Dear Residents and Families,

We remain committed to providing updates to our residents, families, and staff at AgeCare Harmony Court. As such, we are providing weekly updates to keep you all informed on what is happening at our communities and organization-wide. This weekly update includes:

1. Visitation Update – A review of new visitation guidelines.
2. Rapid Antigen Screening for Visitors – Information on RAS screening for visitors to long-term care communities.
3. Recreation & Activities - An update on our recreation and activities as the need to stay active, intellectually stimulated, and socially connected never ends.
4. Weekly Shout-Out – Celebrate the great work and activities happening at our AgeCare communities.

Sincerely,
The Leadership Team at AgeCare Harmony Court

Visitation Update

Last week, the Provincial Health Officer, Dr. Henry, announced that starting on October 12th, all essential and social visitors must show proof of being vaccinated to visit with their loved one in a Long-Term Care home.

Effective October 12, 2021, Stage 1: Partial or Full Vaccination

All eligible persons over the age of 12 must provide proof of partial or full vaccination prior to their visit. Proof should be provided by showing your vaccination passport at the screening station.

Upon entry, partially vaccinated visitors over the age of 12 or those medically exempt must be Rapid Antigen Screened (RAS) for COVID-19 and wait for their results before visiting with their loved ones.

• If the RAS result is negative, the visitor may proceed with their visit but must wear a mask for the entire duration.
• If the RAS result is positive, the visitor may not visit and be directed to PCR-tested for COVID-19 through the local health authority.

Less uncomfortable than a PCR lab swab and as quick as 15 minutes, RAS is the best way to prevent asymptomatic spread of COVID-19 in our community.

As per the order, the BC Ministry of Health defines vaccination status as:

• Partial vaccination: individual has received 1 dose of the COVID-19 vaccine 7 days prior.
• Full vaccination: individual has received 2 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine 7 days prior.

Effective November 30, 2021, Stage 2: Full Vaccination

All eligible persons over the age of 12 must provide proof of full vaccination (2 doses) prior to their visit. Proof should be provided by showing your vaccination passport at the screening station. This will allow time for individuals who have only received their 1st dose of the vaccine to receive their 2nd dose.

If you have not obtained your vaccine passport yet but are fully vaccinated, we will accept your vaccination card for now and ask that you register for your vaccine passport as soon as possible. To register, please gov.bc.ca/vaccinecard

Rapid Antigen Screening for Long-Term Care Visitors

As shared earlier this week, AgeCare is pleased to offer Rapid Antigen Screening (RAS) to visitors. In the latest order from the BC Ministry of Health, visitors over the age of 12 who are partially vaccinated or are medically exempt must participate in the RAS program before visiting their loved one.

Less uncomfortable than a PCR lab swab and as quick as 15 minutes, RAS is the best way to prevent COVID-19 from entering our communities. The goal of rapid screening is to detect asymptomatic COVID-19 positive individuals as early as possible.

Rapid Antigen Screening (RAS) is a point of care (POC) test used to screen for potential COVID-19 infection in pre-symptomatic or asymptomatic individuals. With the addition of visitors, this screening will help limit COVID infection and spread in our facilities - protecting residents, families, and staff.

Rapid Antigen Screening Results

If your RAS result is negative, understand this is a point-in-time result. It does not guarantee that you are not infected with COVID-19 or will not spread it to others. Continue to follow all visitor guidelines and public health guidance to help prevent the spread.

If your RAS result is positive, you will be informed by a member of the care team. You will need to:

1. Go home and isolate immediately, as per bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19/self-isolation
2. Book a Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) COVID-19 test through your local health authority to confirm your positive result. This is because rapid antigen screens have a lower accuracy compared to lab-based PCR tests.

To book a PCR COVID-19 Test visit:

• Interior Health Authority (IHA) at secureform.ca
  • select ‘ I have been sent for testing by my doctor or Public Health’ from the options provided.

OR

• Fraser Health Authority (FHA) at secureform.ca
  • select ‘ I have been sent for testing by my doctor or Public Health’ from the options provided.

OR

• Call Health Link at 811. If you call 811, inform them you received a positive test result on a Rapid Antigen Screening (RAS) test.

Your health authority will notify you of your lab-confirmed PCR test results (either positive or negative).

• If your PCR test comes back positive, follow the direction you receive from the health authority.
• If your PCR test comes back negative, you will be allowed to resume visits with your loved one.

Visitation Guidelines

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.

Fully Immunized

• Must wear a medical mask in all indoor public/common areas, including to and from the resident’s room.
• Can remove mask while visiting the resident in their suite.

Not Immunized or Partially Immunized

• Must wear a medical mask at all times, including visiting with the resident in their suite or indoor public/common areas.

During your visit, it is STRONGLY recommended that visitors:

• Wear a mask when visiting, including in a resident’s suite.
• Be fully vaccinated with two doses (the second dose received a minimum of two weeks prior).

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.

Location:

• Visits can occur in the resident’s suite, designated areas, or outside.
• Residents residing in shared suites-(semi-private):
  • Only visitors for one resident can be in the room at any one time;
  • Visits for each resident must be staggered in the multi-resident room.

When entering, visitors must be screened and follow ALL safe visiting practices and COVID-19 protocols.

Harmony Court
Time:
To allow for screening, visiting hours are:

Recreation & Activities

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.

PLEASE NOTE: At this time, visitors are not permitted to attend indoor recreations programming, including concerts. Thank you for your understanding. 

Check out our September Calendars!

Weekly Shout Out, to all of our staff at AgeCare

Shout-out to all the October fun at Harmony Court!

Care Centre residents were recently treated to an enchanting harp performance. The beautiful melodies could be heard all through the building – thank you to everyone who helped coordinate this incredible performance!

Our estate residents recently said “grüß gott” as they celebrated Oktoberfest! With live performances, themed treats and activities, everyone had a great time with this Bavarian tradition.

Thank you to everyone for making these events happen!