COVID 19 Information and Updates - Terrace

Please check back often for new information and updates.

COVID UPDATE

The Ministry of Long Term Care is implementing temporary measures in light of the highly transmissible Omicron variant. These measures are necessary to provide optimal safety and support to residents while balancing the mental and emotional well- being of residents and their families, and to safeguard the staff who are critical to the care of the residents.

As previously communicated, only two people may visit a resident at one time.
Effective today, Dec 15^th, at 7pm general visitors who are not fully vaccinated (2 doses plus 14 days) may not enter the home.
Unvaccinated essential caregivers have until December 20^th to show proof of having their first dose of the COVID vaccine in order to continue to visit the home unless they have a valid medical exemption or are attending to a palliative resident. By Feb 21^st they must show proof of their second dose. In the interim, designated caregivers who are not fully vaccinated would need to restrict their visit to the resident’s room.
New requirements for rapid testing are in effect as of Thursday. All visitors, essential caregivers and volunteers must have a rapid test completed upon entering the home. Testing for visitors will be completed at the screening area and you must receive negative results before you go for your visit. Please build this extra 15 minutes of waiting time into your visiting schedule.
Residents will continue to be cohorted on their neighbourhoods and large group activities are discouraged.
Window and virtual visits may be arranged by contacting Mary Black at ext. 7266. Please note availability is limited for these visits but we will try our best to accommodate. If you are able to facilitate a virtual visit on your own with outside family members that would be appreciated in order to preserve appointment times for those who cannot come to the home. Please book your visits over the Christmas season until January 4^th by Dec 22^nd.
Resident overnight absences for social purposes regardless of residents’ vaccination status are now suspended. Residents who wish to leave the home overnight for social purposes or due to COVID-19 may be temporarily discharged and need to follow the re-admission protocol to return at a later date.
Day absences are on hold due to our current outbreak.
All family meals booked in the Wellington room and chapel are cancelled effective immediately.

In addition to the enhanced measures, all residents, staff and caregivers are strongly urged to receive a booster dose of the vaccine as soon as you become eligible, as the latest evidence shows that three doses of the vaccine are more effective against the Omicron variant that two doses. We understand that there may be further measures put in place by the province and we will update you when more information becomes available.

We thank you for your ongoing support and partnership as we take these difficult but necessary steps to safeguard our home.

Indoor Visiting:

Visiting hours are 10:30-6:30 daily with the last swab at 5:30 pm. No appointment is required.

Indoor visits may take place in the resident room or common spaces such as the neighborhood living room, courtyard, clearing or pavilion. We ask that when visiting a resident you stay within your small group and ensure physical distancing with all other residents and visitors.
Pets are permitted provided that they are well behaved, vaccines are up to date and they are on a leash. Please have your pet socialize only with your resident.
If you wish to take your loved one outside, please feel free to do so. Please keep in mind physical distancing requirements and avoid gathering with others.
Visitors must wear the PPE provided by the home for the entire duration of their visit.
As of Friday, July 16, visitors will no longer need to wear eye protection unless within 2m of a resident on contact /droplet precaution (in isolation) or our Home is in outbreak. If you wish to wear eye protection, please continue to bring it with you on each visit.
Please do not take your loved one outside to visit with people who have not been screened & booked
Visitors may bring in food and beverages to their loved one. The resident should consume food immediately as we are not able to store food items.
Visitors may not eat or drink during the visit as you are required to keep your mask on for the whole duration of your visit.

Outdoor Visits

When coming for an outdoor visit, you will need to be screened but not swabbed. Outdoor visits must be booked and you may do so by calling ext. 7266. To minimize any disappointment when people arrive without an appointment, please ensure that your family members are aware of the visiting protocols. Please do not bring your loved one outside to visit with people who have not been screen & booked.

Wellington Terrace is committed to opening safely and we reserve the right to limit the visiting capacity at any given time.

Essential Caregivers:

Residents in Long Term Care Homes may designate individuals as Essential Caregivers.

Essential caregivers are defined by the Ministry as important partners in care who provide direct care to the resident such as helping with feeding, mobility, hygiene or cognitive stimulation.

They may be a family member or a friend or a privately hired paid companion that visits only Wellington Terrace.

All visitors will be screened on entry to the building and must follow the COVID testing protocols set by the Ministry of Health.

In an outbreak situation the home will be directed by public health on visiting, swabbing and infection control protocols.
Visitors must wear a surgical mask and face shield (provided by the home) for the entire duration of their visit. no food or drink is permitted.

You may communicate to the home the essential care givers who have been identified for your resident. You may do this by emailing Peg Muhlbauer, Assistant Administrator at pegm@wellington.ca or calling 519 846 5359 ext. 7240.

All changes to the essential caregiver list need to be made in writing and planned prior to visiting the home.

Visitors must wear the PPE provided by the home for the entire duration of their visit. No food or drink is permitted.

Visitor Education:

Swabbing

Reminder: “Fully immunized” means a person has received the full series of COVID-19 vaccine or combination of COVID-19 vaccines approved by Health Canada and they have received their final dose of vaccine at least 14 days ago.

Rapid Antigen Testing

Rapid testing is a screening tool that is used to detect COVID in 15-20 minutes making it simpler and faster to identify potential COVID-19 positive cases that otherwise may have been missed. Rapid testing is considered highly effective in detecting those with enough virus to be considered infectious.

Vaccinations:

Are you looking for more information on the vaccines being offered in Ontario? We have compiled a list of resources that may be helpful to those looking for more information to make an informed decision.

“So, what’s in this vaccine?” – A blog post by Dr. Anne Marie Zajdlik

One Country AIDS Free: So, what's in this vaccine? (braceletofhope.blogspot.com)

Information about mRNA Vaccines:

COVID 19 Vaccine Fact Sheets (Ontario.ca):

Fact Sheet – COVID-19 vaccine fact sheet (EN) (FR)
Fact Sheet – COVID-19 vaccine: five things you need to know (EN) (FR)
Vaccine Q+A (EN) (FR)

Pre-register at the following: https://www.wdgpublichealth.ca/register You do not need to provide proof of association with the home.

If you have any questions regarding Wellington Dufferin Guelph's vaccine rollout plan, please visit their website at: www.wdgpublichealth.ca

Receiving Updates from the Home:

The home uses an automated system called One Call Now to provide updates to family members periodically. Updates can be sent by phone call, email or both. If you would like to receive these updates, contact Peg Muhlbauer, Assistant Administrator at pegm@wellington.ca or 519 846 5359 ext. 7240.

Window and Virtual Visits

Window visits are booked in advance by calling 519 846 5359 ext. 7266.

Residents sit inside the home with family outside in an enclosed space with heat. Communication is over the cellphone or through a two way monitor. Residents may wear blue tooth headsets in order to aide communication.

Visitors are asked to use the disinfectant wipes to clean the space after their visit.

Virtual visits may be facilitated phone calls, skype, zoom or facetime calls. Visits are facilitated through the neighborhood recreation therapist.

Tuck Cart

We have a Tuck Cart stocked with treats and seasonal items. Many residents enjoy picking out their own items. If you wish to treat your loved one to a gift certificate for the tuck cart this may be arranged by calling the business office at 519.846.5359 ext. 7226.

For additional information on COVID-19 please visit Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health's Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) webpage.

Additional Resources

As we collectively work through this challenging period together, the County would also like to share helpful resources that are available. We encourage you to visit our COVID-19 Support and Resources page for government resources, and business, agriculture, and economic development supports.

Contact Us:
Wellington Terrace
474 Charles Allan Way
Fergus ON N1M 0A1
T. 519.846.5359
F. 519.846.9192

COVID-19 Terrace Information and Updates