July 27 Visitation Guidelines

Previously each Resident or his/her alternate decision maker was able to identify one person who was able to perform the role of Designated Essential visitor (DEV). This role is now replaced.  Effective immediately, we will work with each Resident or alternate decision maker to confirm up to two (2) Designated Family/Support Persons who will be recognized as part of the Resident’s care team and supported as essential to maintaining the Resident’s mental and physical health.

These persons shall be at least 18 years of age (unless there are exceptional circumstances to be considered) and may be a family member, friend, companion, support worker, legal guardian or any other person identified by the Resident or alternate decision maker.

All existing DEV’s are automatically now referred to as a DF/SP (unless an individual advised Site Administration of an inability to continue in the role).

If the DF/SP will be away and need a temporary change, please contact us.

Anyone can come for the outdoor visit and the Designated Family/Support Person(s) does not have to be present. All outdoor visits will continue to be scheduled and staff supervised, and will take place on Monday’s, Wednesday’s, Friday’s at the following times:

11:10 am – 12:00 pm

1:30 pm – 2:20 pm

2:30 pm – 3:20 pm

3:30 pm – 4:20 pm

Unless contacted, your outdoor visit day and time will remain the same

Visits may include a MAXIMUM of FIVE (5) people which includes your loved one/Resident. Designated Family/Support Persons are not required to be present for the outdoor visit but are responsible for informing visitors of all guidelines.

Visits will be held in the Family Garden (between LTC and Millennium Pavilion buildings) and on the patio along the cafeteria.  In addition, as some Residents are more comfortable indoors, we are in a unique position to offer visits with appropriate social distancing in Heritage Hall using outdoor visit guidelines

Visiting time with the Resident will be approximately 30  minutes

At this time, outdoor visits will continue to take place once per week for each Resident

Children are allowed as one of the four (4) visitors but they must be able to maintain social distancing or wear a mask at all times

Yes! To keep your loved one safe, during the visit you must keep your mask on at all times.  Every visitor is required to bring their own mask

Visits are subject to weather conditions. If you are not sure, please double check our website or the COVID-19 Outbreak status phone line (780.472.4514) before coming to St. Michael’s

If you are not feeling well on the day of your scheduled visit or if you have any of the COVID-19 symptoms which are new or unusual for you – it is important to stay home. Do not come to St. Michael’s. If for whatever reason you cannot make it, please contact Meagan at mwray@smhg.ca or 780.904.2739

Please arrive on time to the HERITAGE HALL Entrance (just west of the main long term care centre doors) and bring a pen with you. You will need to practice social distancing while waiting in line, sanitize your hands, apply a mask, complete a health screening questionnaire and temperature check, and if everything is in order you will then be informed of the location of your visit with your loved one.

When the allotted time is over, Staff will advise whether the Resident or visitors leave first

• The Designated Family / Support Persons are responsible to inform all visitors of the guidelines for outdoor visits
• Drop In Outdoor visits are not allowed
• All visitors are to provide their own masks
• No food or drinks are provided
• There will not be any public access to washrooms during your visit

The two (2) confirmed Designated Family/Support Persons are able to attend for indoor visits unless there are extenuating circumstances

Extenuating circumstances include:

• End of life is approaching (Resident is recognized as likely being within last 4-6 weeks of life)
• Significant change in Resident’s health status has occurred with the Resident’s health suddenly compromised
• Legal or financial matters that necessitate a visit with someone other than a DF/SP

Whenever extenuating circumstances exist, other visitors are able to attend indoor visits. Extenuating circumstance visitors may include other family, friends, accompanied minors, support persons or professionals

Visits may include a maximum of the two (2) Designated Family/Support Persons if the Resident is in a private room, or only one (1) Designated Family/Support Person if the Resident is in a semi-private room

Visits will be held in the Resident room. If a Resident is in a semi-private room, only one (1) family can visit at a time

Visits will be pre-arranged and can be for up to the full time allotted below but to ensure a safe number of people on site at once, visitors must arrive and leave within the allotted time.

Monday to Friday

9:00 am – 11:00 am

11:00 am – 1:00 pm

3:45 pm – 5:45 pm

5:45 pm – 7:45 pm

Saturday and Sunday

9:00 am – 11:00 am

11:00 am – 1:00 pm

1:00 pm – 3:00 pm

3:45 pm – 5:45 pm

To pre-arrange the visit please contact:
Lia N. 780-472-4790 / LNudelman@smhg.ca for Residents on the 1^st floor; or  Tatsiana H. at 780-472-4795 / THaidukevich@smhg.ca for Residents on the 2^nd floor

At this time, two Resident visits per time slot will be scheduled in each wing (red, blue, green), and these visits are in addition to scheduled outdoor visits. The schedule will remain the same from week to week

Yes! To keep your loved one safe, during the visit you must keep your mask on at all times.  Every visitor is required to bring their own disposable mask. Should you forget, they will be available for a limited time after which charges will apply

If you are not feeling well on the day of your scheduled visit or if you have any of the COVID-19 symptoms which are new or unusual for you – it is important to stay at home. Do not come to St. Michael’s

Please arrive at the main Long Term Care Centre entrance. You will need to practice social distancing if there are others waiting to enter, sanitize your hands, apply a mask, record your arrival, complete a health screening questionnaire and temperature check and then proceed to the Resident’s room where you will remain for the duration of the visit

• While on site for an indoor visit, you cannot visit any other Residents besides your loved one, nor go to other areas of the site besides the Resident room
• Drop in visits are not allowed – all visits must be pre-arranged
• As of July 27, 2020 all individuals are required to sign a Release and Waiver Agreement in order to visit on site
• Visitors are to provide their own masks
• No food or drinks are provided
• If visitors do not comply with the guidelines, for example improper mask use, and have to be regularly reminded (3-strike policy), visitation privileges will be suspended for 3 weeks before reviewing whether it is possible to schedule visits

Under the new Order visitors might engage in physical touch, ie holding hands, but with this comes an increased risk of transmission. Visitors must follow the rules, wear a mask continuously, and wash hands before and after physical touch

Pets are not allowed for any visits at this time

While the new Order allows for flowers and food to be delivered for Residents, we discourage outside food unless it is an individual serving.  If visitors wish to bring fresh fruit/food for an indoor visit, it should be enough for an individual serving with no ‘leftovers’ for refrigeration or future service.  As always, we discourage flowers for Residents on the 2^nd floor as they may attempt to consume them

Please note all other items coming into the facility will still follow the current policy

If the facility is on Outbreak (Covid-19 or other), visitations will be subject to further restrictions

We will continue to follow Resident Outings Guidelines for off site visits.  A reminder that any off site visits 24 hours or longer will require the Resident to isolate for 14 days upon return. If a Resident is on isolation – visits will be suspended until isolation is over