Glen Hill Terrace and Glen Hill Strathaven:

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It is anticipated that this year will bring another challenging respiratory illness season, with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), influenza (flu) and COVID-19 circulating over the fall and winter.

 

Influenza (Flu)

• You are encouraged to get your flu shot every year to prevent serious illness.

• Flu can be especially dangerous for older people. 

 

COVID-19

• It is strongly recommended that you also get the COVID-19 vaccine even if you have had COVID-19 or the vaccine before.

• You can get another shot six months (or as early as three months) after your last one or after having had COVID-19.

 

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)

• You are encouraged to get your RSV vaccine if you didn’t get it last year.

• If you got your RSV vaccine last year, you do not need another one this year.

 

Pneumococcal

• Anyone can get pneumococcal disease. You may be at a higher risk if you are 65 years or older or have certain medical conditions or risk factors.

• If you previously have not received 2 doses of pneumococcal vaccine and are 65 years of age and older, you should get a dose of the new pneumococcal vaccine.

• You will only need 1 lifetime dose of the new pneumococcal vaccine.

 

Please Note: The flu, RSV, COVID-19, and pneumococcal vaccines can be administered at the same time if they are available at the same time.

 

Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC)

Following infection prevention and control practices is always important, especially during respiratory illness season.

 

You can help us keep our homes safe by:

• Cleaning hands often using hand sanitizer or soap and warm water.

• Staying up to date with vaccinations.

• Wearing a mask, if and when possible.

• Telling friends and family not to visit when they are ill.

 

What to expect if our home is in outbreak

If our home, or an area of the home, is experiencing an outbreak of a respiratory illness (in outbreak):

• We will work with the local public health unit to manage the outbreak following the Ministry of Health’s Recommendations for Outbreak Prevention and Control in Institutions and Congregate Living Settings as well as the IPAC Standard under the Fixing Long-Term Care Act. 

• The rights of our residents will be fully respected, and residents’ psychosocial and other needs will be prioritized.

• Staff, caregivers, and visitors must wear a mask at all times.

• Cohorting may be used, and group activities may be cancelled to keep infected residents separate, as appropriate.

• Wherever possible, continuing group activities for exposed groups of residents is recommended to support resident mental health and wellbeing.

• Residents experiencing respiratory illness symptoms are recommended to remain in their rooms and should avoid contact with other residents. Residents are allowed to attend medically necessary appointments or activities and should wear a mask.

• Essential visitors, including caregivers, can still visit during an outbreak, but general visitors may be limited or restricted.

• Our homes will regularly communicate with our residents and families about the status of the outbreaks.

• Our homes cannot restrict or deny absences for medical, palliative, or compassionate reasons at any time, including if a resident is in isolation or when a home is in an outbreak.

• Every resident who is receiving end-of-life-care or who is very ill has the right to have loved ones present 24/7 under the Residents’ Bill of Rights.

 

What to expect if a resident or their roommate has COVID-19

If a resident with COVID-19 is unable to wear a mask, that resident will be isolated for a minimum of 10 days and until they are feeling better.

If a resident can tolerate wearing a mask, isolation may be removed after five days from symptom onset or positive test, and if the resident is feeling better - but wearing a mask is required when outside of their room.

• While isolated, residents may leave their room for walks in the immediate area, with a staff member or caregiver who is wearing personal protective equipment.

• If a resident’s roommate has COVID-19, as a precaution, that resident will also be isolated in case they also have COVID-19. 

• If the resident roommate does not develop symptoms, that resident may discontinue isolation after a minimum of five days.

• After five days, it is advised that the resident wear a well-fitting mask, if tolerated, and physically distance from others when outside of their room for at least seven days from the last time they may have been exposed to COVID-19.