Staff and Essential Caregiver Vaccine Booster

As of November 6, 2021 Essential Caregivers and Long-Term Care Staff are eligible to receive a COVID Booster Vaccination.

In order to book the vaccine, you must meet the following criteria:

1.     Your booster vaccination must be 6 months from the date of your 2nd  dose.
2.    Essential caregivers will be required to show a verification letter from the Home indicating you are an essential caregiver.  Letters of verification can be picked up at reception. 

Staff will be  required to show proof you are a staff member by showing your work badge.
  

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/  

Update -September 12, 2021

 Beginning on Monday, September 13, 2021, Ministry directives have changed to reflect an increase in antigen testing for unvaccinated staff and caregivers.  Vaccinated caregivers can show proof of vaccination to reception to be exempt from testing.  Unvaccinated caregivers must report to reception and are required to undergo testing every other day up to three times per week.  General visiting regulations remain the same, general visitors must be antigen tested prior to every visit.

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

 Essential Caregivers

* Caregivers are permitted between 8:00am-8:00pm
* Caregivers will continue to take a mask from the front vestibule, sign in the caregiver binder and screen at the front desk.
 *A badge will be given to fully immunized caregivers. This badge will allow access to dining areas/ recreation programs.
* Fully immunized caregivers that have shown proof of immunization are no longer required to have an antigen test before visiting. They can go directly to home area.
* Unimmunized caregivers must have an antigen test once a week and await results.
* Unimmunized and immunized caregivers are no longer required to wear a face shield.
* Caregivers that are visiting residents in isolation must wear full PPE.
* If a resident is in isolation, only one caregiver can visit at a time. .
  

Outdoor Visits

       
* Outdoor visits will be held in the DavisCourtyard area and can be booked by calling Ext 4241
* Caregivers/visitors are permitted to bring food to the visit for the resident’s consumption only. Due to the requirement for masking, caregivers/visitors are not permitted to eat/drink during a visit at this time both indoors and outdoors.
* Pets will be permitted for outdoor visits only provided a Pet Registration form is completed and proof of up-to-date vaccination is provided to the home in advance of the visit. It is the responsibilityof the pet owner to clean up after their pet as necessary.
* All visitors must sign in and pass screening before the visit begins. Visitors must bring a mask or be provided with a mask.
* Visitors/caregivers that are fully immunized and are able to show proof of 2nd dose (14 days past the date ofbeing immunized) can sit in close contact with resident during visit.
* If the visitor and or resident is not fullyimmunized, they must remain 2 meters apart
* Masks must be worn at all times; shields are not required 

General Visitors

 *General visitors are permitted between 8:00am-8:00pm and are able to visit in resident rooms on the home area.  

* Please keep in mind social distancing requirements while in the resident’s room. These visits no longer need to be booked by the POA of Care.
* General Visitors must take a mask from the vestibule, pass screening, sign in to the general visitor binder and report to the clinic to see if an antigen test is required.
* Unimmunized general visitors must report to clinic for an antigen test each time they come in and wait for results. If unimmunized visitors are unable to provide proper social distance between them and the resident, a shield is required.
* General visitors that can show proof that they have been fully immunized (14 days from the 2nd dose) do not need to get antigen tested. They can go directly to the home area after signing in at reception
*Shields are not required for immunized  general visitors.
* Fully immunized general visitors that are able to show proof of 2nd dose (14 days past the date ) are permitted to sit in close contact with resident if both resident and visitor are fully immunized.
*General visitors that are not fully immunized must stay 2 meters apart, brief hugs are permitted.
*General visitors 2 and under do not require an antigen test and are not required to wear a mask. General visitors 3 and up must be antigen tested and wear a mask.
*General visitors must be 14 years of age and older or must be accompanied by an adult.
* General visitors are not permitted when in an outbreak or resident is in isolation.

 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 are offered using Skype or Facetime.  If interested, please contact your loved ones home area and a Recreation Programmer can schedule your visit.     

ANTIGEN CLINIC HOURS

8 a.m. - 10:45 a.m.

Closed from 10:45 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

11:30 a.m.-5 p.m.

Closed from 5:00 p.m.-5:45 p.m.

5:45 p.m. - 8 p.m. 

Please note that the last test is offered at 7:30 p.m.  to allow for the clinic to close at 8 p.m.                 
              

Ministry of Long Term Care

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

COVID-19 Visiting Policy (EN)

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