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.
- Mental Health & Wellness – Each month we'll give you tips and tricks for taking care of your mental health.
- Designated Care Partner Training Program – Registration extended until March.
- Alberta Health Survey – Help identify opportunities for changing and improving designated supportive living and long-term care in Alberta.
- Outdoor Visits, Outings & Community Walks – How to stay safe while enjoying the outdoors with your loved ones.
- Recreation Calendars - We know the need to stay active, intellectually stimulated, and socially connected never ends.
- Weekly Shout-Out - Sharing words of gratitude messages from residents and families to our staff.
We hope these weekly updates helpful. Thank you all for your continued support.
Mental Health Mindfulness
Did you know 38% of Canadians say their mental health has declined due to COVID-19?
No one has felt this more than those in the continuing care world. From residents to staff and their family and friends, the past 10 months have brought forth challenge after challenge and had an impact on mental health and wellness.
Yesterday was Bell Let's Talk day; A national day of awareness around Canadians mental health and illness. As part of this important initiative, Bell has put together an online hub of mental health resources specific to COVID-19.
Learn tips for managing stress and anxiety as well as learn what to look out for when it comes to mental health for you and your loved ones.
Now more than ever, we are in this together. Let's take care of ourselves and the ones we love. Visit Bell Let's Talk
Designated Care Partner training program
Are you a caregiver for a person who lives in a continuing care home in Alberta?
Dementia Network Calgary is pleased to launch the Designated Care Partner training program in partnership with the Canadian Red Cross, Employment and Social Development Canada and the Alzheimer Society of Calgary and supported by the United Way of Calgary and Area, Gordie Howe C.A.R.E.S, Caregivers Alberta and the Health Coalition of Alberta.
As experts in infectious disease training, the Red Cross will provide PPE and IP&C training to 400 family caregivers in Alberta over the next few months. The Alzheimer Society of Calgary will provide optional training geared to communicating with someone who has dementia with the added complexity of wearing a mask.
This program is open to any family caregiver in Alberta. It provides training in an online classroom led in real-time by an instructor, who can provide feedback and answer questions.
Upon completion, participants will be provided with a dated certificate and will be surveyed over time to determine their level of comfort with providing care in various situations during the COVID-19 pandemic. Learn More & Register
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.
Outdoor Visits, Outings, and Community Walks
Earlier this month, the Government of Alberta announced changes to the public health measures. Included in those changes were that small outdoor gatherings would be allowed again. We would like to take this opportunity to remind you about how you can safely share an outdoor visit, outing, or community walk with a resident.
HOW:
Schedule your visit: We know the weather can change, but it is mandatory that you book your outdoor visit or community walk in advance. Visitors must book at least 24-hours in advance (preferably 48-hours). To book, call the main reception desk: www.agecare.ca/contact-us
WHO:
- Outdoor visits and walks can include up to 5 people, including the resident.
- Visitors are permitted to bring one pet that is house trained, behaved, leashed, with no signs of illness, that does not come from a household at high risk of exposure to COVID-19, and must inform reception when booking that they are bringing a pet.
- Outdoor visits and walks will not be supervised by AgeCare staff or volunteers.
WHEN:
- Outdoor visits and walks can occur at any time during reception hours to ensure someone is available to provide a health screening.
- Visitors are encouraged to set a standing time each week with reception, in which case they do not need to call beforehand.
- Outdoor visits will occur in designated outdoor spaces or around the community.
- Designated outdoor spaces will have a maximum capacity to allow for physical distancing, so they must be booked in advance as per the "timing" section above.
- Visitors may not come into the building to use the washroom from outdoor visits.
- Outdoor visits can only occur in spaces that do not require visitors to walk through our building to access.
As with all community visits, visitors must understand the risk of unknown exposure to COVID-19 for themselves and residents and asses health before visits.
By following the above guidelines, as well as practicing proper hand hygiene, wearing a mask, and social distancing, you can help protect your loved ones during your visit.
Download our Community Walks/Outings, Indoor, and Outdoor Visit Guides (PDFs) for all the details to ensure a safe visit.
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 February Recreation Calendar for your AgeCare Community:
AgeCare Orchard Manor – Feb 2021
AgeCare Sunrise Garden – Feb 2021
Weekly Shout-Out
These challenging times have allowed us the opportunity to reach out to many of our families to provide updates on their loved ones and our communities. Many have expressed gratitude and support for our amazing staff, and for that kindness, we thank you.
Here are just a few of the kind words that have been shared:
"I think you guys are doing as splendid as possible. Those of you putting your lives in danger to help others, the health aides and nurses, as well as yourself. - PLEASE pass this on to everyone."
"Thanks it's nice to talk with someone."