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. This week we are sending our update a few days early.

Information and announcements – this week, we are sharing new information on staff vaccinations, a letter to all Albertans from Dr. Hinshaw, and a reminder on our indoor visitation restrictions at our AgeCare communities.
Recreation calendars as the need to stay active, intellectually stimulated, and socially connected never ends.
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 Communications

Happy Holidays from all of us at AgeCare

We want to wish you all a safe, healthy, and happy holiday season and best wishes in 2021. To all of our residents, families, and staff, our communities are better because of you. Thank you all for your support, compassion, and courage shown throughout this year. We know it has been a challenging one for everyone.

At AgeCare, we received the best holiday gift we could ask for. The initial phase of the COVID-19 vaccination is underway. We have received word that our communities will be notified and scheduled to have the staff vaccinated. This initial phase only includes staff vaccination as the vaccine cannot be transported to the site.

Message to all Albertans from Dr. Deena Hinshaw

from https://www.alberta.ca/article-holidays-during-covid-19.aspx

The holidays will look different this year for all of us, but the spirit of the season remains the same. From shopping for gifts and food, to carrying on holiday traditions and visiting with loved ones online, you can enjoy the holidays safely by taking precautions.

We can all help brighten spirits over the holidays through acts of kindness to others. Actions like sending a card or caring message to someone who's isolated, elderly or grieving a loved one; dropping a gift at someone's door, or shovelling a neighbour's sidewalk help not only the recipient, but also the gift-giver. Showing kindness to others will help to elevate people's spirits at a time when they need it most.

I especially encourage all Albertans to send holiday cards, letters, art or other shows of support to continuing care residents and staff across Alberta to help brighten spirits during the holiday season and to remind our most vulnerable that Albertans are thinking of them, and that we are all in this together. Sites may have their own gift policies so if you are thinking about larger items or perishable deliveries, please check with operators first. At this time please do not send homemade food.

When you're shopping, I encourage you to be patient with people around you and remember that we're all doing our best in less than ideal times. Shop only with members of your household, or alone if possible, and stay 2 metres away from others to minimize contact. Wear a mask in malls and stores and if you can, use curbside pickup, take away or delivery services. Use ABTraceTogether when you're out in public. Most importantly, stay home if you're not feeling well, even if symptoms are minor.

For holiday celebrations, limit in-person gatherings with just the people living in your household. For those outside your household, consider gathering family and friends together over Zoom for a virtual holiday meal. Nurture your spirit by attending a holiday service online, getting out in nature or enjoying the festive holiday lights and decorations around your neighbourhood.

I know the holidays can be stressful even at the best of times, so in whatever way you and your family choose to celebrate, please also remember to take care of your mental health:

Reach out to a supportive friend or family member to talk through any difficult emotions you may be feeling.
Stay connected to friends and family through emails, texts and phone or video calls.
Get some fresh air every day if possible, do something you enjoy, and engage in physical activity if you are able to.
Reach out to people who may be feeling isolated or missing loved ones this holiday season.
Access available supports. Alberta Health Services has resources and services, such as Text4Hope and Togetherall (Virtual Mental Health), available to help you or someone you know.
If you can, try to think each day about small things you are grateful for – birds singing, a message from a friend, a tasty meal – practicing gratitude is also good for your mental health.
You can also find additional help available for all Albertans over the holidays.

Finally, please limit your in-person interactions as much as possible. We are all in this together, and together we will bend the curve back down. Be safe, be kind, and follow public health guidance, so we can reduce the spread of COVID-19 into 2021.

Visitation Restrictions at AgeCare

As communicated previously, we have re-opened our communities for indoor visits with some limitations in place. We continue to monitor the situation closely and adjust if required. Please note that the Medical Officer of Health (MOH) has the discretion and can provide direction to sites to cease visits during an outbreak. We have reviewed, and these measures will remain in place until January 6, 2020.

Residents/decision-makers can designate up to 2 adults over the age of 18 for indoor visits (family member, friend, companion, volunteer, support worker, power of attorney/ trustee, agent, legal guardian, or other).
Designated family/support persons must book each visit in advance.
During each visit, there can be only 1 designated support person at one time.
There will be no temporary replacement of designated support persons at this time, except in extenuating circumstances.
All visitors must understand the risk of unknown exposure to COVID-19 for themselves and residents and assess health before visits.
When entering, visitors must be screened and follow ALL safe visiting practices and COVID-19 protocols. If visitors do not follow these, we will deem the visit unsafe, and the visitor will be asked to leave.

Please read our Indoor Visit Guide (PDF) for all the details to ensure a safe visit. This revised guide reflects our practices during high case numbers and state of public emergency.

As per the letters shared earlier this week, Dr. Hinshaw asks all designated family/support persons to limit their presence on site. Though you can be there to maintain resident mental and physical health and wellbeing. If there is any other way to meet those needs without coming to the site, please do so.

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 per week. All virtual visits will continue as long as the site is staffed appropriately and care needs are met.

To book a virtual visit, contact your AgeCare community:

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 wellbeing.

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 Sagewood – Dec 2020