Long-Term Care Homes COVID-19 Update
As we continue to navigate the evolving COVID-19 landscape, and follow the Ministry’s shared goal of striking an appropriate balance between the risk of COVID-19 and overall resident quality of life informed by expert public health advice, the following changes have been made in our homes as of April 11th, 2022:
- Residents who leave the home on day and overnight absences do not need to isolate upon return however when returning from an absence (either day or overnight), residents must undergo a PCR test on Day 5 of their return.
- In non-outbreak situations only, cohorting practices, including for staff, are no longer required.
- The definition of fully vaccinated has been changed to staying up-to-date with vaccines, per the (previously shared) Ministry of Health Staying Up to Date with COVID-19 Vaccines: Recommended Doses Guidance
Please find additional information from the Ministry on What Residents can expect in a LTC Home and Safety Measures for absences in the documents below:
A reminder of changes that came into effect as of March 14th, 2022:
- All general visitors, including children under the age of 5, can visit homes. Visitors, (including caregivers), with the exception of children under the age of 5, need to follow the vaccination policy of the individual long-term care home.
- Outdoor visits can be any size, space permitting.
- There can be up to 4 general visitors and/or caregivers visiting a resident at one time.
- All residents, regardless of vaccination status, can go on social overnight absences.
- Social activities can be among different groups of residents.
- Social group activities can be larger in size while crowding should be avoided and masking continued, including for residents where tolerated.
Please note, surveillance testing requirements for all staff, caregivers and visitors continue to be in place in the Region's homes. For caregivers and visitors wishing to enter the home, a daily Rapid Antigen Test is required. There is no testing required if the visit takes place outdoors as of March 14th.
Vaccination remains a key defense against COVID-19 and all Ontarians who are eligible are encouraged to get vaccinated, including receiving a booster dose. Everyone is reminded of the importance of remaining vigilant with public health measures, such as screening and testing, masking and using appropriate personal protective equipment.
We will continue to share updates through letters to families and on our website. Home-specific information can be found on the tabs below.
For homes in outbreak, all recreation activities and indoor visits are cancelled. Essential caregivers are permitted to attend homes in outbreak but are limited to one visitor at a time, with all visits to take place in resident rooms. Essential caregiver visits may be suspended for short periods of time if deemed necessary for resident safety. Shared areas of the home will be locked down and residents are expected to remain on their home areas unless leaving the building for pre-approved medical appointments. Exemptions for very sick or dying residents can be discussed with your individual home.
Visitor Policy
Prior to visiting any resident for the first time and at least once every month thereafter, the home will ask caregivers to verbally attest to the home that they have read/re-read the home's visitor policy.
Visitor Training
Prior to visiting any resident for the first time, the home is providing access to training for caregivers that addresses how to safely provide direct care, including putting on and taking off required PPE, and hand hygiene. Please take time to review. You will be asked to verbally attest to the training when you visit.
- Putting on Full Personal Protective Equipment
- Taking off Full Personal Protective Equipment
- How to Hand Wash
May 16, 2022 - Letter to all Families from Laura MacDermaid
May 2, 2022 - Letter to all Families from Laura MacDermaid
April 19, 2022 - Letter to all Families from Laura MacDermaid
March 28, 2022 - Letter to all Families from Laura MacDermaid
March 14, 2022 - Letter to all Families from Laura MacDermaid
February 28, 2022 - Letter to all Families from Laura MacDermaid
February 14, 2022 - Letter to all Families from Laura MacDermaid
Please find home-specific information below:
Hillsdale Terraces, Oshawa | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Currently, there are no active cases at the home. Should this change, families will be notified and the information below will be updated. Please refer to the chart below for up-to-date information on active cases and areas in isolation and outbreak:
*RHA Status refers to classifications affecting the entire RHA Please note that if you are the emergency contact or Power of Attorney (POA) for a resident who tests positive, you will be contacted directly by the home. For additional details on COVID-19, please visit the Durham Region COVID-19 Data Tracker. We continue to follow all IPAC, Public Health and Ministry requirements and will update this site as required. Thank you for your understanding as we move forward through this difficult time. The health and safety of our residents—and the team members who care for them—remains our highest priority. |
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Hillsdale Estates, Oshawa | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Currently, there are no active cases at the home. Should this change, families will be notified and the information below will be updated. Please refer to the chart below for up-to-date information on active cases and areas in isolation and outbreak:
*RHA Status refers to classifications affecting the entire RHA Please note that if you are the emergency contact or Power of Attorney (POA) for a resident who tests positive, you will be contacted directly by the home. For additional details on COVID-19, please visit the Durham Region COVID-19 Data Tracker. We continue to follow all IPAC, Public Health and Ministry requirements and will update this site as required. Thank you for your understanding as we move forward through this difficult time. The health and safety of our residents—and the team members who care for them—remains our highest priority. Contact Us: For questions/concerns related to Visiting Guidelines, Essential Caregivers (including to be registered as an EC) and Testing Requirements, please call (905) 579-1777 ext. 6426 Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. or email hillsdaleestatesinfo@durham.ca. Please allow 24 to 48 hours for response. For questions/concerns related to resident care, status, absences, and other resident matters, please contact the nursing station directly. |
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Fairview Lodge, Whitby | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Currently, there are no active cases at the home. Should this change, families will be notified and the information below will be updated. Please refer to the chart below for up-to-date information on active cases and areas in isolation and outbreak:
*RHA Status refers to classifications affecting the entire RHA Please note that if you are the emergency contact or Power of Attorney (POA) for a resident who tests positive, you will be contacted directly by the home. For additional details on COVID-19, please visit the Durham Region COVID-19 Data Tracker. We continue to follow all IPAC, Public Health and Ministry requirements and will update this site as required. Thank you for your understanding as we move forward through this difficult time. The health and safety of our residents—and the team members who care for them—remains our highest priority. |
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Lakeview Manor, Beaverton | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Current as of May 17, 2022 at 9:03 a.m. Please refer to the chart below for up-to-date information on active cases and areas in isolation and outbreak:
*RHA Status refers to classifications affecting the entire RHA **Resolved is an indication that residents have met the criteria for symptom improvement and are no longer considered infectious. It is not an indication that they have recovered or of their overall clinical/medical state due to the impacts of COVID-19. Please note that if you are the emergency contact or Power of Attorney (POA) for a resident who tests positive, you will be contacted directly by the home. For additional details on COVID-19, please visit the Durham Region COVID-19 Data Tracker. We continue to follow all IPAC, Public Health and Ministry requirements and will update this site as required. Thank you for your understanding as we move forward through this difficult time. The health and safety of our residents—and the team members who care for them—remains our highest priority.
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The health and safety of our residents—and the team members who care for them—remains our highest priority. We continue to monitor the situation closely. Please see below for measures we are taking to help prevent outbreak in our home
For the most up-to-date information about COVID-19 in Durham Region, visit durham.ca/NovelCoronavirus.
FAQ's - I'm a family member and would like more information |
What are the current requirements to visit?
Do I need to be tested prior to arriving at the long-term care home? No, you will be tested upon entry into the home. Upon arrival, caregivers and visitors will be asked to change into a home-issued surgical mask, be actively screened, and then immediately proceed to rapid antigen testing. You will be asked to remain in the swabbing area until the test can be read (approximately 15 minutes). How many people can visit? A maximum of four people (caregivers and visitors) per resident at a time for indoor visits. Outdoor visits can be any size, space permitting. Can children visit? Yes, All general visitors, including children under the age of 5, can visit homes. Visitors, (including caregivers), with the exception of children under the age of 5, need to follow the vaccination policy of the individual long-term care home. What proof of vaccination is needed at the screening desk? Proof of vaccination is no longer required to enter a Regional Long-Term Care home. Where can I go while visiting? Visiting can occur in resident rooms, in the hallways of the home area, home area lounges, and TV rooms. Visiting in common areas off the home areas is permitted, however must social distance from all other residents and visitors. Residents are recommended to wear a mask (if tolerated) while in the common areas. Should the home be placed into an isolation, precaution situation or outbreak, the home will then determine the visiting area locations, and provide direction to visitors and caregivers. Are visitors allowed to eat and drink in the home and remove their mask while in the resident’s room? No, visitors and caregivers must remain masked at all time while in the home. Fully vaccinated caregivers and general visitors may accompany a resident for meals to assist with eating, however the visitor should always remain masked and not eat with the resident. Are activities are still permitted? To support the mental health and well-being of residents, activities within the home – such as communal dining, social activities and exercise classes – continue to be permitted, but large group activities are discouraged and residents will be cohorted on their home areas for any high-risk activities, such as dining, singing and dancing. Are there specific visiting hours? We encourage regular visits from family and friends. Family and friends are welcome to participate in our social programs, Family Council and resident care conferences. There are no restricted visiting hours. However, we ask visitors to check with staff if they want to visit between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. Can I take my loved one home or on a day outing? Yes, and residents who leave the home on day and overnight absences do not need to isolate upon return however when returning from an absence (either day or overnight), residents must undergo a PCR test on Day 5 of their return. What happens when the resident returns home from the outing? Upon return from a day social absence, the resident will be actively screened. Residents will then receive a PCR test on day five post absence. No quarantine is required unless a positive result is received. Residents will be monitored daily for symptoms, including daily temperature checks. Do Individuals taking a resident on a day absence require testing? No, individuals only require testing if they are entering the home or taking part in an outdoor visit. Can a resident leave for a medical appointment? Yes, medical appointments are permitted. What happens if I test positive with COVID-19 and I have recently visited or spent time with a resident? Please call and advise the home immediately. The home will consult with Public Health to determine risk and timing of the exposure, and be advised if any isolation and testing is required of the resident and/or the home area. |
FAQ - I’m a community member and would like to thank staff |
Your support and encouragement means the world to our team. A simple thank you goes a long way. You can send us a note electronically, and we will share it with the team. For the health and safety of our residents and staff, we are not accepting donations of homemade food or other gifts. |
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