13 October 2021 | View in Browser
 
 
Coronavirus (COVID-19) | Update for Residents and Families
 

Dear Resident Family Member,

RE: COVID-19 Update for Residents and Families - Calvary Haydon Retirement Community

Calvary can confirm that no new cases of COVID-19 have been identified at the facility since 2 October 2021.

We must sadly confirm that one resident has died overnight. This fully vaccinated resident of the Mary Potter household of the home tested positive for COVID-19 on 28 September and was receiving end of life care.

Family were offered a special end of life visit at the home before they died and we continue to make these opportunities available wherever possible to families. Special end of life visits are supported by our staff who provide full PPE to visitors, expert instruction and supervision to ensure resident and visitor safety at all times.

Our thoughts are with the family, our residents, families and staff following this sad news. We offer our sincere condolences to the family on behalf of the entire Calvary organisation, and ask that their privacy is given the utmost of respect at this time.

Following the news of last night’s death, the number of active or recovered cases is nine residents and four members of staff. All COVID-positive residents are residing in the Mary Potter household of the aged care home.

Update on resident freedom of movement

In close consultation with ACT Health, expanded freedom of movement has been given to residents of St Patrick, St Margaret, St Francis and St Teresa households of the home, including for walks, window visits with families and communal dining, amongst other activities.

Our team of lifestyle staff and allied health practitioners, including physiotherapists and pastoral carers, is available to support the holistic care needs of all residents.

For their safety, residents are not able to access any areas outside of their own household of residence at this time. Residents are also offered surgical facemasks to use if they choose when outside of their rooms.

Unfortunately, due to either the active case or close contact status of residents of the Mary Potter household, these residents will need to remain being cared for in their rooms until individually cleared by ACT Health.

We understand that for residents of Mary Potter household, the need to remain confined to their rooms is difficult. Our team of lifestyle staff and allied health practitioners, including physiotherapists and pastoral carers are on site to ensure the holistic care needs of all residents are met.

Once cleared, based on quarantine exit testing and the close monitoring for any symptoms, individual residents of the Mary Potter household will be permitted more freedom of movement within the confines of the household consistent with the other households of the facility.

When can visitors return?

In accordance with ACT Health directions, general visitation is not currently permitted.

However, special exceptions have been granted for several visitors who have attended the site for visiting their loved ones at end of life. We continue to make these opportunities available wherever possible to families.

General visitation will not be permitted until 14 days after the last resident has been cleared by ACT Health and the outbreak is declared over. We continue to work closely with ACT Health and will keep residents and families informed of the timing around this as it becomes clear.

Staying Connected - Window Visits and Video Calls

Families are also encouraged to speak to their loved ones via our video call service, to help keep residents connected with loved ones.

Window visits for residents and families of St Patrick, St Margaret, St Francis and St Teresa households are available. Initially, to accommodate demand and safety requirements, window visits are limited to 30 minutes. Our WebEx video call service remains available to all residents and families to assist connection with loved ones. Please call (02) 6264 7538 to make a booking for either a WebEx video call or a window visit.

Our dedicated staff continue to work diligently to keep all residents safe from infection. Our staff are trained in strict infection prevention and control protocols and continue to provide all resident care while wearing the appropriate PPE at all times.

Keeping you updated

As the situation has become more stable these communications will no longer be provided daily however we commit to keeping you informed as information arises, including any changes in restrictions, visitation and active cases.

For more information, including regular Situation Updates and a suite of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers, please continue to visit www.calvarycoronavirusupdates.org.au

While saddened by the news of last night’s death, we are pleased that no new cases have been identified in the past ten days and thank residents and families for working with us so generously to ensure the safety of the people in our care.

Sincerely,

Martin Bowles, National CEO

Barb Reid, Regional CEO - ACT