COVID-19 Visitor Information for Seniors' Supportive Housing
Alert: If you are feeling unwell, please postpone your visit. Virtual visits are available by video or telephone by clicking here or by contacting the Unit directly.
St. Joseph’s Care Group follows the direction of the Ministry of Long-Term Care, Ministry of Health, and the guidance of public health. Visiting precautions can change at any time without prior notice.
General Guidance for All Visitors
- Must pass screening to enter Supportive Housing.
- Must clean their hands with sanitizer when:
- Entering
- Before and after putting on protective equipment
- As needed – eg: if hands become soiled or after touching common surfaces like door handles
- Must wear the provided mask while inside. Personal masks are not permitted.
- Tenants may have a maximum of 2 visitors at a time.
- Only visit your loved one, and maintain a space of 2 metres from other tenants.
Travel Guidance for All Visitors
Anyone who has traveled outside Northwestern Ontario but within Canada in the past 14 days must have a negative antigen test following travel to be permitted entry.
For International Travel, including to the United States within the past 14 days:
- Fully vaccinated individuals must participate in antigen testing every other day up to three times per week (Monday through Sunday);
- Individuals who are not fully vaccinated are not permitted to enter for 14 days following return from travel.
- Individuals who have been advised, or a member of their household has been advised, by the Government of Canada to quarantine, are not permitted to enter until the quarantine period has ended.
Caregiver Visitor Information
Caregivers are a maximum of two (2) individuals designated by the tenant and/or their substitute decision maker, and are responsible for providing direct care to the tenant. More information can be found in the definition below.
- All Caregivers must be fully vaccinated unless they have a valid medical exemption:
- Proof of first dose or valid medical exemption must be provided by Saturday, December 25, 2021
- Caregivers have until Monday, February 21, 2022 to be fully vaccinated.
- Until fully vaccinated, Caregivers will be limited to visiting the tenant only within the tenant's apartment.
General Visitor Information
- Effective Friday, December 31, 2021, General Visiting is temporarily paused.
Visiting Tenants at End-of-Life
- Support Workers, Caregivers and General Visitors for residents at end-of-life are exempt from regular antigen testing and vaccination requirements.
- End-of-Life Visitors will be asked to confirm their identity on arrival. To stay compliant with maximum visitor numbers, we encourage you to coordinate your visit with the tenant and/or their Caregivers.
- There are no time limits or set visiting hours.
Definitions
Essential Visitor
- The person identified by the client or substitute decision maker to provide essential supports to the client. A paid caregiver who provides direct care for support feeding, mobility, hygiene, and/or cognitive stimulation, may be considered as an Essential Visitor.
- Essential Visitors may be substituted to another individual by the client or substitute decision maker in consultation with the manager.
End-of-Life Visits:
General Visitors:
A General Visitor is a person who is not a designated Essential Visitor and is visiting:
- To provide non-essential services, who may or may not be hired by the hospital or the resident and/or their substitute decision maker; and/or
- For social reasons (e.g. family members or friends) that the client or their substitute decision-maker assess as different from direct care, including care related to cognitive stimulation, meaningful connection and relational continuity
General visitors are not permitted if a client is symptomatic, isolating under droplet and contact precautions, or lives in an area of the Hospital that is in an outbreak.
Fully Vaccinated for COVID-19:
Proof of Full Vaccination for COVID-19:
- COVID-19 Vaccine Certificate (paper or electronic); and
- Photo identification that matches name on immunization receipt.
Vaccination Medical Exemptions:
- If you are unable to be fully vaccinated for a medical reason, an appointment must be made with the Administrator of the Home to review your medical exemption documentation.
- Medical exemption documents must be completed by a physician or nurse practitioner and include:
- Name and contact information of the physician or nurse practitioner providing the note;
- Practice logo or letterhead identifying the physician or nurse practitioner;
- A statement that clearly indicates the medical reason for exemption of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19; and
- The time period for the medical exemption.
For visitor information on St. Joseph's Hospital or Long-Term Care Homes, please follow their respective links.
-- Updated: January 10, 2022 --
