Northside Community Guest Home Foundation

9 days til Bells of Care..a little different this year but wonderful support already

We are getting so close to our 2020 Virtual Bells of Care celebration and the support we have received this far is incredible. We are happy to announce that we have successfully set up our E-transfer. If you wish to donate to the Bells of Care celebration, in honor or in memory of your loved ones please contact the foundation office at 902-794-4733 ext 229 for more information.

So very pleased with the support we are receiving

Our Bells of Care virtual celebration will take place December 10th, 2020 at 6:30pm right here on our Facebook page. If you would like to participate by donating a bell in memory or in honor of your loved one you can do so in the following ways: 1. Call the foundation office and use credit card over the phone. 2. Mail in a cheque with your bells of care form. 3. Set up an appointment with the foundation office to donate using cash or cheque. We are still working to have emai...l transfer set up, but this process is taking longer than expected. If you do not have a bells of care form and wish to donate, please contact the foundation office for assistance 902-794-4733 ext 229. Thank you all for your continued support.

At the Northside Community Guest Home we are committed to providing the best possible care to our residents. As we continue to have very few cases of COVID-19 we will now put into place the latest easing of restrictions that was announced by the NS Government. We recognize the importance of family support for the well being of our residents. Outdoor visits will end effective October 1st, 2020 Indoor visits will remain with no changes... Designated Caregivers Effective September 28th, 2020 - We will work with each resident or substitute decision maker to identify two designated caregivers per resident, with only one visiting at a time. - Visitors will be screened upon arrival and if you do not pass the screening you will be asked to leave and phone 811. - Visits will be in the residents rooms - Visits will be for emotional support and the well-being of our residents - Visits will be by appointment only - Medical masks are mandatory and required to be worn at all times by visitors. Removal of masks will result in the visit ending. Please make all efforts to bring your own medical mask. - Visiting will be available seven (7) days per week at the following times: 1 2 p.m. 2 3 p.m. 3 4 p.m. Please contact the Recreation Department to schedule your time (902) 794-4733 ext. 255 Off-site visits - Effective October 1st, 2020 We are very pleased to let you know that the Province of Nova Scotia is now allowing residents of Long Term Care facilities to visit with family in their homes. Residents and their family members are required to abide by the physical distancing requirements, gathering limits, hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette, and to wear a mask when physical distancing cannot be maintained. Family members will be screened upon arrival and a reminder of measures to keep your loved one safe will be provided. These outings must be scheduled with the facility. Please contact the Recreation department to schedule (902) 794-4733 ext. 255 We THANK YOU for your patience and look forward to seeing you at your visit.

Hello everyone We are putting changes in place around our indoor visits. Whats new?... The list of visitors per resident is now expanded, at the discretion of the substitute decision maker or the resident. Instead of 3 designated visitors we are now increasing to allow up to 5 people or up to the number of adult children if this exceeds 5, only one visitor at a time per resident. All original guidelines around indoor visits remain the same. Please continue to work with our recreation department for scheduling indoor visits. Designated Caregivers We have not put guidelines in place to allow for designated caregivers, we are still in the planning stages as to how we will implement this. Once again, we thank you for your patience and as always we want to ensure the safety of residents and staff. Although COVID positive cases are low we must remain diligent in keeping our home virus free. We will update once we have more information to share

Staff Appreciation July...Mary Lynn MacIntyre And Rita Pye... August....Mary Blinkhorn And Angela Levangie Thank you so much for caring for our residents

Hero Draw: July..Rickey Kendall...$317.50 August..Angela Finney..$220... Thank you both so much for supporting the Foundation!

The Premier and Dr. Strang made new announcements this week easing a couple of restrictions for long term care. We are in the process of planning for these new guidelines and hope to implement changes on September 14th, we realize changes are important to both families and residents therefore we want to ensure things are put in place to protect everyone. This announcement does not open our doors we will still schedule visits as we have been doing, the indoor visitors will r...emain one at a time the big change is that the designated list of who can visit has expanded. I will have more details once we put our plan in place. Thank you for your understanding and patience.

The Premier made several exciting announcements last week for Long term care. Indoor visits for families and residents was the highlight of the announcement. As always, our number one priority is the safety of our residents and staff. Our residents are among the most vulnerable of our population.... We need to plan and prepare for these indoor visits, we need time to do this safely. Therefore, we will not be opening for visits on July 22, 2020 as was announced by the Premier. Please be patient with us as we plan and ensure we keep everyone safe. We will be scheduling indoor visits beginning Monday, July 27, 2020. Phone 902-794-4733 Ext 255 to schedule your visit. PLEASE NOTE: Indoor visits - Do not enter the facility, please wait outside until a staff comes to get you for your visit - Visits must be scheduled in advance, the Guest home is not open. - 1 person at a time will be allowed to visit, we can allow 3 designated people to visit but the substitute decision maker must name the 3 people. - We have one area inside for visits, this area must be cleaned and sanitized before and after each visit, visits will be scheduled to allow time for cleaning. - Medical masks are mandatory and to be worn at all times while in the facility. - Each visitor will be screened before entry. - If you have been outside of the Atlantic Bubble or have any visitors from outside the Bubble and either you or the visitors have not self isolated for 14 days please do not visit. - If you are unwell, please do not visit. Outdoor visits Outdoor visits are still available and we can offer a visit for up to 4 people at one time. We still require each visitor to keep their mask on at all times even while social distancing. As of July 22nd we will increase the number of visitors outside to 4. Hair Salon Our hair salon will reopen on July 22, 2020 We thank you for your patience and support as we work through these changes.

June Staff Appreciation Awards: Kellie Gouthro and Noelle Hodder Thank you so much for all you do for the residents

June Hero Club $212.50....Janice MacInnis Thank you for supporting the Foundation!

Happy Monday! We have our page back up and running. We are excited to announce that we will be offering outdoor visits with families and residents. You can book your visit the same way you do for facetime and window visits, contact our recreation department at 902-794-4733 ext 255. COVID-19 is not welcome in our home so please read the rules we have put in place to ensure your visit is a positive experience for both you and our residents. ... - Call the recreation department and they will assign you a day and time - Visits are 30 minutes long - Please arrive 10 minutes before your appointment time as you will be asked screening questions and are required to have your temperature taken - If you are unwell or have to self isolate you will need to reschedule your appointment - Bring your own mask as we will not supply masks, if you dont have a mask you will be asked to reschedule - Our staff will advise you where to park when making the appointment. - Visitors are not permitted in the building, visits are outside only - Visitors are limited to 2 people at a time Physical distancing - You will be expected to maintain 6 feet distance when visiting - Physical contact is prohibited The rules for visiting are put in place to protect our residents and keep COVID-19 out of our building. ** We will not accept any parcels or items for residents during the visit, you can phone the main office for information on how we accept parcels. **It is very important that you follow our guidelines and maintain a 6 feet distance at all times, our staff will supervise visits and have the right to end the visit at any time. Thank you for your cooperation

Heros Draw May Noelle Hodder-$220. Thank you so much for supporting the Foundation!Heros Draw May Noelle Hodder-$220. Thank you so much for supporting the Foundation!

Staff Appreciation Gift Cards May Elizabeth Billard and Chelsea Kane Thank you for the wonderful work you do for our residents!

Heroes Draws March...Michele Keeling..$230 April...Sara MacNeil..$220Heroes Draws March...Michele Keeling..$230 April...Sara MacNeil..$220

Staff Appreciation Awards March...Michele Keeling and Pauline Hardy-Penney April...Jesse Reid and Lindsay Andrea... Thank you so much to all staff for your kindness and caring these past months!

We had fun making these videos

FaceTime with George Quirk!

https://www.northsidecommunityguesthome.com//update-may-4t

Wonderful to see

Thank you to Northside 4 Chase the Ace for the donation of an ipad to the Northside Guest Home!!

We hope you like the pictures as much as we do!

We received two very generous donations of ipads for the Guest Home. The first was donated by members of CUPE local 1876, members of the executive committee Wanda Bond and Tanya Clements delivered an ipad to help us keep residents and families connected. Thank you! The second delivery, three ipads donated by Jenn Sheppard, Stephen Muise & Jordyn Crocker. This musical family have been holding weekly Facebook live music sessions to raise money for various causes. "Garbage Night Sessions", check them out. We thank you all for your kindness. We will put these to good use. We live in a such a great community!

Updates for the Guest Home will be provided on our website: https://www.northsidecommunityguesthome.com/ under COVID-19 Please phone the administration office if you have any questions.

We live in an amazing community! Joe King donated pizza for the staff today! Canadian Tire donated hand sanitizer to the Guest Home this week! Thank you!We live in an amazing community! Joe King donated pizza for the staff today! Canadian Tire donated hand sanitizer to the Guest Home this week! Thank you!

A huge thank you to the Guest Home staff for their wonderful care to our residents these past weeks! You are amazing!A huge thank you to the Guest Home staff for their wonderful care to our residents these past weeks! You are amazing!

It is with deep sadness that I confirm, a resident of the Northside Community Guest Home has tested positive for COVID-19 and has since passed away at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family at this difficult time. Testing of the resident for COVID-19 took place while in hospital and the Guest Home was notified of the positive test result. ... Since receiving notification, we have been working diligently with Public Health and following their directives, such as: Resident and staff temperatures are taken daily. Testing all residents for COVID-19 Testing staff that have been in contact with the resident. Use of personal protective equipment Public Healths investigation is ongoing and the source of transmission is still unknown. Our number one priority has always been and continues to be the health and safety of our residents and our dedicated, hardworking staff. Out of respect and privacy for the grieving family, please do not leave comments on this post.

If anyone has 1/4 inch (or close) elastic for making masks , that you could donate please call Kelly 902-794-2409 Thank youIf anyone has 1/4 inch (or close) elastic for making masks , that you could donate please call Kelly 902-794-2409 Thank you

A MESSAGE FROM THE ADMINISTRATOR OF THE NORTHSIDE COMMUNITY GUEST HOME Hi Everyone, I wish to provide an update with regard to how the Northside Community Guest... is proactively preparing in response to the current global outbreak of Covid 19. First I would like to ensure you that our number one priority is the health and safety of our residents and staff. The Northside Guest Home has had visitor restrictions in place for some time now leading up to the full closure and this has put us at an advantage as public access has been very limited in the facility. The Northside Community Guest Home is guided by the direction of the Department of Health and Wellness with whom we are in regular communication. Our existing Pandemic Plan is regularly revised and will be implemented as needed. Management support is available 24/7. Staff are being encouraged to speak with their immediate supervisor, their Department Manager and/or the Administrator for any questions or concerns. SOME SPECIFIC PREVENTATIVE MEASURES BEING IMPLEMENTED: Increased cleaning and disinfecting Increased education Practicing social distancing when possible Covid 19 Communication boards for information pertinent to staff Preparations underway for some administration staff to work from home to ensure the continuity of payroll and other financial obligations. SUPPLIES: Preparation has been underway for some time regarding supply levels such as food, oil, propane, nursing supplies, personal protective equipment, etc. Communication with suppliers is ongoing STAFF TRAVEL: Provincial guidelines are being followed and screening is in place for all staff who have travelled or who have been in contact with people who have travelled. ADMITTING NEW RESIDENTS: The Northside Guest Home is required to continue to admit new residents. Each new resident is being screened prior to arriving at the facility. Adjustments have had to be made regarding the daily routines of our residents while we continue to provide the same level and quality of care as always. We hope everyone stays safe and we look forward to welcoming you back to the Northside Community Guest Home when our doors reopen. For questions or concerns you may contact the Guest Home at 902-794-4733. Kim Gale Administrator

For any family members and friends of residents of the Northside Community Guest Home, we would like to advise you and encourage the use of emails to your loved ones. Our wonderful activities staff want to make every effort to ensure our residents are able to stay in contact with their loved ones at this difficult time. The activities staff will sit with your loved one and read the email with them and also respond with their words. You can send emails to [email protected]. Please include the residents name you are sending the email for.

In response to the recent restrictions put in place by Health Canada surrounding Covid-19, we at the Northside Community Guest Home and Foundation have agreed that it is in the best interest of our guests, volunteers and community that we postpone our Spring Gala event that was scheduled for April 25th, 2020. As new information and updates are received from the province, the committee will re-evaluate based on guidelines, restrictions and the overall safety of our community. Thank you for your continued support. for any questions on tables purchases or donations that have been made please contact: Hailey Marinelli co-chair foundation committee 902-794-4733 ext 229 or email [email protected]

Staff Appreciation Awards February Nancy Jessome Marlene MacDonald Thank you for your care for our residents.Staff Appreciation Awards February Nancy Jessome Marlene MacDonald Thank you for your care for our residents.

Hero Club winner for February Diane MacInnis $230 Thank you for supporting the Foundation!Hero Club winner for February Diane MacInnis $230 Thank you for supporting the Foundation!

Hero Club winner for February Diane MacInnis $230 Thank you so much for supporting the Foundation!Hero Club winner for February Diane MacInnis $230 Thank you so much for supporting the Foundation!

The Foundation is again selling tickets on a trip for 2 anywhere Westjet flies and a Kitchen enhancement package. $5 or3/$10