COVID-19 Update

Regular Family Visitors

According to Ministry guidelines for the Level 4 – Maximum Alert, regular visitors will not be permitted inside the Care Pavilion. Visits will be permitted for humanitarian reasons. Special considerations will be made for residents in palliative care. Please contact the Director of Care, Sandra Klinck, at  [email protected] or 819-569- 0546 ext. 5050. We will work together to support each resident and their loved ones.

The Bubble concept for seniors' residences was introduced by the CIUSSS, and is explained as the following: A group of people (maximum 4 to 6) who is considered a ‘living cell’ and in which there is a loosening of certain measures, such as social distancing. The group of clearly identified residents will always be the same and participate in the same activities together (meals, leisure). This allows quick efficient tracking in case of an outbreak. Visitors must also vigorously apply infection control and prevention measures to avoid the introduction of the virus in a bubble. 
 

Communications - Fighting Isolation 
Isolation is a major issue for seniors at the best of times, and contact with their families and friends is more important now than ever before. We encourage you to take advantage of these communication resources:

• Email Messages
  If you would like to send an email to a resident to stay connected during this time, messages can be emailed to [email protected] and we will print and share it with your loved ones.
• Virtual Visits
  We are booking "virtual visits" using Google Duo on our new tablet PCs, compatible with both Android and Apple devices. To book an appointment, please email [email protected]. Please do not contact the Resident Care team directly (nurses, caregivers) for virtual visits.
• Telephone
  Telephone calls are also appreciated – please call your loved ones to tell them they are not alone. If your loved one needs assistance to use the telephone, please email [email protected] to make arrangements.
• Indoor visiting station
  Located in the Wellness Center, our Indoor Visiting Station is a space that is separated by a sturdy Plexiglas and renovated to ensure proper ventilation. This area is thoroughly disinfected between each visit, allowing families to meet “face-to-face” without a mask in a safe environment. Visits must be scheduled at least 24 hours in advance by contacting Sandra Klinck at [email protected]. Visits can be held between 9am and 3pm from Monday to Friday.

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Building Access Restrictions 
Grace Village's top priority remains ensuring the safety of our seniors - it is critical to respect all guidelines intended to prevent the possibility of bringing contamination into Grace Village and endangering the health and safety of other residents. 

• Residents can go on walks outside but must remain on Grace Village property and must follow the Ministry's safety guidelines such as social distancing, face mask and handwashing procedures.
• Residents are able to freely go out in the courtyard garden accessible from their wing but must be wearing a mask.
• Residents may not circulate between wings or around the Administration offices.
• Outings will be limited to essential medical appointments.

Dining Rooms Closed

The Ministry has indicated that from January 9, 2021 to February 8, 2021, all dining rooms in private seniors’ residences must be closed to prevent exposure. Residents must therefore have their meals in their rooms, at no extra cost. We are consequently rearranging the residents’ rooms to allow for a safe and comfortable space to have their meals.  We will encourage residents to leave their rooms between meals while wearing masks for exercise and stimulation for those in wheelchairs.

Resident Activities
Activities have been adapted in order to comply with the Ministerial guidelines all while offering residents an opportunity for social interaction and the library is still open – lots of books to read! 

Individuals hired by residents or their family, such as private sitters and companions, will be permitted to return to Grace Village and will wear full PPE (following the same guidelines as Family Caregivers) due to the personal contact with residents.

Social distancing 
We are asking residents to respect social distancing measures and to keep a 2-metre distance from the other residents. We have also asked them not to visit each other in their rooms unless they can maintain the social distance, and they must wash their hands thoroughly after every visit.

Mail/Deliveries

Mail, including newspapers, is held 72 hours from the day it is delivered to Grace Village (e.g. mail received November 24th will be delivered November 27th). This includes deliveries by courier unless an essential or urgent item is required for resident care.

• Mail to all wings is delivered by a member of the Resident Care or Recreation & Leisure teams; Admin staff are limiting their circulation in the wings. 
• For mandataries who customarily pick up mail at Grace Village, mail can be mailed to you periodically or you may arrange to pick it up at the Business Office by emailing [email protected]. Please make an appointment before coming to Grace Village.

Items brought to the Front Entrance
Packages dropped off to residents will be subject to the following guidelines:

• Paper items (greeting cards, gift cards, gift bags, etc.) will be held with the mail received that day and delivered separately.
• Only food items in sealed containers that can be sanitized can be delivered.
• Items are separated according to what can be sanitized (Virox wipes) and what cannot.
• We can accept deliveries of cut flowers and/or plants if they are wrapped in plastic and can be wiped down. ​