Long-Term Care Homes COVID-19 Update

Current as of March 22, 2023 at 12:04 p.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. The residents remain in isolation and the appropriate PPE must still be used until the outbreak is declared over.

The following information pertains to Rose Garden, Vineyard View and Garden Gate units only: 

• General visitors are currently paused. 
• Only one Essential caregiver is permitted to visit at a time. 
• Social absences for the unit are currently restricted
• Full droplet and contact precautions are required when going into an isolation room.
• N95 and face shields are required when entering the home area

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.

Current as of March 22, 2023 at 12:04 p.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. The residents remain in isolation and the appropriate PPE must still be used until the outbreak is declared over.

Information for Willow Way only:

- all residents are to remain on the Home area, unless isolating in their room

- general visitors are not permitted during this time

- residents may have one Essential Caregiver visit at a time

- Home area activities will continue for residents not isolating  

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 our receptionist at (905) 579-1777 Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and reception can direct your call accordingly.

For questions/concerns related to resident care, status, absences, and other resident matters, please contact the nursing station directly.

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.

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.

FAQ's  - I'm a family member and would like more information

Last updated: April 19, 2022

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

What are the current requirements to visit?

• 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.

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?

As of November 14th, 2022, masking remains a requirement for long-term care staff, as well as for visitors and others entering the Region's long-term care homes. 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 8 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 test or isolate upon return unless they are symptomatic or have tested positive for COVID-19.  

What happens when the resident returns home from the outing?

Upon return from a day social absence, the resident will be actively screened. Upon guidance from the MLTC with consultation from the Chief Medical Officer of Health, requirements for testing or isolation of residents after an absence will be removed unless they are symptomatic or have tested positive for COVID-19. 

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.

If you have other items you would like to donate, please check with our home administration first.