Infection Control Practices in the home are important for residents' health and safety. We would like to take a minute to refresh some important key concepts related to infection control. Please take a moment to review the information as part of your obligations as an essential caregiver.

Information below is from the attached package, here, April 17, 2025- Essential Caregiver Package

This letter and the attached information are to inform you of important Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) practices in the home to keep your loved one and yourself safe from infectious disease. Our home follows the guidance from Public Health, the Ministry of Long-Term Care, and the Ministry of Health.

Please review the information package, which includes, but is not limited to, infection prevention and control (IPAC), masking, visitors’ mandatory compliance with processes, hand hygiene, and maintenance of the highest level of IPAC standards prior to, during, and after visits;

• Public Health Ontario Resources

• Recommended Steps: Putting on Personal Protective Equipment

• Video: Putting on full personal protective equipment

• Video: Taking off full personal protective equipment

• Video: How to hand wash

• Video: How to hand rub

What are the ways we prevent illness in The Pines?

We have passive screening posted at the entrance to ensure we keep contagious viruses such as Influenza, Covid-19 and colds out of the home. Our residents are at risk of more severe illness if they catch these viruses. We also continue to follow public health measures including screening of all residents for covid signs and symptoms daily. We follow the Ministry of Long-Term Care guidance related to resident testing.

What happens if you have symptoms or test positive for covid?

Please do not attend the home if you are ill with any symptoms related to covid and ensure that you have resolved symptoms as well as have waited 10 days prior to returning to the home.

Can I visit my loved one if they have Covid?

Yes, we do limit the number of visitors an ill resident has. They may have 2 essential caregivers at a time. You will be required to wear personal protective equipment when you are in visiting your loved one. Speak with the registered nurse or IPAC lead to understand what this means prior to visiting.

What does it mean to be in “Outbreak”?

Outbreaks are declared with the support of Public Health. You will be notified if your loved one is impacted by an outbreak. The Home has many avenues for communicating with family members and friends. Essential visitors are the only visitors allowed into the home during an outbreak. If you have questions, please contact the registered nurse of the IPAC lead for more information.

How else can we protect our loved one from illness?

The Home will offer for your loved one to receive immunizations that are recommended by Public Health. These can include vaccines to protect against pneumonia, Influenza, shingles, and/or Covid19. Although vaccines do not always stop the transmission of viruses, they are proven to reduce the severity of illness, especially in vulnerable populations such as seniors, and individuals living in Long Term Care.

In this package we have included information on how to:

• Properly perform Hand Hygiene, your #1 way to help reduce the spread of infection;

• How to put on and take off Personal Protective Equipment, also called “Donning” and “Doffing”;

• And how to reduce the spread of infectious diseases If you have questions and need support about what this means for you and your loved one.

Please take the time to review the attached package above and the video links above.

Please contact us: Stephanie Albert, Infection Prevention and Control Lead at The Pines Extension 4752 or at stephanie.albert@muskoka.on.ca

Thank you to those who were able to join the Family Council Meeting this month to explore "a day in the life of a PSW". Please see the recording below for the minutes.

April Family Council Meeting Recording

Passcode: L91&!0FM

If you have questions and want to learn more about Family Council. Please reach out to Christina Rochette, Life Enrichment Manager, and Family Council Liaison to connect you with a member of the Family Council.

Family Councils Ontario has released a guide that provides families with the essential tools, knowledge, and support needed to navigate the journey into LTC.

The Long-Term Care Navigation Guide is designed to help families understand the process, plan ahead, and make informed decisions for their loved ones.

For more information, click here to visit the FCO website

In collaboration with Public Health, the Whole Home Respiratory Outbreak was declared over on April 9th, 2025, and the Cedar and Oak Home Area Outbreak was declared over on April 11th, 2025. General Visitors are welcome in all home areas. Thank you for your patience as we worked through this most recent outbreak. If you have any questions related to the outbreak or infection control, please contact Stephanie Albert, IPAC Lead.

Every Day Infection Control Guidelines

Wash your hands thoroughly

• Before entering and exiting the home
• Before touching a resident.
• After touching a resident or their surroundings.

Help Residents Clean Their Hands

• Make sure residents clean their hands before every meal and regularly throughout the day.

Join us for the Family Council Meeting this month to explore "a day in the life of a PSW". We will have guest speakers, Jennifer Carriere, ADOC, and a couple of our frontline PSW staff at the meeting to provide education about caring for residents as a PSW and answer any questions that you might have.

When: Wednesday, April 16, 2025, at 6:30 pm

Where: In-person in the Fran Coleman Room at the Pines or Virtual using the link below (this is an updated link)

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88210402686?pwd=Y7e1HUhD07nm23kCr4iigiob3u1pHw.1

Meeting ID: 882 1040 2686

Passcode: 815834

If you have questions and want to learn more about Family Council. Please reach out to Christina Rochette, Activities Manager, and Family Council Liaison to connect you with a member of the Family Council.

Shodhan has informed us that he will conclude his time at the Pines on Friday, April 18th, 2025. We would like to thank Shodhan for his time with the home and wish him well. Achieva has provided us with a new physiotherapist, Kinjal, who has covered for Shodhan in the past. Kinjal will start with the home on Monday, April 21st, 2025. Please help us in thanking Shodhan and welcoming Kinjal.

You can find the physio team on the second floor as you exit the elevators on the left.

Please be advised that Jennifer Ridgley, Administrator, is now back from maternity leave. Please reach out if you require any assistance.

705-645-4488 ext. 4877

jennifer.ridgley@muskoka.on.ca

Please see the attached memo from CareRx:

Memo: CareRx Paper Billing Statement Fee Change Effective May 1, 2025

In collaboration with Public Health, Cedar and Oak home areas remain in outbreak at this time.

Essential Caregivers only at this time, no General Visitors to the Cedar and Oak Home Areas.

Current Outbreak Details

Infection Control Guidelines for Cedar and Oak Home Areas:

Please follow these steps to help keep everyone safe:

Wear Surgical Masks

• Everyone must wear a surgical mask in Cedar and Oak.

Wash your hands thoroughly

• Before touching a resident.
• After touching a resident or their surroundings.

Help Residents Clean Their Hands

• Make sure residents clean their hands before every meal and regularly throughout the day.

Use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Correctly

• Put on PPE (like gloves, gowns, and masks) before entering an isolated resident’s room.
• Take off all PPE before leaving the room to avoid spreading germs.

Keep Residents in the Affected Home Area

• Residents must stay in the affected Home Area at this time to reduce the risk of spreading illness.

If Residents Want to Leave the Area

• If a resident insists on leaving, help them wear a mask or visor to protect others. Encourage outdoor visits instead of indoor ones when possible.

If you have questions, please reach out to the Nurse in Charge or Stephanie Albert, IPAC Lead at stephanie.albert@muskoka.on.ca