COVID-19

Updates on the Novel Coronavirus COVID-19

A Message from the CEO

Update to Families - Effective January 18th 2021:

As you are aware the Odd Fellow & Rebekah Home has been conducting weekly surveillance testing on our staff. The most recent testing was completed on January 13th, 2021. As a result of this recent testing, the Baldwin Lane & Kempenfelt Court Resident Home areas (RHA) have been placed in Outbreak for COVID-19.
Please note that to date no Residents have tested positive. Swabbing of all Residents on Baldwin Lane was completed on January 15th, 2021. Swabbing of Kempenfelt Court Residents will be completed today, January 18th, 2021. Also, as part of the Outbreak Protocols, all Baldwin Lane Residents & Kempenfelt Court Residents will be placed in isolation for up to 14 days.
All Residents, with prior consent, have received their first dose of the Pfizer vaccine for COVID-19.
Rest assured that we continue to follow the directions/guidelines set out by Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit (SMDHU). The Home continues to practice all infection prevention and control (IPAC) measures to ensure every possible step is taken to protect our Residents, your family members, and staff.
The health and safety of our Residents, and the team members who serve them, is our highest priority.
We will update you as further information becomes available.

Update to Families - Effective December 30th, 2020

Dear Residents, Family Members and Staff:

As you're aware the Honourable Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario, announced a Province Wide Level Grey Lockdown which became effective December 26, 2020 and will last for at least 28 days.

We are taking extra measures including extra Plexiglas to create barriers in home areas. Residents are monitored and assessed for symptoms twice daily. IPAC education continues with staff and we continue enhanced infection control measures throughout. Nearly 40% of our staff have already received the Health Canada Approved Pfizer Vaccine as part of the roll out to protect our seniors. The vaccinations will continue as the vaccines are made available to the home.

We are emphasizing with all staff the continued importance of PPE, physical distancing and routine testing while limiting their activities in the community to only those that are considered essential.
We are requesting that you do not bring any parcels into the home for delivery.
The health and safety of our Residents, and the team members who serve them, is our highest priority.
We acknowledge how difficult this will be on our Residents and their family but is a necessary step to protect your loved ones.

Public Health continues to report a surge in community acquired Covid positive cases. Today Ontario reports record-high 2553 new COVID-19 cases. We have been advised that there are several Essential Caregivers to Long Term Care homes, in Simcoe County, who have tested positive, including the IOOF Homes. For this reason we are temporarily suspending all Visitors, including Essential Visitors, effective Wednesday, December 30, 2020. General Visitors continue to be restricted. Virtual Visits remain the safest option and can be booked by appointment at recreation@ioof.com.

Effective Wednesday, December 30th, 2020, essential visits by designated caregivers are temporarily suspended.

ALL VISITS, both indoor and outdoor, are suspended under the Grey (Lockdown) Zone.

The following directives made by order of Dr. Charles Gardner, Medical Officer of Health for the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit are still in effect:

2. Immediately cease permitting Residents to leave the facility for "short-stay absences and temporary absences" except for those required for health care, regardless of whether the facility is currently experiencing an outbreak of communicable disease. However, Residents are permitted outside their facility remaining on the facility's property and maintaining at least a two (2) metre distance from any other person;

At the IOOF Seniors Homes we recognize the importance of family/friends visiting and value maintaining connectivity amongst family members/significant others and our Residents.

Additionally, all short stay and temporary absences have been suspended. The only absence permitted is for medical reasons.

The IOOF continues to be vigilant in this fight against COVID–19. This means we will continue our efforts to adhere to all measures and directives that are issued by public health. We want to assure you that the care and well being of your family member remains our top priority. We are learning through this together. Thank you for your immense patience during these very challenging days and for entrusting the care of your loved ones to the staff of our Home. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

If you have any questions or need further clarification, please don't hesitate to contact the Home.

Warmest regards,
Garry C. Hopkins, CEO

Important Links:

Government of Ontario Website

Please review the following before your next visit:

https://www.publichealthontario.ca/-/media/documents/ncov/ipac/ppe-recommended-steps
https://www.publichealthontario.ca/en/videos/ipac-fullppe-on
https://www.publichealthontario.ca/en/videos/ipac-fullppe-off
https://www.publichealthontario.ca/en/videos/ipac-handwash

Vaccines for Designated Caregivers:

COVID-19 Update to Caregivers
COVID-19 Vaccine Information Sheet
Getting Ready for your COVID-19 Vaccine
COVID-19 Vaccine Screening and Consent Form

VISITORS AT THE HOME:

Please contact recreation@ioof.com to arrange your visit.

Your 3 Options for Visiting at the HOME are as follows:
Option 1 – Safe Virtual Visits – No Risk
SUSPENDED - Option 2 – Safe Partitioned Patio Visits – Low Risk to Resident – Please read our guidelines. - No COVID test required.
SUSPENDED - Option 3 – Outdoor Visiting - Heightened Risk (Maximum 2 visitors at one time - No COVID test required)

SUSPENDED - Option 4 - Indoor Visit - High Risk (Must have a current negative COVID-19 Test)

PLEASE READ:

Update to Families and Staff - December 8th

Essential Visitor and Caregiver Guidelines at the Odd Fellow & Rebekah Home

Retrieving Your COVID-19 Test Results

Visiting Summary at the Odd Fellow & Rebekah Home

Visiting Guidelines for the Odd Fellow & Rebekah Home

Short Stay & Temporary Absence Guidelines

Short Stay & Temporary Absence Request FORM

(Please note that request forms are reviewed, processed, and approved Monday to Friday,

9 am to 5pm)

Essential Visitor & Caregiver Designation FORM

(Please note that designation forms are reviewed, processed, and approved Monday to Friday,

9 am to 5pm)

Long Term Care Visitors Brochure

Ontario Health Poster

Ontario Ministry of Long-Term Care FAQ's Absences

VISITORS AT HERITAGE PLACE:

Please contact kritchie@ioof.com to arrange your visit.

Your 3 options for visiting Heritage Place are as follows:

Option 1 – Safe Virtual Visits – No Risk
Option 2 – Outdoor Patio Visits – Moderate Risk
Option 3 – Indoor Visiting (two visitors only) – Heightened Risk

PLEASE READ:
Visiting Guidelines for Heritage Place

Heritage Place Visitors Brochure

VIRTUAL VISITS:

We are offering virtual visits and encouraging email communications with your loved ones.
For e-mail communication send an e-mail to: inquiries@ioof.com and our support staff will print and deliver your message to your loved one.

Facetime and Skype can be arranged by contacting recreation@ioof.com

Please note that there are dedicated days and times. Send us an email to book an appointment for a 10-15 minute virtual visit.
We look forward to connecting you with your loved one.

Having difficulties getting set up on a virtual visiting app? Visit the link below for some help:

https://fco.ngo/covid-19/virtual-visits-toolkit

RESIDENT & FAMILY COUNCIL:

Please note that we are sharing important updates with our Resident and Family Council. For the most up to date COVID-19 Resident & Family Communications please visit the following links:

http://www.ontarc.com

https://fco.ngo/covid-19