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. Visitation Update – A review of new visitation guidelines coming into effect on October 22^nd.
2. Visitation, Outings, Overnight Stays, and Screening – Guidelines for a safe visit.
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 are helpful. Thank you all for your continued support.

Sincerely,

AgeCare Communications

Visitation Update

As shared last week, AgeCare will be implementing new visitor guidelines as of October 22, 2021.

These guidelines align with other care providers in the province and, in keeping with AgeCare's approach to person centred-care, they were developed in consultation with the resident and family councils. Resident and family councils participated in a survey, and the results were overwhelmingly in support of these new guidelines – with 83% in support of requiring visitors to show proof of vaccination before entering an AgeCare community.

Social Visitors

Social Visitors are non-designated resident visitors.

At the time of screening (before entering a community) Social Visitors must:

• Provide proof of full vaccination (two doses) completed at least 2 weeks prior to visit.

Designated Family/Support Persons (DFSP)

Four (4) individuals can be identified as a resident's Designated Family / Support Persons (DFSP). Children under 14 years of age must be accompanied.

At the time of screening, DFSP must:

• Provide proof of full vaccination (two doses) completed at least 2 weeks prior to visit.

OR

• Be COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Screened (RAS) before your visit.

Rapid Antigen Screening

While unvaccinated DFSP MUST RAS test before a visit (as of October 22^nd) we continue to encourage ALL visitors, regardless of their vaccination status, to participate in RAS testing. Fully vaccinated people with no symptoms can test positive for COVID-19. A rapid test means protecting your family, friends, co-workers and community from the asymptomatic spread.

Rapid Antigen Screening (RAS) can be done before your visit during RAS clinic hours.

Remember:

• You MUST be asymptomatic to receive a RAS test.
• If you have ANY symptoms, you CANNOT visit or come on-site. You must book a lab test through AHS. Learn more
• Documentation WILL NOT be provided to prove a negative result. You cannot use a negative RAS test from our communities to participate in the restriction exemption program.

Visitation, Outings, Overnight Stays, and Screening

Visitation

Please note – communities on outbreak may have different visitation restrictions in effect. Contact your community or sign up for email updates to stay informed on the latest information.

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. It is strongly recommended that visitors wear a mask when visiting, including in a resident's suite.

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.

Recreation Programming

A massive shout-out to our incredible team and residents at AgeCare Midnapore!

Last week, AgeCare Midnapore participated in the Harvest Sale.

Estate residents baked mini apple pies using apples harvested from the trees onsite, while the recreation department sold harvest salsa made from the tomatoes grown in the garden this year. Pumpkin chocolate chip cookies and hot apple cider were also available. By selling some harvest treats, more than $200 was raised for the Alzheimer's Society!

Residents were also able to participate in a modified Alzheimer's Walk. Altogether combining steps, residents walked over 5 kilometres! Resident's who completed 100 steps or more received a certificate.

Thank you to the AgeCare Midnapore team for organizing such an important fundraiser, and thank you to the residents for lacing up those walking shoes!