Year: 2021

Dear Family and Friends of RK MacDonald:

Please see the following update regarding our visitation restrictions. You will notice that there is an updated email address and phone number in order to book Indoor visits.

1. DCPs may visit in the room with the resident on their regularly scheduled days- Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday downstairs and Wednesday, Friday Sunday on second floor. Visitation hours are from 11:00am-5:00pm. DCPs who live in the same home may visit together, otherwise, visitors are unable to visit at the same time. This is unchanged.
2. There are no restrictions on DCP visits related to geography. If travel restrictions are implemented in the province, we will revisit this.
3. Family and friends may visit with residents in the Chapel on Tuesdays and Thursdays. These visits must be pre-booked. There can be up to 3 people in each group visiting with a resident in the chapel. Both the resident and visitors must wear masks and remain 6 feet apart. Visits can now be made by phoning 902-870-3458 – and email is rkmacdonaldnursinghomevisits@gmail.com
4. Residents are able to go for a drive with their DCP. There can be no stops including drive thrus or driveway/parking lot visitations with others. DCPs must wear masks at all times during the outing.

DCP visits:

Ideally DCP visits will occur in residents rooms, or in one of the gardens- weather permitting, however we know that for some residents, meaningful visits require that DCPs walk with Residents in common areas. The necessity of this is to ensure that we can accommodate social distancing between DCPs and residents. DCPs must wear their mask at all times, cannot eat or drink with their loved one, and the bedroom doors must remain open. PLEASE do not visit if you have a new cough or fever, or have any cold symptoms- rather book a COVID test, and reschedule your visit once your COVID test has come back negative and your symptoms have resolved.

Drives:

Please pre-book your drives as before with the staff at the screening desk.

While we are encouraged and hopeful now that many of us are vaccinated, we still have residents, staff and DCPs who are new to the community and not yet vaccinated or have a medical reason that does not allow them to be vaccinated. I understand that the restrictions are wearisome for many, but the cost of letting our guard down is far too high. We must continue to work together as a community and adhere to Public Health measures.

Public Health measures keep us all safe. Please socially distance from other residents and DCPs, keep your nose and mouth under your mask, use your hand sanitizer often and please DO NOT VISIT if you have cold symptoms or have been around somebody waiting for a COVID test/ is symptomatic.

We will be in touch very soon to get the second consent for resident vaccination from the Substitute Decision makers in preparation for the second dose of vaccine. We plan to give the vaccine to residents on April 14, 2021.

DCPs will receive their second dose of vaccine on April 17, 2021. We will be calling soon to book your second appointment.

Michelle Thompson
CEO R.K. MacDonald Nursing Home
64 Pleasant St, Antigonish, NS
B2G 2K9
Phone: 902-863-2578 ext 232

To: RK MacDonald Nursing Home – Designated Care Providers

We all know COVID-19 is never far away and we need to continue to be extra vigilant as we await vaccination for our residents. In response to growing concerns pertaining to the additional COVID-19 related restrictions being  applied to Halifax, Hants and Lunenburg Counties, the RK requests:

• Those DCP’s and Chapel visitors that have travelled to Halifax, Hants or Lunenburg County within the past 10 days are asked to please get tested and await test results before visiting the Home
• Those DCP’s that live in Halifax, Hants or Lunenburg Counties are asked to not visit the Home until the present restrictions on those Counties have been lifted by Public Health.
• Exceptions for compassionate reasons will continue to be addressed on a case by case basis
• Offsite outings for non-medical/dental reasons are discontinued for two weeks

Updates can be reviewed at: https://novascotia.ca/coronavirus/