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Coronavirus COVID-19 Updates

Weekly Update August 13, 2021:  Vaccination and staying safe, visitation, outings, overnight stays, and screening guidelines, recreation calendars and a weekly shout-out!

Posted by AgeCare on August 13, 2021 at 10:49 AM

Dear Residents and Families,

We remain committed to providing updates to our residents, families, and staff at AgeCare. As such, we are providing weekly updates to keep you all informed on what is happening at our communities and organization-wide.

  1. Vaccination and Staying Safe – What to expect from the vaccine and how to continue to keep yourself and loved ones safe.
  2. Visitation, Outings, Overnight Stays, and Screening – Our new guidelines are now in effect.
  3. Recreation Calendars - Staying active, intellectually stimulated, and socially connected.
  4. Weekly Shout-Out – Celebrate the great work and activities happening at our AgeCare communities.

We hope these weekly updates helpful. Thank you all for your continued support.

Sincerely,

AgeCare Communications

Vaccination & Staying Safe

The first thing to know about the COVID-19 vaccines is that they’re doing exactly what they were designed to do. Since the shots first started their rollout late last year, rates of COVID-19 disease have plunged among the immunized.

The second thing to know about the COVID-19 vaccine is that it is not a cure. It helps prevent infection but is not a barrier to getting COVID-19. Some vaccinated people are still getting infected, and a subset of these individuals are still getting sick.

Most importantly, in those who contract COVID-19, the vaccine reduces the risks of getting seriously ill from the disease. Some vaccinated individuals experience no symptoms, while others have milder symptoms.

Anyone with COVID-19, even those vaccinated can spread the disease.

So, what can we all do to continue to prevent the spread of COVID-19?

  • Frequent and correct hand hygiene. When using soap and water, wash your hand for a minimum of 20 seconds. Use hand sanitizer with 60% or greater alcohol content.
  • Wash your hands after using the washroom, before you eat, after contact with another person and after touching high-use surfaces.
  • Avoid certain or busier public settings or go during non-peak times
  • Maintain a physical distance of 6ft between others when in a public area, especially when indoors.
  • Limit unnecessary travel out of province or country.
  • Perform regular health checks for yourself to ensure you are not experiencing symptoms.
  • Recognize when you don’t feel well and isolate as necessary.

Get fully vaccinated! Vaccination continues to be our best defence against COVID-19. You can still book your first or second dose – it’s never too late! Learn More

Visitation, Outings, Overnight Stays, and Screening

Visitation

We are pleased to share that visits no longer need to be booked ahead of time. All visitors will continue to be screened upon entry to the building. If your visit occurs outside of reception hours, please submit your screening documents to the nursing station.

While we are pleased to lift these remaining restrictions, all visitors are strongly encouraged to be fully vaccinated with two doses (the second dose received a minimum of two weeks prior).

During your visit, visitors are required to:

  • Wear a medical mask when in common areas or while travelling around the building.
  • Maintain physical distancing while in groups.
  • Practice proper hand hygiene frequently.
  • Whenever possible, residents residing in shared suites-(semi-private), visits should occur in a designated area or outside. If the visit occurs in a shared suite, the number of visitors may be limited to maintain physical distance from the other residents.
  • Continue to self-screen for COVID-19 after your visit. Notify AgeCare if any symptoms arise within 14 days of the visit.

Resident Outings, Overnight Stays and Screening

Residents can engage in any activity off-site as they would pre-pandemic. This includes public outings, overnight stays and more. Residents are also no longer required to be screened upon re-entry to the building or required to quarantine if they have gone off-site.

We encourage everyone to continue to follow all public health guidance while off-site.

Rapid Screening

Rapid Antigen Screening (RAS) will continue to be offered to all visitors in our communities. RAS is the best way to prevent COVID-19 from entering our communities.

Click here to view RAS clinic hours


Thank you to everyone who has followed our guidelines over the past 18 months – your dedication to keeping our communities safe and COVID-free is very appreciated.

Recreation Programming

Our recreation team is working hard to create engaging activities that enrich the mind, body and spirit while reducing the risk of transmission and having the least impact on resident well-being.

At this time, recreation activities will be held in individual neighbourhoods where possible and in larger spaces. This is to ensure that all participants can maintain physical distancing.

View the July Recreation Calendar for your AgeCare Community:

Weekly Shout Out 

This week we’re shouting out our recent grads of the AgeCare Moments Dementia Education Course!

Did you know that AgeCare staff who care for and support residents living with dementia participate in a specialized education program? Education is a critical launching point for all staff to have comfort, confidence, knowledge and skill in supporting our residents and their families.

Since January, staff have attended workshops, completed workbooks and formed special neighbourhood huddles to use their new skills and knowledge.

We are so proud of our recent grads and their commitment to providing excellent care to residents.

Congrats Grads!

13AUG21 Weekly Shout Out-1

 

Topics: Alberta