As we go into the fall season and activities go indoors, we will continue to adapt to a ‘new normal’ and learn to live with Covid-19 and although this new normal may appear challenging, and at times scary, you are not alone. We, at Chatham-Kent Hospice, understand the importance of being present with your loved one as they embark on their end-of-life journey.

We want to support you and help you create special memories with your loved one, safely. To ensure we continue to protect our residents, visitors, physicians, volunteers and staff, we have reviewed our precautions and safety protocols and have adjusted accordingly.

Please know that our Hospice residents continue to be our first priority and our professional care team continues to provide compassionate care. As such, the guidelines outlined below will be updated as the situation with COVID-19 continues to evolve. We will continue to monitor what is happening in our hospitals with COVID-19 and will make adjustments accordingly. With that in mind we will continue with the following guidelines for visitors.

Screening and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Active screening protocols for all visitors, staff, and volunteers remain in place and frequent cleaning and disinfecting of high touch objects and surfaces is being adhered to.

All visitors will continue to be actively screened with each visit this includes:

• Undergo and pass the screening questions
• Perform hand hygiene
• Wear personal protective equipment which may include: mask, gown, and face shield
• Whenever exiting a resident’s room, please remove your soiled PPE (gown) inside of the resident’s room, place in the receptacle and complete hand hygiene before walking through Hospice. A new gown should be applied when returning into the resident’s room.
• Please remember when you exit hospice, leave your face shield in appropriate container at the reception
• All visitors will continue to have a COVID rapid antigen test perform by hospice staff/volunteer when entering the Hospice building. If the rapid antigen test is positive the visitor will be asked to

** Please note that if there are other visitors being rapid tested you may be asked to wait in your vehicle until we can safely bring you in, keeping the two (2) meter distance with others**

Any visitor who fails the screening will not be permitted to visit. Visitors who are feeling unwell at any time are encouraged to immediately report their symptoms to the nursing staff for guidance.

Visiting Guidelines

We understand the importance of visiting your loved one during this very difficult time and have put in place the following guidelines out of necessity for the safety of all concerned.

• The Primary Caregiver/Essential Visitor may visit at any time; however, they must ensure the maximum number visitors on-site defined for their loved one does not exceed five (5) at one time
• Unlimited visitors can visit. There will only be five (5) allowed in the room at one time. When entering hospice you need to make sure that the receptionist or staff sign you When leaving please make sure to tell the receptionist/staff, even if it’s going outside for a cigarette. If a sixth (6th) visitor arrives the receptionist/staff will call into the room to see if anyone is leaving so that person can come visit.
• All visitors must wear a surgical mask. If the resident is in isolation a gown and face shield is also required and must be worn at all times during your visit. The face shield and mask can only be removed when you are eating or
• When the resident is out of isolation face shield is
• If you are a visitor and plan to visit, we encourage you to contact your loved one or the Primary Caregiver to see what time would be best
• We ask that all visitors take precautions to limit their potential exposure to COVID-19. Please see below for further expectations of a designated visitor

Expectations of a Designated Visitor

As a designated visitor for someone who is currently residing in Chatham-Kent Hospice, we ask that you take preventative measures to reduce the transmission of and exposure to germs and viruses, including influenza, common colds, and COVID-19:

• Avoid going out into public, and take enhanced measures, as able, to reduce your exposure to COVID-19. (i.e. use curbside pickup for purchases)
• Wash hands often with soap and water, for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use a 70% alcohol-based hand sanitizer;
• Avoid touching your face with unwashed hands;
• Practice good cough etiquette (maintain distance, sneeze/cough into your elbow or a tissue, not in your hands and put used tissues in a waste receptacle and wash hands immediately after using tissues)
• Practice social distancing to avoid coming into close contact with others including:
  • avoiding crowded places and non-essential gatherings
  • avoiding common greetings such as handshakes
  • limiting contact with people at higher risk (older adults and those in poor health)
  • keeping a distance of at least 2 arms lengths (approximately 2 metres) from others, as much as possible
• Get your COVID-19 and flu vaccines

Visiting Options

We want to help our residents and their loved ones to stay connected as much as possible keeping the safety of everyone in mind. Please encourage additional family members and friends to stay in touch by scheduling a garden window visit or Courtyard visit. The other options are to connect by phone, video chat (FaceTime, Skype) or send an email. Please let us know how we can help coordinate this for you.

Garden Window Visits

• Visitors must phone the reception desk to pre-arrange their visits in coordination with the resident & Hospice. Please note that garden window visits may only take place during reception hours
• Visitors are required to wear a face mask for the visit
• Visitors may bring a lawn chair
• Physical distancing (2 metres) applies for all visitors
• Windows may be open if the resident and any visitors in the suite are 2 metres from the window.

OR

• Windows in the suite will remain closed and the visitor will be provided with the hospice phone number and suite extension to facilitate phone communication

Reception Desk Hours

The reception desk continues to be staffed between the core hours of 8:30am-8:30pm, 7 days a week. Please note that reception hours may be reduced based on staff or volunteer availability. We ask that any visitors arriving before or after these times, to please be patient with us as staff may be delayed in answering the door if providing care to one of our residents.

Common Areas

We also ask that visitors stay in the resident suite or one of the dedicated spaces for residents and visitors once in the building. We currently have our Reflection Room and Great Room open for use by residents and visitors. Please maintain 2 arm lengths (2 meters) from others in these areas. For enhanced cleaning, visitors must check in with the reception desk or the clinical team to access one of these spaces, and when done using the space.

Questions?

We want you to know that our priority is to ensure the safety of our residents, visitors, volunteers, physicians and employees while continuing to provide excellent care and services. Our staff appreciate your understanding and cooperation in helping us deliver safe care to you and your loved one. As always, thank you for entrusting us with the care of your loved one. It is truly an honour and our privilege.