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. Information and announcements – this week, we are sharing more information on the new restrictions in our AgeCare communities.
2. Recreation programming – as the need to stay active, intellectually stimulated, and socially connected never ends.
3. A weekly shout-out – to 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

New Visitation Restrictions at AgeCare

As communicated previously, due to the high case numbers and Alberta's State of Public Health Emergency, we have made the difficult decision to place further limits on the number of designated family/support persons.

• As of December 7, 2020, there were 20,388 Active cases, 654 in the hospital, and 112 in intensive care.

These new restrictions align with what hospitals have in place for over a week and what some of our peer organizations are now implementing.

Effective today, Friday, December 11, 2020, ALL in-person visits are on hold, including those with designated family/support persons. There are two exceptions to these restrictions, including:

1. Residents with essential caregivers/companions, including those who need support due to challenges living with dementia, are allowed one designated family/support person or one pre-approved caregiver/companion.
   • These essential caregivers/companions must be pre-arranged with the leadership at your AgeCare community and are based on the resident's care needs as outlined in their care plan.
2. Imminent end of life residents, including those in Hospice Care, are allowed one designated family/support person. If the room is large enough for physical distancing to be maintained, up to three (3) individuals may be with the resident at once.
   • These visits must be pre-arranged with the community.

These measures will remain in place until December 23, 2020, upon which they will be reviewed and reassessed.

Let's Work Together

This is a stressful and challenging time for everyone, especially our residents and their families. Still, the first priority must be controlling the spread of the virus and protecting residents.

This means reducing the exposure to people outside our communities, even family members.

Essential Appointments Only

Hair Salons

This is what we are doing:

While our care teams cannot take the place of your visits, we want to reassure you that our priority is the safety and well-being of our residents.

• All our team members, regardless of their role, are taking extra time with residents to provide additional comfort and support - making Moments that Matter.
• Care teams, including recreation and social work, will be working together to increase personal check-ins with residents - to support your love-ones physical and emotional well-being.

Continued Support

Gifts or Packages

• Please bring to the reception desk, labelled with the resident's name full name.
• We will deliver them on your behalf.

Laundry

• Each community has a designated pick up and drop off location for resident personal laundry. Our designated location is at Reception.
• If you prefer, we can sign your loved one up for personal laundry services. Please contact Krista Schultz at 403-361-8004 or kschultz@agecare.ca to discuss this option.

Personal Supplies

• A member of the care team will reach out to you by phone if your loved one needs any personal care items - such as nail care or personal hygiene items.
• Please bring items to the reception desk, labelled with the resident's name full name.
• We will deliver them on your behalf.
  
  

How You Can Stay Connected

• Virtual Visits: To ensure residents and family can stay connected during this time, we continue to offer scheduled virtual visits. Residents and families can book one virtual technology session (Skype, Facetime, Email, Social Media, Phone Calls, etc.) per week. This limitation ensures we have the recreation and social work staff to support all residents in seeing their loved ones virtually. All virtual visits will continue as long as the site is staffed appropriately and care needs are met.
  • To book a virtual visit with your loved one, please contact Rina Hempel at 403-361-8003 or rhempel@agecare.ca
    
    

• Resident's Phone Line: If your loved one does not have a phone line in their room, we can connect this for them. Please contact Krista Schultz at 403-361-8004 or kschultz@agecare.ca to discuss this option.
  
  
• Write a Letter or Card: Bring it in to reception, and we will deliver - and read it, if needed - to your loved one.

Getting Updates

Sign-up for email at agecare.ca/signup

Visit agecare.ca/Coronavirus

For sites with COVID cases or outbreaks, call dedicated family line:
1-800-889-2238
Open Mon-Sun 10 AM to 6 PM

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 to ensure that all participants can maintain physical-distancing. All residents perform hand hygiene before they attend recreation activities and when they leave to return to their rooms.

To ensure residents can participate in more programs more frequently, while keeping group participation sizes small, recreation is implementing a come-and-go approach, where smaller groups of residents rotate through the same activity at different times.

Recreation teams are looking at each resident's social network within the community, such as those they choose to eat and visit with outside of activities, and where possible, encouraging them to participate in programs they enjoy together.

View the December Recreation Calendar for your AgeCare Community:

• AgeCare Columbia – Dec 2020
• AgeCare Glenmore – Dec 2020
• AgeCare Midnapore – Dec 2020
• AgeCare Orchard Manor – Dec 2020
• AgeCare Seton – Dec 2020
• AgeCare Valleyview – Dec 2020
• AgeCare Walden Heights - 2020

Weekly Shout Out

This week's shout out is from AgeCare Columbia in Lethbridge, Alberta.

AgeCare Columbia has an elf on the loose! Keep an eye out for Cal as he's on the move daily with new hiding spots – masked and practicing physical distancing of course. If you spot him, make sure to stop by recreation for a treat.

Residents and staff are really enjoying our Elf-on-the-Shelf holiday hunt lead by our Recreation team.