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News Advertiser
APRIL 8, 2020
www.NewsAdvertiser.com
Vegreville Senior Lodges Take Measures to Combat COVID-19 Rosanne Fortier News Correspondent Vegreville Senior Lodges have all implemented various measures to protect their residents, staff, and visitors. A few of the senior assisted living facilities provided information as to how they protect the most vulnerable, who are their residents. Leslie Beard, Communication Contractor for Century Park, said they have an extensive infection control process in place at Century Park as they do all the facilities that they operate. “Our goal always is to protect the health care professionals that provide services to their residents and our residents who call Century Park their home. So, what we are doing right now is putting the following measures into place. We got enhance screening for the virus and this follows the government’s guidelines; it is for staff and it is for residents.
We also put in place procedures for anyone who comes in and visits. We allow one essential visitor; one designated person for residents. It is usually a family member and that person who comes in has to go through a whole protocol of infection control procedures before we even let them in to visit their family members. They, (visitors), have to do this each time someone comes in. That involves a number of things; hand washing, taking their temperature, it involves filling out a form where we check to see if they are showing symptoms. It is very extensive. We enhanced our cleaning and sanitation particularly in high tech areas in all our facilities and we are ensuring that we have adequate supplies in place in each facility in case of an outbreak. We are doing a lot to prevent the COVID-19 and we are closing following and monitoring all recommendations from Alberta Health Services and the Provincial Health Officer and everyone else out there which includes the local health organization and federally the Public Health Agency of Canada.” In a press release from Alberta Health Services, it stated: “The Vegreville Care Centre effective March 18, visitors to long-term care or continuing care facilities are restricted to essential visitors only. Essential visitors are defined as those
Sidewalk Art to Brighten People’s Spirits Rosanne Fortier News Correspondent Chelsea and Lillian decided to engage in some sidewalk art for something to do. They wrote the slogan by it to spread some cheer as they expressed it is kind of a sad time since the world changed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
This is one of the drawings and slogan on people’s sidewalks lately. (Rosanne Fortier/photo)
providing care necessary for the well-being of the residents, and those attending to a resident who is dying. Essential visitors are restricted to one individual at a time and those visits must be immediate family or a designated person. The restrictions apply to all long term supporting sites owned and operated by Alberta Health Services. Additionally, no children will be allowed to visit. Exceptions to this restriction would be considered in certain circumstances but will require review and approval by a unit manager or a nursing staff on a call-by-call basis. As already was in place, no individual who is ill will be permitted to visit a patient in any AHS facility. All visitors will be asked to complete a screening questionnaire to provide to ensure they are well.” They encourage families and facilities to consider alternate methods of communication.
