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Coronavirus COVID-19 Updates

December 4, 2020 - Staying Safe During the Holiday Season

Posted by AgeCare on December 4, 2020 at 7:00 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. Information and announcements – tips on staying safe during the holiday season, as well as a reminder for residents and families about gifting food for staff.
  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 are helpful. Thank you all for your continued support.

Sincerely,

AgeCare Communications

Please, No Gifting of Food or Beverages

With the holidays just around the corner and many delicious treats to be had, we would like to remind our residents and families not to bring food or beverage items for our staff, including store bought and homemade goodies.

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While your generosity is beyond appreciated by our team, due to COVID-19 safety precautions, our staff are unable to share food items or beverages, regardless of how lovingly they were prepared or packed.

 

If you wish to share your holiday spirit and appreciation, you are welcome to send greeting cards or letters, which will be shared with our teams. These can be sent to Reception at your AgeCare community.

 

Tips for Staying Safe During the Holiday Season

As we are now in December, we wanted to provide some guidance and tips for you and your loved ones so that you can have a happy and healthy holiday season. With promising developments around a COVID-19 vaccine on the horizon, it is up to us all to focus and work together to keep our loved ones safe for a little bit longer.

 

#1 Avoid the Three Cs to Reduce the Risk

Did you know there are three factors that can increase the risk of COVID-19? Your risk further increases when any of these three Cs overlap. To stay safe, you should avoid:

  • Closed spaces with poor ventilation
  • Crowded places
  • Close contact situations

 

#2 Practice the Three Ws to Stay Safe

Small adjustments practiced regularly can make a big impact. By making the three Ws part of your routine throughout the day, you can help to keep yourself, and those around you safe:

  • Wash your hands frequently and for a minimum of 20 seconds
  • Watch your distance (2 meters/6 feet apart) from others outside of your household/building
  • Wear your mask when in public, especially when physical distancing can’t be maintained.

Avoid 3 Cs Practice 3 Ws POSTER

What does this mean for holiday shopping and festive activities? Here are some ways to make your usual holiday scenarios safer this year while practicing the three Ws.

 

  • Curbside pick-up: Avoid the crowded mall. Many local businesses are offering curbside pickup. You can order all of your usual gifts online or by phone and have them delivered right to your car. BONUS You can avoid battling for a parking stall and stay toasty and warm in your vehicle.

  • Outdoor visits: Adhering to new visitation restrictions (max of 10 people for outdoor visits) consider an outside get together with loved ones. Grab your toques, scarves, and an extra layer and have small mid-day gathering outside. Watch your distance and wear a mask to make this activity as safe as possible. BONUS Matching holiday-themed masks will be a hit with family and friends.

  • Plan ahead: Pick a day to look at your calendar and create a list of what you need to get you through to the season. Have one family member complete as many errands as possible in one outing. By reducing the number of times you need to pop out to get “just one thing” you can actively avoid the Three Cs. BONUS You will be less stressed knowing your holiday to-do list is done nice and early.

 

#3 Make Safe Choices When Commuting

  • Wear your mask: If you are using public transit or travelling in a vehicle with another person, wear a mask.
  • Watch your distance: Do your best to leave space (2 metres/6 feet) between yourself and others. Try not to stand face-to-face with others while on public transit.
  • Wash your hands: Keep a pocket-sized hand sanitizer on you. Sanitize your hands before you get on public transit or in a vehicle with someone else, and after.
  • Avoid the crowds: If you are able, consider travelling outside of peak times so you encounter fewer people.
  • Ride solo: Where possible, try to ride in a vehicle by yourself. If taking public transit, avoid long conversations with others.

 

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 virtual technology sessions like Skype, Facetime, email, social media, and phone calls. Timing limitations are in place to ensure 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, contact the recreation team at 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 well-being.

 

View the December Recreation Calendar for your AgeCare Community:

 

Weekly Shout Out

This week's shout out is for the Human Resources (HR) team at AgeCare Walden Plaza, our Corporate office in Calgary, Alberta.

 

Over the last few months, our HR team has worked tirelessly to provide fast, effective support to our communities and ensure they have the staffing they require to continue to provide seamless, quality care and services ­for our residents. Thank you for your unrelenting efforts, and for living our AgeCare values of Trust, Respect, Quality and Teamwork each and every day.

Topics: Alberta