Jan. 26 2022 *New

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

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