September 30, 2020

As of Thursday, October 1st, the provincial government is designating Montreal as Level 4 / Red alert. We wish to provide you with an overview of the implications for our CHSLDs. In line with the government approach, the goal is to balance the overarching need for the safety of our residents while at the same time recognizing the important role of the caregiver in a long-term care setting.

Definition of caregiver

In keeping with the Level 4 / Red alert, we are now required to limit visiting to our CHSLDs to caregivers providing residents with significant assistance. The only exceptions will be for end-of-life situations as well as for humanitarian reasons.

A Caregiver is defined as anyone who offers (or wishes to offer) significant care to the resident by looking after their needs and contributing to the resident’s integrity and well-being.

“Significant care” refers to assistance offered on a regular or occasional basis, in response to the needs of the resident and in order to contribute to their integrity and well-being. Care and support could be offered during meal times, in overseeing a resident’s general condition, support with daily activities such as mouth care, hair / facial hair care, nail care or recreational activities, help with walking or offering moral support or comfort.

Paid and/or natural caregivers who do not perform these tasks are asked not to visit at this time.

Resident day passes

Note that resident day passes have also been suspended (with the exception of medical appointments).

Number of caregivers per 24-hour period

Only one caregiver may visit at a time; a resident may have up to two caregivers in a 24-hour period. It is incumbent on the designated family representative to determine which two individuals (natural or paid caregivers) will be seeing the resident in a 24-hour period. The number of caregivers per resident will be monitored and strictly enforced.

Caregiver screening

Caregivers will continue to be screened upon their arrival at the CHSLD, and testing is offered onsite on a weekly basis for COVID-19. Personal protective equipment must be worn at all times; caregivers remain confined to the room of the resident to whom they are providing support and care.

Caregivers must wear masks at all times (no eating/drinking in rooms)

Caregivers may no longer eat or drink in the resident’s room and must wear their mask at all times.
Compliance with these rules will be monitored by the COVID agents as well as the care team. In the event of non-compliance, caregivers will be barred from entering the site for two weeks.

Group activities

Group activities such as Bingo and discussion groups are permitted using either the bubble approach or with two-meter social distancing between residents. Caregivers are not permitted to attend.

Other activities

Hairdressing services are not permitted. Pet therapy and animal visits are also prohibited until further notice.

Deliveries

Deliveries to residents are permitted; all deliveries must be left at Security/Reception for disinfection.

Policy on room furnishings – to be enforced as of October 1

In addition to red zone status, October 1st is also the date we will begin enforcing our room furnishings policy. As we have previously indicated , infectious disease experts have recommended that in order to curb the spread of COVID-19 infection, we must be able to move residents quickly along with all their belongings.

Please consult the room furnishings policy here.

As always, if you have questions or concerns specific to your loved one, please contact your head nurse.

We appreciate that we are entering a challenging period, and it is critical that we all take the necessary steps to protect the well-being of our residents and staff. Thank you in advance for your support and understanding.

Barbra Gold
Director, Support Program for the Autonomy of Seniors (SAPA)
CIUSSS West-Central Montreal