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.- Resident vaccinations update – this week, we are sharing information about the second dose of the COVID-19 vaccination.
- Comfort Care Aides – Alberta Health Services is introducing Comfort Care Aides to help support residents and staff during the COVID-19 pandemic. We will share with you what this means for our communities.
- Alberta Health Survey – Alberta Health has provided a link to participate in a Government of Alberta survey to help identify opportunities for changing and improving designated supportive living and long-term care in Alberta.
- 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
2021 – Vaccinations are on track
We are pleased to share that most of our long-term care and designated supportive living communities have received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccination! This is a huge step in the right direction to returning to how life was before the COVID-19 pandemic. However, we are not out of the woods yet. A second dose is critical to the effectiveness of the vaccine.
All available vaccines require a second booster dose after the initial vaccination. You are not considered immune until at least seven days after your second dose. You can still contract COVID-19 if exposed in between your two doses. This is why we must continue to be vigilant and follow public health guidance.
For staff and residents of long term care and designated supportive living facilities, Alberta Health Services (AHS) will continue to offer the shorter interval of 3-4 weeks (21-28 days), as this population is at the highest risk of severe outcomes.
However, as announced by Alberta Health on January 12th, for other Albertans, second doses of the COVID-19 vaccine will be offered within 42 days after the first dose. Increasing the time from the first dose to the second dose will allow Alberta Health Services to use their early limited supply of COVID-19 vaccine to reach more high-risk people sooner with early protection. This aligns with the approach recommended by the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI).
AHS has a rollout schedule for our Retirement Living (Independent Living) residents as part of their phase 1B priority that includes all Seniors 75 years of age and over, no matter where they live. As soon as we have more details on this phase, we will share them with you. Learn more about the COVID-19 vaccine and phased rollout
Comfort Care Aides
The COVID-19 Pandemic has created resource challenges. We know that staff stress, the single site order, quarantine, and sick time for the workforce have resulted in an increased average of the staff absentee rate through recent outbreaks and assessments.
We are pleased to share that some of our AgeCare communities will soon have extra support thanks to a new AHS created role, Comfort Care Aides. The Comfort Care Aide (CCA) provides person centred care as a key member of the collaborative care team.
AHS will determine deployment based on the greatest community need and availability of Comfort Care Aides. Comfort Care Aides will be onsite to provide companionship to our residents and assist with day-to-day supports. This will allow our existing team members to focus on their specialized care and services.
How will Comfort Care Aides support our residents?
- Be resident companion; provide comfort and support to residents via companionship such as playing cards, reading the newspaper together, visiting, art, and hand pampering.
- Help residents connect virtually with family and friends using mobile communication devices such as smartphones and tablets.
- Assist residents as they move to and from their rooms, recreational activities, and dining room.
- Encourage residents to stay hydrated.
- Motivate residents to get ready for the day by changing clothes and helping with haircare.
- Monitor resident's personal spaces and help with tidiness and cleaning.
Alberta Health wants to hear from you!
Alberta Health is beginning a review of the facility-based continuing care system. AgeCare has been asked to share with our residents, resident family members and staff a preliminary survey to help identify opportunities to change and improve the lives of continuing care residents. While this survey will address how to better prevent and manage pandemics, please also consider the state of care prior to COVID-19 so that a fulsome picture can be created. You can access the survey until January 29th.
Staying safe during in-person visits
As vaccinations across facilities rollout, there may be a temptation to relax your behaviour when visiting a family member. Even with the initial vaccination, immunity has not been reached. You and your loved ones are still at risk if proper visitation guidelines are not followed. We are on the right path and need to stay committed to following visitation rules for the next several months.
Download our Indoor Visit Guide (PDF) for all the details to ensure a safe visit. *NEW* view our 5 min. learning videos right from the guide!
Please Note: For communities in outbreak status, visits to particular neighbourhoods will not be possible. 
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 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. We are continuously looking for ways to reduce the risk of transmission while 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 January Recreation Calendar for your AgeCare Community:
AgeCare Orchard Manor – Jan 2021
AgeCare Sunrise Garden – Jan 2021
Weekly Shout-Out
This week's shout out is for the entire staff at AgeCare Midnapore!
What an amazing day of unprecedented teamwork, collaboration, and coordination from our entire team to vaccinate 249 long term care residents!
Thank you to our families for their quick response to consenting for their loved ones.
Great job to our Evergreen team for all their hard work to follow outbreak protocols.
Thank you to our diligent, compassionate screening and reception teams for booking Designated Support Person visits and ensuring COVID protocols are followed.