News Briefs from February 10, 2021

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Blue Water Rest Home’s 56th Annual General Meeting will be held virtually on Wednesday, March 3rd, 2021 at 7 p.m.  If you are a member and wish to attend, please email bwrh.info@bluewaterresthome.com for login instructions.  

COVID-19 UPDATE

PanBio Rapid Testing – On February 8, 2021 we initiated PanBio Rapid testing for all asymptomatic staff, students, caregivers, and service providers who enter the home.  This test produces results after approximately 20 minutes.  Our staff are being tested three times per week and Essential Caregivers will be tested upon entry.  A positive result requires a lab-based test to be completed.  This is an additional measure being taken to prevent COVID-19 from entering Blue Water Rest Home.

Resident Vaccinations – 97% of Residents have received the first dose of COVID-19 Pfizer vaccine and 88% of Residents have received the second dose of COVID-19 Pfizer vaccine.  Huron Perth Public Health will return in 21 days to vaccinate new admissions and those requiring a second dose.  

Staff Vaccinations – 79% of staff are currently vaccinated with the first dose of COVID-19 Pfizer vaccine and 27% of staff have received their second dose of COVID-19 Pfizer vaccine.  Due to the shortage of the vaccine, staff vaccines were put on hold.  Starting last week, they are being scheduled to go to London to get their second dose so the numbers will continue to increase in the upcoming weeks. 

Mindfulness and Living Well During a Pandemic – Ashley Hurst, Registered Psychotherapist will be presenting on mindfulness and living well during a pandemic.  We are hosting 10 sessions, where 8 will be offered to healthcare workers and 2 will be offered to seniors and their caregivers that live in the community.  We have confirmed the following dates so far: February 26th, March 8th, March 22nd and March 29th.  For more information, please email c.passmore@bluewaterresthome.com .

On behalf of everyone at West Huron Care Centre, we would like to extend a sincere thank you to our community, for your unwavering support and understanding during the COVID-19 pandemic.   Thank you for the generous donations and monetary contributions.  Your kindness and support is greatly appreciated, and does not go unnoticed.

News Briefs from the January 2021

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

To say December was busy, would be an understatement! The month was full of good food and countless hours of fun and celebrations. December 24th, Santa made a virtual call and visited each resident’s room, with the help of Rudolph, 2 elves and Mrs. Claus. This was a wonderful experience that was certainly appreciated by our residents. They were delighted to see Santa, even if it was through a screen! To kick-off our New Year’s Eve celebrations, residents enjoyed a balloon drop at noon and kiss cookies with their supper, before enjoying the fireworks show. 

COVID-19 UPDATE

Visiting - Due to the provincial lockdown restrictions, only Essential Caregivers/End-of-life can enter to the home at this time. 

COVID-19 Vaccination – 59% of our staff have already received their first dose of Pfizer BIOTech vaccine in London at the Agriplex.  We have prepared for resident vaccinations and we expect the vaccine to be delivered in the upcoming weeks.  Essential Caregivers will be vaccinated after the residents.  

Universal Masking – on December 23, 2020, we initiated universal masking for everyone.  Residents are expected to wear masks in all common areas of the home as tolerated - while receiving personal care, when an essential caregiver or staff member are in the resident room, in the dining room until their meal has been delivered.

LONDON BRIDGE ANNOUNCEMENT

Effective February 1,2021, London Bridge has announced some leadership changes within the Huron County Programs.  Tamara Thompson, currently the Director at Relouw, will transition into the Director position at West Huron and Lynn Wareing, currently the Director of West Huron, will transition to Relouw as Co-Director.  We are sad to see Lynn leave West Huron however we are excited for the opportunity that awaits her.  On a positive note, Lynn has agreed to continue as a Director at Large on the Blue Water Rest Home Board. 

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING – SAVE THE DATE

Blue Water Rest Home’s 56th Annual General Meeting will be held virtually this year on Wednesday, March 3rd, 2021.  More details to follow. 

HEARTFELT THANK YOU

On behalf of everyone at West Huron Care Centre, we would like to extend a sincere thank you to our community, for your unwavering support and understanding during the COVID-19 pandemic.   Thank you for the generous donations and monetary contributions.  Your kindness and support is greatly appreciated, and does not go unnoticed. 

News Briefs from the December 2020 Blue Water Rest Home Board Meeting…

Suspension of General Visitors

In November, Huron Perth moved into the Orange Protect Level of Ontario’s COVID-19 Response Framework.  We have followed the Ministry of Long-Term Care and Huron Perth Public Health’s directive and suspended all indoor visitors. We are still offering the option for residents to enjoy virtual calls and window visits with family and friends.  Santa came early and everyone was able to enjoy a window visit and express some holiday spirit.  

Even though our holidays celebrations have looked different this year, December is going to be a busy month at Blue Water Rest Home celebrating the festive season.  

Virtual Family Christmas Dinner

Although this is a new concept, residents and their families have embraced the idea and have really enjoyed the opportunity for some family time.  We have two more upcoming Virtual Family Dinner’s on December 13th and December 20th.  

Other Holiday Seasons Events Planned

We plan on celebrating the holiday season all month long.  There will be festive crafts, happy hour, Advent, virtual entertainment, Ugly Sweater Friday’s, virtual concern with Craig Manning, target practice, along with many other games and activities.  The month will end with Santa’s Elves delivering gifts on December 24th and 2020 will go out with a bang with a Fireworks show on December 31st.  More details about the Fireworks will be posted on Facebook. 

Media 

We have been sharing our celebrations and successes on our Facebook page so please be sure to like us on Facebook @whccbwrh.  This will give you an opportunity to see the various activities, programs and celebrations happening under the roof at the West Huron Care Centre. 

Donation of an Enable Table

We are extremely grateful for the Zurich Has Beans hockey team, who generously donated an enable table from their social fund proceeds.  Our residents are enjoying it.  Thank you  to the Zurich Has Beans!

Season’s Greetings

On behalf of everyone at Blue Water Rest Home, we wish you a safe and happy holiday season! Despite the pandemic, we hope that you can still feel the joy of the season. 

News Briefs from the November 2020 Blue Water Rest Home Board Meeting…

Remembrance Day

We take a moment to honour, reflect, and remember those who have gave and continue to give, the ultimate sacrifice.  Lest we forget.

Virtual Family Christmas Dinner

As we look ahead to our Family Dinner, we recognize that our celebrations will look, and may even feel different this year.  We know that regardless of hos we celebrate, we are committed to providing experiences that are deeply routed in connecting residents and loved ones, while celebrating the joy of the season.  

Family Dinner will be done virtually this year.  Families of each resident can schedule a virtual meal, where they can connect and celebrate together with their loved one, while enjoying good food and conversation.  Residents and families will connect with the other, using video calling technology (eg. Skype or Facetime).  Pre-registration is required for our Virtual Family Dinner.  BWRH Christmas Pudding can be pre-ordered and purchased too.

For more information, to register for your virtual meal, or to order Christmas Pudding, please contact Chelsey Passmore, Outreach and Programs Manager at c.passmore@bluewaterresthome.com or 519-236-4373 x 631.

Staff Service Awards

On September 28, 2020, we were proud to celebrate and recognize our staff reaching years of services milestones. 

Congratulations to:  Rachael Bryson (10 years), Joanne Stephen (10 years), Denise Dietrich (20 years), Elze Groot (20 years), Elaine Harburn (20 years), Brenda Sheppard (20 years), Carol Deichert (30 years), Brenda Grenier (40 years), and Cheryl Gelinas (45 years).  

We enjoyed good food, provided by Pine Ridge BBQ, the sharing of memories, and had lots of laughs during our Staff Appreciation Luncheon and Service Awards.  

Tractor Donation

Blue Water Rest Home was the recipient of a generous donation from the Derik Whiting Foundation in January 2020 to be put towards property maintenance.  With this donation, a new tractor was purchased in October 2020.  We are extremely appreciative for this generous donation.  

Blue Water Rest Home is a Non-Profit Charitable organization and donations of $10 and greater are receipted and $500 and greater are recognized on a Donor Plaque.  

News Briefs from the October 2020 Blue Water Rest Home Board Meeting…

New Virtual Family Christmas Dinner

As we look ahead to the holiday season, we recognize that our celebrations will look, and even feel different this year.  One thing we have learned, is that we are adaptable and capable of successfully navigating our ever-changing normal. 

We have begun to plan our annual Family Dinner where families can sign-up to share a virtual Family meal with their loved one (Sunday’s starting Nov 15th-Dec 20th).  Details are being shared with families.  

Our goal is to support a meaningful opportunity for families and loved ones to connect, while ensuring a safe environment.  We are looking forward to the Virtual Family Dinner, and appreciate the support and understanding of the community as we navigate this new opportunity.  

Virtual Memorial Service

We are currently planning our Memorial Service, which like many other things, will look different this year.  We will video the service on October 22, 2020, then send to families.  We will not have any guests attend the services in-person.  Dianne Loerchner, Board Member has agreed to host the service.  Residents will form an honour guard, socially distanced, while we walk our Memorial Flowers through the guard.  After the video is complete, we will share it with residents and post to our Facebook page.

Flu Clinics 

We have planned our Resident and Staff Flu Clinics to take place before for the end of October.  Outreach Community Flu Clinic will be held, but date is to be determined.  The most effective way to decrease complications and reduce the impact of the flu is to get the flu shot.

Blue Water Rest Home is a Non-Profit Charitable organization and donations of $10 and greater are receipted and $500 and greater are recognized on a Donor Plaque.  

News Briefs from the September 2020 Blue Water Rest Home Board Meeting…

Visiting at Blue Water Rest Home

**UPDATE TO INDOOR AND OUTDOOR VISITING**

Visitors welcome!

We are looking forward to welcoming visitors back in to BWRH, as of September 15, 2020, in a more traditional way. Scheduling of Indoor Visits is no longer required. Each resident may have up to two visitors at one time during visiting hours. Daily Visiting Hours are 9:30-11:00 am, 1:30-4:00 pm, and 6:30-8:30 pm

*All General Visitors must attest to a negative COVID-19 test result in the past 14 days, successfully pass screening upon entry, adhere to hand hygiene practices, wear a surgical mask for duration of the visit (supplied by BWRH), and leave all non-perishable items for residents in the drop-box. Upon arrival of your first visit, you will receive a ‘Indoor and Outdoor Visiting Policy’, that provides all the necessary details and guidelines that pertain to indoor visitors.  

Outdoor Visits will continue if weather permits. Our goal is to provide as much notice of cancellations as possible; however, we may need to cancel without notice if weather changes quickly.  

We are approaching the new directive with caution, as we transition into the next phase, to ensure the safety our residents and staff remains priority. 

Thank you for your continued understanding and support as we navigate these changes.

Christmas Celebrations

Like many things this year, Christmas is going to look a little different because of COVID-19.  We are looking at ways to do things differently so that we can still celebrate the joy of the Christmas season.  While we await further direction from the Ministry, we will begin brainstorming ideas in the coming weeks and we will provide residents, their families, and our supporters with updates in a timely manner.

Foot Care Provider

Our new Foot Care provider, James Miles, will run his first community clinic on September 15th and 21st, then run BWRH clinics one day per week from September 28th-October 19th.  If community members are interested in attending the community clinic, please contact Stacy 519-236-4373 x 632.

Blue Water Rest Home is a Non-Profit Charitable organization and donations of $10 and greater are receipted and $500 and greater are recognized on a Donor Plaque.  

News Briefs from the August 2020 Blue Water Rest Home Board Meeting…

Visiting at Blue Water Rest Home 

We resumed indoor visiting at Blue Water Rest Home in late July and it has been wonderful seeing so many familiar faces.  Our commitment was to approach this with great caution and evaluate the process on an ongoing basis.  The safety of residents, staff, and visitors remains our priority.     

To Schedule Indoor & Outdoor Visits 

Email bwrh.visits@bluewaterresthome.com or call 519-236-4373 x 640 and leave a voicemail.      

Testing

As a reminder, indoor visitors must verbally attest that they have tested negative for COVID-19 within the two previous weeks.  

Virtual and Window Visits

Where an in-person visit is not possible, virtual and window are welcome.  

Blue Water Rest Home is a Non-Profit Charitable organization and donations of $10 and greater are receipted and $500 and greater are recognized on a Donor Plaque.