Message from Therapeutic Recreation and Spiritual Health Departments

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Hello!  We understand how hard it is for you and your loved one to be separated from each other.

We have set up ways for you to connect with this using FaceTime.  If you would like us to arrange a time for you to talk to your loved one, face to face, we will need the following information from you:

  1. Your full name, cell number and who you wish to contact.
  2. Please include what days and times are best for you to connect.  We will begin working on a schedule.  If there is a very large request for more times and evenings, we will figure that out.  But, this is a start!
  3. Email to janet.conrad@simkincentre.ca

If you do not have the technology to FaceTime, we can discuss other options as we are open to set up anything for you to see and get peace of mind that your loved one is doing great.

We should be putting this all together by Monday (March 23) and will be able to start this process of connecting you and your loved one.

At this time, it is also recommended that you keep in contact by phone, but you can also deliver to the front door care packages of little notes, pictures (maybe something colored by the grandchildren), fresh baking or other treats you feel that your loved one might enjoy.  Also, you can put essential items in there if that is something you’ve been doing.  We will make sure that all are delivered.  Just please have these items placed in a box or bag clearly marked with their name on it.

The Therapeutic Recreation staff are working hard to continue recreation activities on each unit and bringing joy and happiness into all our residents’ lives.  Please check our Facebook Page (www.facebook.com/simkincentre) and Instagram (instagram.com/simkincentre).

We are looking forward to getting all of your contact information!  Be well!

Alyssa, Heather, Lori, Olga and Cathy from the Therapeutic Recreation Department and Lori and Marilyn from the Spiritual Health Department

Update and Thank You

2020-Mar-20-Residents-FamiliesDownload

To:               Residents and Families of Residents

From:           Laurie Cerqueti, CEO

Date:            March 20, 2020

Subject:       Update and Thank You

Thank you for your patience and support during this very difficult and unprecedented time.  Your words of encouragement have brought comfort and strength to all of us.  I am so proud of our staff for rising up, pulling together, and working as a team.

Our Leadership Team meets daily to discuss and make decisions as new information becomes available from Shared Health.

Donations of toothbrushes and tooth paste from dentists were made for our staff in the event they have to be at The Centre 24/7.  Also donated were travel sized shampoo, conditioner, body soap and body lotion.

Feeding and Swallowing training sessions are being conducted for non-medical staff in the event they are required to assist with feeding residents. 

Skype and/or FaceTime sessions for families are being arranged by our Therapeutic Recreation.  They will be sending out a message today explaining how you can connect with your loved ones.

Although the circumstances we face are challenging and changing quickly.  I want to assure you that your loved ones are being cared for.  We will be reviewing companion visits in the next 14 days.

I encourage you to check our Facebook Page and Instagram often.  We are posting pictures so that you can see us and hear about the things we are doing during this time of restricted visiting.  At this time, you can deliver care packages for your loved one at the front door.  Therapeutic Recreation will explain more in their communique later today.

If you would like to receive these updates directly by email, please email Janet at janet.conrad@simkincentre.ca

Memo to Residents and Families of Residents – Memo #3

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To:              Residents and Families of Residents

From:         Laurie Cerqueti, CEO

Date:          March 16, 2020

Subject:     COVID-19 UPDATE

Thank you for your patience and understanding as we continue to make these difficult decisions.  

  1. Our Adult Day Program will be closed until further notice starting March 17, 2020.
  2. Visiting hours will be limited from 12pm to 7pm and screening will take place upon entry. We strongly discourage visiting at this time.  Please do not visit if you are unwell.
  3. Residents should not be taken outside of the building for non-essential reasons.
  4. Our Café will be closed until further notice as of March 17, 2020.
  5. Companions will only have access through the Front Doors and will be screened upon entry.
  6. The Resident Library will be closed as of March 16, 2020.
  7. All off unit recreational and spiritual care programs have been canceled.
  8. Children’s toys and puzzles have been removed from the Atrium Area.
  9. Volunteer service is being discontinued until further notice.

The COVID-19 situation is changing quickly.  We will update you when more information becomes available.  I would advise you to prepare that in the near future we will most likely be restricting visitation altogether.

Thank you again for your patience and understanding.  You are welcome to call nursing units directly to get an update on your family member.

Stay Well!