Long Term Care (LTC) facilities have now begun allowing in-person visitors to residents.
During Phase 2 of Emerging Wisely, residents will be able to have one visitor, over 18 years of age.
According to a press release, LTC management and staff are now working with residents and families to choose one ‘essential’ visitor for each resident. Staff are also putting a schedule in place to ensure only five visitors at any one time is in the facility.
An ‘essential visitor’ can be anyone the resident selects for visitation.
“We just got this news and are still in the early stages,” says Maeve Dempsey, recreational aid for Fort Simpson LTC facility.
“Each Long Term Care facility and units have a set plan specific to their space. Visitors may need to work with staff to schedule visits to limit the number of visitors on-site at any given time, this collaborative approach will allow us to facilitate visitation,” says Maguire.
Visitors will need to go through a screening process, wear a mask, sanitize, and social distance while they are visiting.
David Maguire says if COVID-19 returns to the territories, long term care would be one of the first areas to tighten restrictions.
Elders day programs
Elder and senior day programs, run outside of LTC facilities, will also be opening up to community members.
Ten people, including facilitators and staff, is the limit for each program event and will be monitored by a sign-in log.
All clients and participants will be subject to the same health and safety protocols as outlined by LTC facilities.
