PANDEMIC UPDATE:

November 20, 2020

The Ministry of Health has updated guidance on surveillance testing effective Monday, November 23, 2020.

These updates include mandatory weekly COVID-19 testing for all staff and essential caregivers for regions in the Orange-Restrict, Red-Control or Lock-down levels.  Additionally, Essential Caregivers are now required to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test result prior to entering the Home.

Brantford and Brant County has entered the Orange- Restrictive Level of the Provincial governments framework for keeping Ontario safe. 

This means that for the time being:

1.  All general indoor/outdoor visits have been cancelled.

2.  Short Stay Absences will only be approved for medical appointments.

3.  Essential Caregivers may continue to visit but only one caregiver in a Residents room at a time. 

Visiting Information

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.     

Essential Caregivers

The Ministry of Long Term care has made changes to the Essential Caregiver directive.
Each resident may assign two individuals to be considered Caregivers. Following certain criteria and restrictions, Caregivers may visit residents within the home. Please note that the caregiver designation must be decided upon by the resident and /or the POA of Care/Substitute Decision Maker.
Those who wish to be designated as a Caregiver must contact Ext 4241 to be provided with an agreement package, education and guidelines that must be followed during their visit.

Important Information for Caregivers

• Provide proof of weekly COVID-19 testing with a negative result when the region is in Orange, Red or Lock-down levels.
• Attest to a negative COVID-19 test within 14 days when the region is in the Green or Yellow level
  
• There may be two caregivers at a time per resident per day when the region is in Green or Yellow level
  
• There can be only one caregiver at a time if a resident is in isolation for each two week period (full PPE must be worn)  or when in Orange or Red level
  
• The Caregiver will sign in as well as pass screening in/out at reception at every visit.
• The Caregiver cannot have visited another Long Term Care home in outbreak in the past 14 days of their visit 
• Visiting hours are until 8:00pm daily
• Face mask will be provided when signing in and must be worn at all times
• The Caregiver is to stay in their loved ones room. Please note if a roommate is having a caregiver visit at the same time an alternate location may be provided to provide proper social distancing. 
  
• The Caregiver is to wear a badge at all times
• The Caregiver must notify Registered Staff when they have arrived on the home area and when they are leaving
  
• Guidelines must be followed. Failure to abide will result in termination of visits. 
  

Short Stay Absences

Short Stay Absences are only permitted when the region is in Green or Yellow level.   All resident short stay absences for non-medical purposes, are approved by the Home. Families are required to request any resident short stay absence by filling out a Request for Short Stay Absence form. The forms will be located at reception. Requests will be reviewed on a case by case risk assessment considering: - Local disease transmission and activity. - The risk associated with the planned activities that will be undertaken by the resident while out of the home. - The resident’s ability to comply with local and provincial policies/ bylaws. - Any further direction provided by the Ministry of Long-Term Care (MLTC). Note: Please allow 3 days for the request to be processed 

Please note: your loved one will be screened out and in upon arrival by reception, a surgical mask and best practices information sheet will be sent with you to review when your loved one is signing out. 

Temporary Absences

Temporary Absences are for personal reasons and for one or more nights. The Home must review and approve all temporary absences based on a case by case risk assessment. The risk will be reviewed related to: the Homes ability to support self isolation for 14days; local disease transmission and activity; the risk associated with the planned activities that will take place while the resident is out the Home; the residents ability to comply with local and provincial policies/bylaws and any further direction provided by the ministry of long term care.

Please note: any resident that is on a temporary absence will be in isolation for 14 days upon return and will require a negative COVID-19 test to have the isolation lifted.  These absences require 72 hours notice (excluding Saturday and Sunday) The absence must be arranged with an appointed POA for Care for the resident.   

Advocating for Long Term Care

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