November 20, 2020 – COVID 19 Update

Greetings to All,

I wish to acknowledge all the staff of St. Andrews Centre for their ongoing hard work and dedication during this destructive pandemic. For the last 10 months they have continued to provide quality service and accommodations to our cherished residents while coping with the ongoing pressures presented by this horrible virus. For me, our staff are the heroes of our facility striving each shift to ensure the safety and well-being of our beloved community.

The rising numbers of COVID 19 cases in the Edmonton zone is troubling. Several residences in our immediate area and of similar status to our Centre are on watch or outbreak measures. We understand how unsettling this can feel especially for our seniors and those already managing illnesses.

As we face the coming weeks of uncertainty, we must remain vigilant in our efforts to protect our home. This is a shared responsibility among all who live, work, and visit our Centre. We will be rigorously monitoring our common areas/shared spaces to ensure compliance with guidelines previously communicated to all though the newsletters, memo updates and social media posts.

Residents must remain conscious of their actions to protect themselves and others. Understandably there is a sense of COVID fatigue and frustration however we must not allow complacency to change our mindset on prevention. We continue to encourage ALL RESIDENTS to wear masks outside of their suites, complete hand hygiene and physically distance while socializing in the community. If you are feeling ill stay in your suite and if you are concerned about COVID related symptoms contact management immediately via the telephone.

Designated visitors continue to be an important part of wellness in our community for the residents they support. Designated visitors are asked to review their own need to be physically present to support a loved one to reduce the amount of times they enter our facility and to be accountable of the potential risk they bring entering our community.

I remind everyone that all designated visitors must:

• Be 18 years of age or older.
• Enter through the main lobby doors- NO EXCEPTIONS
• Complete health screening (including a temperature check).
• Wear a mask continuously.
• Sanitize their hands upon entry and exit.
• Visitors must only visit with the resident they are supporting in the resident’s suite.
• No access to common areas within the Centre is permitted. Upon entrance to the site designated visitors must go directly to the resident’s suite.
• Designated visitors are not allowed overnight visits.

The purpose of a designated visitor is to support the resident on an ongoing basis to assist with their personal needs. The intent is not to change designated visitor selections to support social visits, out of town guests, etc. This protocol is strongly applied for all residents. I know that many residents have multiple children, grandchildren, friends and loved ones who are not designated visitors that they wish to visit however access into our Centre is not permitted. Residents may book the Father Irwin Room for social visits of up to 5 people at a time (resident included). Please note that minors are counted as a guest. Food and drinks are not permitted in the Father Irwin Room. I remind residents that visits in this area may be suspended at any time should the level of risk involving community transmission become high for our internal population.

Residents are urged to postpone all non-urgent activities outside of the facility to limit their personal risk of exposure and are reminded that the Centre has reduced all unnecessary public traffic into the building as a safe guard measure for protecting our community.

Should new directives be introduced by regulatory agencies for our Province, City or industry St. Andrews Centre will follow those guidelines immediately.

Administration continues to encourage residents to call the main office for workorders, questions, concerns, etc rather than visit us in person to limit the amount of foot traffic in the office. All return to sender mail can be deposited into the mail slot located on the parcel delivery box in the Atrium. Preferred payment for invoices is by debit or credit card.

Should you have any questions please feel free to call me at 587-525-8708 or the main office at 780-452-4444 ext#0 for assistance.

Stay Safe and Healthy,

Wanda Beaudoin

Chief Operating Officer

St. Andrew’s Centre