During B.C. COVID-19 Restrictions

Masks still required during visiting

Proof of vaccination against COVID-19 is required

Long Term Care homes must follow the Ministry of Health directives for the Overview of Visitors in Long-Term Care, and the BC Visitor Guideline from the BC Centre for Disease Control. Masks, vaccinations, rapid testing, and health screening are required for all visitors. Thank-you for your patience and understanding.

OUR CURRENT VISITATION PLAN

General Principles

• Visitation between residents of a Long Term Care Home and their family and friends introduces a risk of transmission of COVID-19 to, or from, the resident and the facility staff.
• Visitors, residents, and Blenheim Lodge staff must be committed to adhering to the infection prevention and control requirements for COVID-19.
• Blenheim Lodge will consider the wishes of the resident and visitor as well as operational needs and resources in arranging for non-essential visits, and will maximize visits, with the understanding that the safety of residents and the Care Team is the priority and should not be compromised for unsafe social visits.
• If either the resident or the visitor has (or is under investigation for) signs or symptoms of COVID-19, the visit must not occur.
• This plan will be reviewed by Blenheim Lodge monthly and modified as needed and updated in accordance with direction provided by the BC Centre for Disease Control, BC Ministry of Health, and Vancouver Coastal Health.

Definitions

• Social Visit
  • For a primarily social purpose, to support the resident’s emotional well-being;
  • Discretionary and usually temporary time;
  • Not for providing healthcare or support to the resident;
  • Occurs within the Lodge or on the Lodge grounds.
  • These visits must be pre-scheduled with Blenheim Lodge.
  • Contact Blenheim Lodge (Brenda at 604-732-8717) to arrange a visit.
• Social Outing
  • Leaving and returning to the Lodge happens on the same day;
  • Examples:  Outdoor walk, drive in a private vehicle, appointment at a hair salon;
  • Attending at the visitor’s private residence (as long as current Public Health Orders are followed).
  • These visits must be pre-scheduled with Blenheim Lodge.
  • Contact Blenheim Lodge (or Ildiko at 604-732-8717) to arrange a visit.
• Essential Visit
  • For an essential need that could not be met in the absence of the essential visit, such as:
    • During critical illness, palliative care, end-of-life;
    • Required assistance with feeding;
    • Moving belongings in/out of a resident’s room.
• Designated Visitor
  • Every resident may choose one person to be their “Designated Visitor”.
  • This designation is not transferable.
  • One other person may be chosen to be the “Alternate Designated Visitor” should there be extenuating circumstances where the single “Designated Visitor” falls ill or moves away.
  • These visits must be pre-scheduled with Blenheim Lodge.
  • Contact Blenheim Lodge (Brenda at 604-732-8717) to arrange a visit.
• Vaccinated
  • Unvaccinated:  not having received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine approved by the BC government.
  • Vaccinated / Partially Vaccinated:  having received one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine approved by the BC government.
  • Fully Vaccinated:  at least 7 days after having received a full series (currently two doses) of a COVID-19 vaccine approved by the BC government.

Rules for Visits

• Screening
  • Prior to entry into Blenheim Lodge for any reason (including going through the building to an outside meeting place), each visitor must be screened for signs and symptoms of COVID-19 at the Reception Lobby door (enter from the parking lot).
  • Visitors with signs or symptoms of COVID-19, as well as those in self-isolation or quarantine in accordance with public health directives, will not be permitted to visit.
• Testing
  • Visitors must be “Rapid Tested” before each visit (inside or outside visit) with the following limits:
    • Once per day;
    • Three times per week;
    • Visitors cannot enter the Lodge if their test shows positive;
    • Compassionate visits related to end-of-life do not require Rapid Testing;
    • Visitors can do a Rapid Antigen Test at home and report the result during Screening (the test must have been within the previous 48 hours).
• Vaccinations Required
  • During the screening, every visitor must show government-issued proof of COVID-19 vaccination status (e.g., BC Vaccine Card) or they will not be admitted inside the Lodge.  (This does not apply to young children and individuals with an approved medical exemption.)  Blenheim Lodge will record a copy of the proof (so, paper copies are preferred).  Government-issued identification may also be requested.
  • Visitors must be “fully vaccinated” (have two approved doses).
• Unvaccinated Visitor
  • A visitor who is not “fully vaccinated” may meet with a resident outside the Lodge, however, the visitor cannot enter the Lodge, and we strongly recommend that both the visitor and the resident wear a mask at all times during the visit.
  • These visits must be pre-scheduled with Blenheim Lodge.
  • Contact Blenheim Lodge (Brenda at 604-732-8717) to arrange a visit.
  • The visitor must be Rapid-Tested before the visit (exception: compassionate visits for end-of-life). 
• PPE and Hygiene
  • Visitors must comply fully with direction from Blenheim Lodge staff to perform hand hygiene, respiratory etiquette, safe physical distancing, and wearing a facemask.
  • Blenheim Lodge will supply a new facemask during the screening process.
  • Face masks must be worn at all times inside the building.
  • If a visitor is unable or unwilling to adhere to these required precautions, the visit will not proceed.
• Physical contact
  • The resident and their visitor are permitted to touch as long as appropriate infection protection and control practices are followed.
• To/From the Visit
  • After screening, a visitor must go directly from the front entrance to the meeting location.  The visitor is expected to return directly to the front entrance after the visit.
  • Visitors must not stop to interact with other residents or staff.
  • The face mask must be correctly worn at all times while in the Lodge.
• Post-visit
  • The visitor must:
    • Leave the Lodge immediately after the visit and not engage with others inside;
    • Perform hand hygiene immediately before exiting the Lodge;
    • Doff (take off) their mask outside the Lodge;
    • Perform hand hygiene again after doffing their mask.
• Gifts, Flowers, and Food
  • A visitor may bring in gifts, flowers, and food for the resident provided the following is understood and complied with:
    • A maximum of one container of snack food may be brought in;
    • Home-cooked or purchased foods are permitted;
    • Food must be in a container with a wipe-able surface and Lodge staff must sanitize the container before the visit;
    • Check with Lodge staff for any safety cautions or restrictions the resident has about food;
    • The resident (not the visitor) may consume the food during the visit;
    • Blenheim Lodge will not store food for later consumption – fridges and re-heating are not available.
• Pets
  • Visitors may bring in behaved pets on a leash.
  • Pets are not permitted in the dining rooms and the pet must be restricted to the resident they are visiting.
  • The pet must not be actively ill.
• In case of a COVID-19 outbreak or cluster event
  • Essential Visits and visits from the Designated Visitor will be permitted during an outbreak or a cluster event.
  • Social Visits
    • Will cease immediately if an outbreak is declared and the Lodge goes into active outbreak management; will resume as soon as the outbreak is declared over;
    • Will be strongly discouraged if a “cluster event” (significant illnesses among residents and/or staff) occurs; will resume as soon as the event is over.

Social Events at the Lodge

• Indoor Events
  • Musical performances, etc., may include residents and staff, but must not include family and friends.
• Outdoor Events
  • Gatherings and social events held outside may include residents, staff, and fully vaccinated family/friends.

Social Outings

• Independent residents
  • Any resident who has the physical and cognitive capacity to leave the Lodge independently will be permitted to do so in the company of their visitor.
• Dependent residents
  • A resident who cannot leave independently due to insufficient decision-making capacity and/or mobility reasons may leave the facility with the assistance of their visitor.
  • If the resident requires assistance from staff, appropriate arrangements and an extra charge will apply.
• During the outing
  • The resident and their visitor are expected to adhere to all current Public Health Orders regarding gatherings in the community, and to take appropriate measures to reduce potential transmission of COVID-19, including, but not limited to:
    • Maintain a distance of two metres from others;
    • Wear PPE – Blenheim Lodge will provide a facemask to the resident and their visitor.  The masks are to be worn throughout the outing. (Masks may be removed only if outdoors and you are able to maintain the 2 meters distance.)
    • Both the resident and the visitor must engage in frequent hand hygiene. 

This Plan is based on the BC Ministry of Health – Overview of Visitors in Long-Term Care and Seniors’ Assisted Living (Effective March 18, 2022).