The Pines Resident & Family Portal

This week, we focus on what to do if your loved one is isolated with an infection. Below is the process for putting on your personal protective equipment (PPE) when you visit. The nursing team will let you know if your loved one is isolated for any reason, and when you visit, you will put on the PPE that is at the doorway to your loved one's room. This is to protect yourself and your loved ones at home. If you need help putting your PPE on, please see a nursing team member; they would be happy to help.

May the 4th - Calling all Star Wars fans to join us in celebrating May the Fourth this Sunday. Everyone is encouraged to wear Star Wars colours, or their favourite Star Wars t-shirt. We will be showing one of the Star Wars movies in the Family room, along with serving popcorn at 1:45 pm.

May 21st - Family Education Meeting hosted by Family Council. This month, we will cover Ministry Inspections and Compliance Reports

Message from Lauren Eccelstone, Lead Activity Aid:

This week, we celebrate our volunteers here at The Pines. Please thank our volunteers who dedicate their time and share their expertise with our residents. They are a valuable member of our community and deserve a big shout-out. These individuals work hard to improve the quality of care and extend the hand of friendship each and every day.

Staff, family, friends, students, and members of the community are always welcome to join our family of volunteers.

Please contact Christina Rochette, Life Enrichment Coordinator, at 705 645-4488 ex 4824 if you know anyone who is looking to make a difference in the lives of our residents.

It is the time of year to get the parking lot cleaned up, and therefore, we will have the parking lot swept on Saturday, May 3rd. We recommend parking in the angled parking spots on the street until you see that the visitor parking lots are complete. We don't want to risk any damage to your vehicles.

Residents who are eligible to vote will have the opportunity to do so on Monday, April 28th, 2025, from 9:30 am until 1:00 pm. The activities staff will assist residents with the process, and we have your loved ones' voting cards. Only residents can vote at the Pines.

A simple way to help keep your loved one safe from infections. Please ensure that you are sanitizing your hands on the way into the home, during your visit, and as you exit the home. If you feel unwell, please choose to visit another day.

Help us keep the residents free from illness

A Public Inspection and Order Report has been posted on the ministry's Reports on Long-Term Care Homes website, and can be accessed through this link.

Our team is in the process of developing a corrective plan related to this report. We will have more information at the Family Council on May 21st.

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