Infection Control Measures at this time:

• Symptomatic residents are isolated at this time
• Masks are to be worn in the Maple and Birch Home Areas
• Enhanced cleaning and disinfecting

The Ministry of Long-Term Care (MLTC) has been working closely with the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health (OCMOH) to monitor and assess respiratory illness in the community and LTCHs, including reassessing enhanced masking measures currently in place in LTCHs.

Recent trends have shown continued decreases in the community-level transmission of COVID-19, flu, and RSV, as well as decreases in outbreaks in LTCHs, with lower risk of severe illness and hospitalization amongst residents, and increased vaccination rates. While outbreaks can still be expected, we anticipate entering a lower-risk period of respiratory illness than we have experienced over the past three months.

Based on the recent trends and projections, and the advice of OCMOH, MLTC is ending the enhanced masking measures effective immediately.

As required in the Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) Standard and the updated MLTC COVID-19 guidance document, masking in non-outbreak situations in LTCHs continues to be:

• Required for staff, based on a point-of-care risk assessment before every resident interaction, and based on the return-to-work protocols;
• Staff may consider wearing a mask during prolonged direct resident care defined as one-on-one within two metres of an individual for fifteen minutes or longer; and
• Recommended for visitors and caregivers, but not required.

Our residents’ rooms have been outfitted with new bedroom furniture. The project took place this week. Our team worked diligently to swap the old furniture with the new. Thank you for your support and patience.

Thank you to those that were able to attend the meeting. Below is a copy of the recording, the January minutes approved at the meeting, and the presentation materials from the February meeting.

February Family Council Meeting Recording

Passcode: #an#30&!

Family Council Agenda February 2024

February 2024 Family Update

February 2024 Quality Improvement



2024 01 17 Family Council Meeting Minutes

Family Update January 2024

Family Council Dietary Manager Update January 2024

Family Council Activities Report January 17, 2024

2024 01 17 Dining Experience at The Pines

Dietician Update for Family Council January 17, 2024

Family Council 2024 01 17 New Voicemail

We look forward to seeing you in March!

Our residents’ rooms will be outfitted with new bedroom furniture. The project will take place starting February 27th, 2024! Our team will work diligently to swap the old furniture with the new one with the lowest impact on our residents.

Please connect with Steve Files, Environmental Manager at ext. 4804, if you have any questions related to the project or process

The Activities Team will be leading our volunteer program moving forward. Please watch for more updates as the team works to organize, promote, and collaborate with our volunteers.

If you have questions or would like to find out more about volunteering, please connect with Christina Rochette Ext. 4824

Volunteering at the Pines can be as formal or informal as you would like. We have programming that you can help support or you can drop in for visits with your pet. There are so many volunteer opportunities that we are sure there is something that is the right fit for you or another family member.

Do you know a teenager who needs to complete community hours? The Pines is a great opportunity for students to complete their community volunteer hours and give back to the residents.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Below is information from the Ontario Association of Residents' Councils regarding the Residents' Bill of Rights. You can click on the links below or the website at the bottom for more information.

The formation of residents’ rights afforded to all persons living in long-term care homes, began in the early 1950’s and grew to 29 distinct rights. The Ontario Residents’ Bill of Rights is embedded in our provincial legislation, Fixing Long-Term Care Act (FLTCA), 2021, and accompanying Regulations (O. Reg. 246/22)

All long-term care homes in Ontario (including those formerly known as nursing homes, municipal homes for the aged, and charitable homes) are governed by the Fixing Long-Term Care Act. The requirements in the LTCHA ensure that residents of these homes receive safe, consistent, and high-quality resident-centered care in settings where residents feel at home, are treated with respect, and have the supports and services they need for their health and well-being.

Residents’ Councils review and promote the Residents’ Bill of Rights. The following resources are some of the supports available to provide a deeper understanding of the rights.

Access the English Residents’ Bill of Rights here.

To access an English video/audio version of the Residents’ Bill of Rights click here.

To access translations of the Residents’ Bill of Rights in different languages, click here.

To learn more about enhancing Residents’ Bill of Rights Education at your home, check our Through Our Eyes

https://www.ontarc.com/residents-bill-of-rights.html

As of April 11, 2022, the Fixing Long-Term Care Act, 2021 (FLTCA) and Ontario Regulation 246/22 have replaced the previous Long-Term Care Homes Act, 2007 (LTCHA) and Ontario Regulation 79/10 as the governing legislation for long-term care in Ontario.

The FLTCA continues the strong protections for whistle-blowers that were included in the (former) LTCHA, and expand these to apply to any disclosure by anyone to any personnel of the ministry and to a long-term care home's Residents' Council and Family Council, if any.

The whistle-blowing protections are intended to give anyone the confidence to bring forward anything about an LTC home, including the care of a resident, without fear of retaliation.

The FLTCA continues to require licensees to post in the LTC home an explanation of the whistle-blowing protections afforded under the legislation. They must also provide this information specifically to residents, staff, and volunteers.

You can review our Whistle-blowing Policy by clicking on the link below.

Whistle-Blowing Fact Sheet from The Ministry of Long-Term Care

Whistle-blowing Policy

We are happy to confirm that the new dishwasher in the main kitchen and the security screen in the Oak home area have been installed this week. Thank you for being so patient as we completed the improvements to the home.

New Dishwasher

Safety Screen Oak Home Area

Our Residents' Council assisted us in renaming the Chapel in the home to ensure that the space is inclusive for all. Please visit our Multi-Faith and Contemplation Room on the second floor.