Our response to COVID-19
Published on June 17, 2020
At V!VA Retirement Communities, the safety and health of our Community Members, their families and our Team Members is our top priority.
Given COVID-19’s elevated risk to older adults, we are being as transparent as possible regarding our response to this evolving situation. V!VA continues to monitor developments and recommendations around COVID-19 through official federal and provincial sources, including Public Health, Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, the Retirement Home Regulatory Authority (RHRA), the Ministry of Seniors and Accessibility, and the Ontario Retirement Communities Association (ORCA).
Below is a summary of the key protocols we have enacted to help reduce the risk to our Community Members and Team Members:
As of June 17, 2020
Based on direction provided by Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health and the Ministry of Seniors and Accessibility, V!VA Retirement Communities has updated protocols regarding family visitors effective June 18, 2020. Please refer to the following documents for details:
– COVID-19 Visitors Program June 18 2020 V1.0
– COVID-19 Visitors IPAC Package June 18 2020 V1.0
As of June 10, 2020
The following protocols remain in place at all V!VA Retirement Communities:
– All meals are currently served to Community Members in their suites and feature a selection of V!VAlicious options.
– Personal protective equipment (PPE) is required to be worn by Team Members. Masks are provided to Community Members upon leaving the Community for medical appointments.
– Only essential visitors are permitted entry into the Community. This includes private caregivers, or family members of Community Members who are ill.
– All Community Members, Team Members and essential visitors are actively screened upon arrival and departure from the Community.
– Information and education is provided to Team Members and Community Members regarding best practices for COVID-19 prevention in and out of the Community.
– Proper hand-washing and use of hand sanitizer (which is provided throughout the Community) is actively promoted.
– Twice-daily wellness checks for Community Members, including temperature readings and review for symptoms.
– Increased cleaning and disinfection of high-traffic areas and high-touch surfaces.
– Scheduled visitors are permitted on the grounds under social distancing protocols. Please speak with your Community regarding how to book a visit.
– In-person tours are not currently permitted, but virtual tours are available. Please contact your Community’s Community Relations Manager to schedule a virtual tour.
As of April 1, 2020
Under guidance of the Chief Medical Officer of Ontario, the following protocols have now been implemented:
– Community Members will be actively screened at least twice a day including a temperature check.
– Community Members are being asked to reschedule all doctor and non-essential appointments and to check with the doctor’s office before they go to determine if the visit is essential under these circumstances.
– As individuals over 70 have been asked to self-isolate; therefore, for those living in retirement communities, it means not leaving the Community.
– Those who must leave will be screened upon departure and reminded of the directive to do so only for essential reasons; they will also be actively screened upon return.
– Team Members and external care providers are actively screened twice daily upon arrival and departure from the Community. We are moving to checking everyone’s temperature as well.
– Anyone with a fever or any symptoms will not be permitted entry to the Community.
– While visitors are permitted on the grounds outside of the building, we are strongly discouraging this based on the Chief Medical Officer recommendation that individuals over the age of 70 self-isolate.
– Given the restrictions around visitors in the Community, we encourage family and friends to take full advantage of available technology, such as email, phone and teleconferencing (via FaceTime or other apps) to continue engaging with your loved ones.
As of March 23, 2020
Under guidance of a new directive issued today by the Chief Medical Officer of Ontario which is now being recommended by the RHRA and ORCA: As of today, all Community Members are asked to not leave their retirement community for any socializing, including short stays for visits with family or friends. If Community Members wish to see their loved ones, we are asking that they visit together outside on the retirement community’s property while practising safe social distancing.
As of March 13, 2020:
– Permitting only essential visitors entry into the Community. Essential visitors are defined as individuals visiting Community Members who are very ill. This protocol has been enacted at the advice of the Ontario Ministry of Health & Long Term Care and the Retirement Home Regulatory Authority.
– Screening of all approved visitors upon arrival and logging upon entry and exit.
– Promoting proper hand hygiene for Team Members, Community Members, and guests.
– Making hand sanitizer available throughout amenity spaces.
– On-going monitoring of Community Members for signs and symptoms.
– Implementing travel-related protocols for all Team Members and Community Members, including a 14-day self-isolation period upon return from any affected areas.
– Encouraging social distancing by all Team Members, Community Members and visitors where feasible.
If you have any questions regarding V!VA’s COVID-19 response, please contact your nearest V!VA Retirement Community and ask to speak with the Community Director or Wellness Manager.
Please check this page often for any updates regarding V!VA Retirement Communities’ response to the COVID-19 situation.
