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

As of Tuesday, October 26^th, the following visitor guidelines are in place at our AgeCare communities.

• All eligible persons over the age of 12 must provide proof of full vaccination prior to their visit.
• Full vaccination means that at least 7 days has passed since the individual has received their 2^nd dose of the COVID 19 vaccine.
• Proof should be provided by showing your vaccination passport at the screening station.

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

Exceptions related to compassionate care such as end-of-life care will be considered on an individual basis, with additional preventative measures required to support visits. Please discuss with your Care Team if you have any questions or concerns.

>> Download our new visitation guidelines

Rapid Antigen Screening for Long-Term Care Visitors

Until Tuesday, October 26^th, when only fully vaccinated visitors may visit - partially vaccinated visitors or those who are medically exempt must participate in the RAS program before visiting their loved one.

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.

Partially Immunized or those who are medically exempt

• Must wear a medical mask at all times, including visiting with the resident in their suite.
• Must participate in the rapid antigen screening program before visiting their loved one.

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 some very talented residents at Brandt’s Creek Mews!

Residents enjoyed creating some gorgeous fall centrepieces. These seasonal beauties brighten our entire community, and we are so impressed with the skill and artistry needed to make these autumn decorations. Thank you to everyone who helped make this activity such a success!