Long-Term Care Homes COVID-19 Update

Should you have any questions, please reach out to a member of the management team at the home.

My loved one is currently a resident in a Regional long-term care home, am I able to visit them?

To ensure the safety of vulnerable residents in Durham Region’s Long-Term Care Homes (Hillsdale Estates, Hillsdale Terraces, Fairview Lodge and Lakeview Manor), visiting is now restricted to essential visitors only. Essential visitors are those who have a loved one who is dying or very ill. No other visitors are permitted to enter the premises, including volunteers, entertainers and church groups. Residents are encouraged to keep in touch with loved ones by phone or other technologies wherever possible. Essential visitors will be actively screened as they enter the premises, for the safety of facility staff and residents. The visit will also be limited to the one resident and must not visit anyone else in the home.

The health and well-being of all Ontarians, including long-term care residents, their families, and staff, is our government’s number one priority.

What preventative measures are being taken to keep my loved one safe?

All Regional long-term care homes are actively screening anyone coming into their homes. We continue to monitor the situation closely.

We have enhanced sanitation measures and continue to encourage those in our homes to practise good hygiene. We are limiting close interactions among those within our homes. Plus, we are isolating residents who show symptoms, to help prevent the spread of this virus; and employees are wearing personal protective equipment (includes a surgical mask with a shield, a gown and gloves) when caring for symptomatic residents.

As of March 19, staff employed at a Regional long-term care home are not permitted to work at more than one facility, as a further precaution to help reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19.

We have been following direction from the Ministry of Health since the pandemic began. This includes actively screening all employees and visitors, social distancing, reinforcing hand hygiene and ensuring staff do not report to work if ill.

These practices have been put into place to help ensure the continued health and safety of our residents, and the individuals who provide a high level of care in our homes.

All Regional homes were also closed to non-essential visitors, effective March 14. This practice will continue until further notice.

My loved one lives in a unit where someone tested positive. What are you doing to limit the spread?

Regional long-term care homes are committed to providing exceptional care, following all Ministry regulations. The health, safety and well-being of those within our care are the highest priority.

Personal protective equipment (PPE) must be changed between residents so if the employee gives care to the resident who tested positive, the employee will need to change their PPE before caring for your loved one.

Should your loved one test positive for COVID-19, in addition to maintaining our regular high level of care, employees are required to wear personal protective equipment (includes a surgical mask with a shield, a gown and gloves) when entering the rooms of any symptomatic residents. This gear is changed before and after any interaction with symptomatic residents.

Employees are diligent in the monitoring of these patients.

Plus, employees who work in a unit where someone tested positive will be asked to work isolate. This means that staff working in the impacted unit work only on that unit and then are required to self-isolate at home. They are also required to take their temperature twice daily and continue to self-monitor.

How are staff screened for COVID-19?

All staff are to self-screen at home and not to report to work if they are ill. Upon entering the building are actively screened using a screening tool developed by the Ministry of Health.

What criteria is used to determine if a resident is showing symptoms of COVID-19?

Residents are being monitored for symptoms fever, unusual respiratory symptoms such as cough, runny nose, nasal congestion, sore throat. If symptoms develop, they are immediately placed in isolation and monitored closely. 

How are staff members managing social distancing for the residents? 

Group activities have been suspended throughout the homes since the COVID-19 measures were put in place. While the layouts of long-term care homes vary, staff are encouraging social distancing in group areas such as dining rooms. If residents are symptomatic, they are isolated in their room. For residents in isolation who are not compliant, staff monitor closely and redirect.

Are activities for residents ongoing in all the units?

In place of group activities, more one-on-one activities are taking place with social distancing in mind.

During an outbreak, are residents in the infected unit free to visit common areas of the home, such as the dining room?

When there is an outbreak of any sort in the home, whether it is rhino, influenza or COVID-19, affected residents are isolated to their room, including for meals and the home area is closed.  Residents who are not affected are able to move freely through the home area, but restricted form leaving.

Are staff wearing personal protective equipment in all areas of the homes?

We are following infection control protocols; staff are wearing personal protective equipment, including a surgical mask with a shield, a gown and gloves when providing care to residents in isolation.

Are families permitted to drop off cards, treats, or other items for their loved ones or caregivers during this current lockdown? 

Send a greeting card to your loved one in long-term care

Families may drop off physical items at the front screening table. Items should be clearly labelled with the resident’s name and room number. We ask that you do not bring in homemade treats or food.  

Should you have any further questions, please reach out to your manager.

What is the notification process if a resident tests positive for COVID-19?

Following confirmation from Durham Region Health Department of a positive test result, home staff will immediately notify family members and employees.

When are employees required to wear personal protective equipment (includes a surgical mask with a shield, a gown and masks)?

Employees are required to wear personal protective equipment (includes a surgical mask with a shield, a gown and gloves) when entering the rooms of any symptomatic resident. This PPE must be changed before and after any interaction with symptomatic resident. Hand hygiene must be performed before donning and after doffing.

If a resident tests positive on a unit, will everyone be tested?

If there is one confirmed case on a unit, and others have been in contact with that individual and have similar symptoms, they will not necessarily be tested. This process is consistent with other home outbreaks. The same preventative measures would be used for these individuals to help reduce the spread of illness within the home and community.

If a resident tests positive on my unit, how long will I be in work isolation?

Employees who work in a unit where someone tested positive will be asked to work isolate. This means that staff working in the impacted unit would only work on that unit and cannot leave the unit to provide care in another home area. You will be required to self-isolate at home outside of work hours. This includes taking your temperature twice daily. If you show symptoms, you may be swabbed. If you become ill outside of work, you will need to call Durham Region Health Department to coordinate assessment and testing. If you test positive, you will need two negative swabs before allowed to return to work.

I am displaying symptoms, should I return to work?

Please follow the advice of Durham Region Health Department. If you show symptoms at work, you will be swabbed before you go home. If you become ill outside of work, you will need to call Durham Region Health Department to coordinate assessment and testing. If you test positive, you will need two negative swabs before allowed to return to work.

I returned from a trip outside of Canada, should I come back to work?

You will be required to monitor yourself for symptoms and self isolate at home for 14 days. Please follow the advice of Durham Region Health Department.

What procedures should I follow if I have been in contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19?

Please follow the advice of Durham Region Health Department. Employees who work in a unit where someone tested positive will be asked to work isolate. This means that staff working in the impacted unit would only work on that unit and cannot leave the unit to provide care in another home area. You will be required to self-isolate at home outside of work hours. This includes taking your temperature twice daily. If you show symptoms at work, you will be swabbed before you go home. If you become ill outside of work, you will need to call Durham Region Health Department to coordinate assessment and testing. If you test positive, you will need two negative swabs before allowed to return to work.

Should I be wearing a N95 mask?

Based on scientific evidence, you are only required to wear a N95 mask when providing direct care that involves suctioning, a CPAP machine, aerosol generating and NP swabbing of residents. Otherwise, you can use droplet/contact precautions when providing care to a resident in isolation.

I live with someone who is high risk, how do I protect them?

To help reduce the spread of this illness within our homes and the community, please follow the advice of Durham Region Health Department and home officials about preventative measures and proper precautions. You may also consider bringing a clean change of clothes with you to work and changing into them once your shift is complete.

Will all employees and residents in the home be tested?

Currently, Durham Region Health Department is only testing those individuals who are most seriously ill. This process will ensure that we have enough testing kits available for those who need them.

Are employees who work at Regional long-term care homes allowed to work at other facilities in the community?

As of March 19, staff employed at a Regional long-term care home are not permitted to work at more than one facility, as a further precaution to help reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19.