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.
Shout-Out to Our HR Team
COVID-19 Update - The Vaccine Advantage
Visitor Guidelines
Get Boosted!
Recreation Calendars
Great Opportunities for Caring People
We hope these weekly updates are helpful. Thank you all for your continued support.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the healthcare system faced many challenges, including workplace shortages and rapidly changing protocols aimed at keeping the virus at bay. These challenges affected not only frontline workers but also our unsung heroes in the Human Resources (HR) department.
From the onset, AgeCare’s HR department was called on to rise above their proven skills and chart a whole new course of tasks and processes to keep all our communities on track. The intent was to smooth the way so our employees could continue to do what they do best – provide high-quality, person-centred care and services.
With a commitment to keep communication flowing between their department and employees, the HR team immediately set up and operated a dedicated email and phone line where staff could reach out to ask questions related to COVID-19.
From there, their behind-the-scenes efforts to ensure the safety of both staff and residents was paramount. Here are just some of the work they undertook:
Developed tools and charts to guide site leaders on dealing with employee illness and return to work protocols.
Review orders as they were released to ensure HR-related processes aligned with provincial mandates.
Supported the unprecedented process of streamlining staff to a ‘single sites’ designate when the government determined it was too risky to have continuing care home staff working at multiple sites. This involved having conversations with hundreds of employees to determine their preferences, drafting all the new schedules, and finding staff to fill the subsequent vacancies.
Recruited (and continue to recruit) new staff to top up shortages due to absences, illness and quarantine.
Meticulously monitored ,and continue to monitor, every community to ensure we have sufficient staff in place to provide the high quality of care that is AgeCare’s mission and trademark.
These are just some of the reasons we want to shine a light on our HR team and offer a heartful thanks for their focus, guidance, and stellar work!
COVID-19 Update - The Vaccine Advantage
Recent numbers indicate that COVID-19 vaccines are providing added protection against serious outcomes and hospitalizations in the province. One province reported that over the past four months, unvaccinated individuals were:
3.2 times more likely to end up in hospital with COVID-19,
7 times more likely to end up in ICU, and
4.3 times more likely to die from COVID-19, than others in the same age category who had two doses of the vaccine.
As we welcome the easing of some restrictions, please note: Rules pertaining to long-term care visitors remain in effect, including continuous masking for staff and visitors.
Visitor Guidelines
Visitor restrictions remain in place in all BC Long Term Care homes.
Need another reason to get your booster? A recent report showed unvaccinated people were 15.7 times more likely to be admitted to ICU than people with three doses of the vaccine. There is sufficient evidence that boosters are important for increasing vaccine effectiveness and protecting against immunity decreasing over time.
Who can book:
Anyone over the age of 12, six months after receiving your second dose.
Our recreation team works 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, visitors are not permitted to attend indoor recreations programming, including concerts. We appreciate your understanding.
Please note that communities with an exposure or on outbreak may have different recreation restrictions in effect. Contact your community or
Did you know AgeCare is hiring? Great opportunities for caring people. From health care aides to food services to recreation to administration and more, we are looking for dedicated and caring individuals.
If you or someone you know is looking for an exciting new opportunity, check out our careers page at www.agecare.ca/hiring
AgeCare, 19655 Walden Blvd SE, Calgary, Alberta T2X 0N7, Canada, 403-873-3200
