required to antigen test upon entry at our clinic prior to visiting and must wait for results, unless the Caregiver tested negative the day before. Caregivers must test a                               minimum  of two times a week, if visiting more than once a week.
·       Testing is not required for infants under the age of one.
·       Children aged 1-5 years are unable to visit at this time as they are not able to be vaccinated.
·       Children aged 5-12 years who are visiting are required to be fully vaccinated and antigen tested on entry to the Home.  Parents must be present for consent to testing.  A vaccine QR code                   must be shown each time on entry to the Home.
·       As of December 2021, Caregivers are eligible for the Booster at 84 days after their second dose. A letter confirming that they are a Caregiver will be required to receive the Booster.  This                   letter is available at reception. 

·       All Caregivers/General Visitors are required to show their QR vaccination code upon entry
·       A new Screening tool will be available at the front entrance.  If you do not have a cell phone to scan screening QR code to complete screening process, IPad’s will be available to use. 

Recreation

·      Will be returning to dining/program co-horts and will be discontinuing all large group activities.
·      Small group programs will continue for all residents regardless of immunization status.
·       Fully vaccinated caregivers are welcome to join small group programs given that proper social distance can be accommodated and room occupancy guidelines are followed. 

Resident Absences

·       Day absences- Day absences for social purposes are permitted for fully vaccinated residents only with additional testing required upon return. 
·       Overnight absences - Overnight absences for social purposes are being suspended, regardless of vaccination status. Residents who wish to leave the Home overnight for social purposes will              need to follow the appropriate discharge process and their bed is released to the LHIN. Essential, medical and compassionate and palliative absences are still permitted, regardless of                            vaccination status. 

Palliative Visits

·      After February 21, 2022 ,unvaccinated caregivers will only be able to enter the Home to visit residents receiving end of life care.  

Vaccine Passport/Vaccine Records

Please be advised that staff are able to provide POA/SDM’s with the heath card information required (number, version code and the number on the back of the card) in order to access a record of vaccination/vaccination passport. The home will not be providing copies of these documents due to privacy regulations as well as the province is moving to a QR code system. We have provided the link to assist you in obtaining this information:  https://covid-19.ontario.ca/get-proof/  

 Thanks for your continued support and cooperation to help keep our residents safe 

 Just a reminder that visiting hours are from 8:00 until 7:45pm. Reception closes at 8:00pm, please come down earlier so reception is available to assist you if needed when signing out. 

Virtual Visiting

Virtual Visits can be arranged by contacting the Recreation Programmer on your Home Area.

Ministry of Long Term Care

 John Noble Home COVID Protocol Policy 

Ministers Directive _COVID-19 Long-Term Care Home Surveillance Testing 

Visitors to the Home During the Covid-19 Pandemic

LTCH_HPPA

Advocating for Long Term Care

LTC Chronicles Podcast presented by the Family Councils Collaborative Alliance (FCCA), March 2021, featuring Dr. Janice Legere, Medical Director of John Noble Home

Podcast is also available on Sound Cloud  https://soundcloud.com/user-384632250 

Medical Director, Dr. Janice Legere has had two published opinion pieces in the Hamilton Spectator. 

'We already have the roadmap on how to make long term care a home', Hamilton Spectator, 05/26/2020

'Virus vs. Visitors-why long term care needs a palliative approach', Hamilton Spectator, 07/27/2020