Paula Isfeld, vice president of care, Masterpiece Southland Meadows, stands next to one of the signs at the seniors residence as protocols are put in place to protect residents.--NEWS FILE PHOTO
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Seniors are more at risk when it comes to COVID-19, and Alberta’s chief medical officer of health has been advising people with any symptoms of illness to avoid seniors’ residences and hospitals.
Seniors’ residences are responding.
As you approach the front doors of Masterpiece Southland Meadows, you can’t help noticing the large red hexagonal “stop” signs on the doors. Step inside the foyer and there is another.
If you have symptoms such as a cough, runny nose, or have travelled to areas where there is an outbreak of COVID-19, you are asked to re-consider your state of health and decide if you should be visiting.
While visitors have always been requested to sign in at reception, a renewed emphasis is being placed on this process, said Paula Isfeld, vice president of care. It is an opportunity to determine whether people are showing symptoms and would perhaps best be advised to wait until they are feeling better before visiting residents.
The notices went up earlier this week in an effort to be proactive based on information from Alberta Health Services and a desire to protect residents, said Isfeld. This is the first phase as an early preventative measure that can be ramped up as required.
“Once we feel that the risk to our population is increasing … we may restrict access,” said Isfeld, noting seniors have an increased risk because of multiple health issues. “They are frail and won’t tolerate it as well as someone else does.”
Once there are cases of COVID-19 in the community the third phase will kick in with activities restricted.
“All of our keypads will be deactivated and we really will screen everyone coming into this building.”
Residents and staff have already been advised to limit handshaking and increase hand-washing protocols.
