Year: 2022

Lights of Love Christmas Campaign 2022 Begins

Nov 28, 2022

Join us in celebrating Christmas this year by helping the R. K. MacDonald Nursing Home light its tree with bulbs dedicated to love. This is the 25th year that our “Lights of Love” Christmas tree will be lit to honour individuals in whose name donations have been made. Those honoured do not have to be residents of the R.K.

Your donation will be used to “Enhance the Journey of Life” to the residents of the R. K. MacDonald Nursing Home. This will include comforts in the dining areas and comfortable furniture in the common spaces for residents and guests consistent with a home like atmosphere.

You can dedicate a bulb in memory of a deceased loved one or honour someone presently in your life. There is no limit to the number of bulbs you can purchase. In addition to a tax receipt for your donation, you can receive a card to send to anyone you have honoured.

It is at 7:00pm on Sunday December 4, 2022 and the tree on the front lawn of the RK MacDonald Nursing Home will be lit at that time. All dedications will be entered in a “Lights of Love Memorial Book” that will be on display in the R.K. Chapel throughout the upcoming year.

For more information or to donate in support of the campaign, please visit the Lights of Love page.

COVID Update – July 6th, 2022

Jul 6, 2022

As you are likely aware, the Nova Scotia Government is recommending further loosening of COVID management guidelines for long term care facilities. Before we can get into their recommendations, let’s have a look at what we learned during the latest COVID-19 outbreak:

Residents: 38 residents were COVID positive – fortunately, they were all vaccinated and most had very mild symptoms
Staff: 25 staff were required to isolate due to contracting COVID-19
Significant staff stress due to the necessity to fully gown, glove, mask and shield in order to provide care to our residents

Based on our recent experience, we acknowledge the impact a COVID-19 outbreak has on our residents, families and staff. Our response to today’s Government recommendations reflect our ability to support the safeguards we will continue to implement to reduce the likelihood of future outbreaks.

Outbreak Update:

Outbreaks have been declared over in Cobblestone, Thistledown, Tanglewood, Maple Ridge and Brambleberry
Martha’s Place remains in a Suspected Outbreak situation – see visitation guidelines below.

Screening:

Our Main Entrance screening practices are under review, however they will remain in place and include temperature checks and signing in

Visitation: Non Outbreak Care Area

DCG’s, family and friends are all welcome to visit your loved ones here at the RK
3 visitors in a private living area, 2 visitors in a semi private resident room at one time
There are no restrictions on where your visits can take place – indoors or outdoors – our gardens are in full bloom!
Please do not bring food or drink for yourself as masks must remain on at all times for indoor visits
Mask are encouraged for outdoor visits while maintaining 6’ social distancing
Visitors no longer have to be vaccinated
Visitation hours are from 11:00am to 7:00pm, seven days a week
Masks are strongly encouraged for resident offsite outings

Visitation: Outbreak Care Area

Only Designated Care Givers are welcome to visit – full Personal Protective Equipment will be available for DCG’s – please complete the DCG education session
Please do not bring food or drink for yourself as masks must remain on at all times for indoor visits
Residents must remain in their care area to reduce the risk of spread

DCG Education

This initiative will enable DCG’s to safely visit during a suspected or an outbreak situation. DCG’s can sign up by calling either 902-863-2578 ext. 222 or 902-863-3458.

Important reminder

Managing COVID will be an ongoing challenge and we fully anticipate experiencing future outbreaks. Our goal is to minimize the risk to our residents and staff. We ask that when out in public please consider wearing a mask …. COVID-19 is still very active, very invisible, very contagious and has a significant impact on our ability to safely staff the Home in order to continue providing quality care to your loved ones!”

Please forward this update to your family members and any friends that visit the RK.

Terry MacIntyre, CEO
RK MacDonald Senior Leadership Team

Closed to All Visitation

Jun 1, 2022

Due to an outbreak of COVID-19, all care areas in the Home are closed to all visitation effective June 2, 2022 until further notice.

Visitation Closed – Maple Ridge & Bramble Berry

May 30, 2022

Maple ridge/Bramble berry is closed to all visitation effective May 29, 2022 until further notice.

Martha’s Place Re-Opened

May 12, 2022

Dear Family members,

We are pleased to announce that Martha’s Place will open for general visitation effective today, Thursday May 12th at 11am. We want to thank you for your ongoing cooperation and support and look forward to welcoming you back.

Sincerely,
RK MacDonald Senior Leadership Team

COVID-19 Case

Apr 5, 2022

Families of RK Residents,

A resident living in Martha’s Place has tested positive for COVID-19 and their family has been notified. The resident is in isolation and all residents in Martha’s Place are being monitored for symptoms. As a result, Martha’s visitation is restricted to Designated Care Givers only.

We ask that family members receiving this e mail to notify family and friends that visit with a resident on Martha’s Place to make them aware of the change in visitation.

The remainder of the Home remains open to visitation and we will keep everyone up to date on any further changes to visitation.

March 11, 2022 Update

Mar 14, 2022

The silent infectious period of COVID-19 is our central risk factor in managing COVID. However, another risk needs to be considered; the balance between protecting the physical health of our residents from and supporting the overall well-being versus becoming COVID +ve. The key word here is “balance”.

We know the value of having visitors in the Home; you bring a vibrant energy that is shared not only with your family member, with others residents and staff you meet along the way. Furthermore, our safety practices requiring us to screen you, check your temperature, support proper mask wearing and hand washing helps to keep our safety measures front and center.

Please note, in the event COVID does make its presence known in the Home, we are all vaccinated, we have an excellent staff and we have immediate access to our Government partners. Trusting our safety measures, it’s time to take the next step.

DCG Visitation: Phase 3 – effective Monday, March 14, 2002

Long-term care residents can have up to 3 visitors at a time in a private resident room and two (2) visitors at a time in a semi-private resident room (doesn’t need to be the same visitors each time).
Visitation is open seven (7) days a week from 11:00am to 7:00pm.
Visitors at long-term care facilities need to wear a maskand be fully vaccinated (exceptions for vaccinations for end-of-life visits). Visitors need to follow social distancing guidelines (except for a quick, close contact, like a hug).
Residents can leave the facility to visit with family in their homes (overnight stays are not permitted). Residents can also leave the facility to visit indoor and outdoor public places (like parks, stores and restaurants). Residents and visitors need to follow public health measures: social distancingand masks are required – a brief risk assessment is completed on return to the Home

Outings should be pre booked with the front screener by calling ext. 222 or cell 902 870-3458 and resident needs to return by 6:30pm to complete the Outing Risk Assessment.

In event we experience a COVID +ve case, pending circumstances, our goal will be to only restrict access to the care area involved.
Wash your hands regularly when visiting.
Keep your mask over your nose and mouth at all times – this is the most important component of our safety practices – no gaps in masking!
Please do not bring food or drinks to the Home as it creates a “gap in masking” opportunity for you. Feel welcome to bring treats for your family member.
On arrival, Visitors [including DCG’s] will be provided with a mask for themselves and second mask for their family member resident – we strongly recommend residents wear a mask during the visit
New resident DCG’s and volunteers will be provided with the Infection Prevention and Control in-service prior to their initial visit.
Please do not visit the Home if you are feeling unwell or are a close contact of a COVID +ve individual. If you become unwell and test positive for COVID-19 after visiting, please let us know immediately by calling 902-714-5656.
Phase 4 will be re-evaluated in 4 weeks.

Please share this visitation update with friends and family members!

Senior Leadership Team at the R.K. MacDonald Nursing Home

Family Update – Feb 18, 2022

Feb 23, 2022

Dear Families,

In Phase 1 our safety practices for staff and Designated Care Givers were assessed and I am pleased to say increased visitation was well received.

I sense that our community is still stressed with COVID’s lingering presence and that the path forward remains uncertain. We are all likely experiencing a bit of anxiety and within this environment, we have to move forward with confidence and in a calculated manner.

Our COVID safety practices have been challenged and they have proven effective. Our residents have received their booster, our staff is doubly vaccinated and many have received a booster and our collective attention to the importance of proper mask wearing is commendable.

Today we announce Phase 2 of our visitation program.

DCG Visitation: Phase 2 – effective Monday, Feb. 21, 2002

Visitation is now available to two (2) doubly vaccinated Designated Care Givers [DCG’s]
Visitation is open seven (7) days a week from 11:00am to 5:00pm
In event we experience a COVID +ve case, pending circumstances, our goal will be to only restrict access to the care area involved
Wash your hands regularly when visiting
Keep your mask over your nose and mouth at all times – this is the most important component of our safety practices – no gaps in masking!
Please do not bring food or drinks to the Home as it creates a “gap in masking” opportunity. Feel welcome to bring treats for your family member
On arrival, DCG’s will be provided with a mask for themselves and second mask for their family member resident – we strongly recommend residents wear a mask during the visit
No switching DCG’s
Visits to take place in the residents room with the door open to support proper mask wearing
New resident DCG’s will be provided with the Infection Prevention and Control in-service prior to their initial visit
Please do not visit the Home if you are feeling unwell or are a close contact of a COVID +ve individual
If you become unwell and test positive for COVID-19 after visiting, please let us know immediately by calling 902-714-5656
Phase 2 will be re-evaluated in 2 weeks

On behalf of our Residents, Senior Leadership team and all our staff, we continue to welcome families back onto our community!

Thank you for your ongoing support!

Terry MacIntyre, CEO

Visitation Update February 4, 2022

Feb 4, 2022

Dear Families,

On behalf of our Senior Leadership team and all our staff, I offer a most sincere thank you and wish to express how much we appreciate your support and understanding during these difficult times.

No matter where we turn in life there are risks, we know they are not going away and we need to implement safety practices to manage them. Clearly, this is the case with COVID-19; we acknowledge the risks, we assess the risks, implement measures to address the risks and acknowledge there will always be a risk.

Ongoing discussions with colleagues at other homes and Provincial Infection Prevention and Control staff repeatedly stress that COVID will get in to the Home when we are less than 6’ apart and we remove our masks to eat, drink or chat. This is called a “gap in masking” and we simply cannot afford any gaps in masking!

DCG Visitation: Phase 1 – starting Monday, Feb. 7, 2002

Substitute Decision Maker will appoint 1 current DCG in Phase 1 by notifying the Screening Team at front.screener@rkmacdonald.ca or by calling 902-870-3458 [daily between 9am and 7pm] prior to your initial visit
Open to visitation seven (7) days a week from 11:00am to 5:00pm
Wash your hands regularly when visiting
Keep your mask over your nose and mouth at all times- visits will be suspended if this is not followed
Please do not bring food or drinks to the Home as it creates a “gap in masking” opportunity. Feel welcome to bring treats for your family member
On arrival, DCG’s will be provided with a mask for themselves and second mask for their family member resident – we strongly recommend residents wear a mask during the visit
No switching DCG’s
Visits to take place in the residents room with the door open to support proper mask wearing
New resident DCG’s will be provided with the Infection Prevention and Control in-service prior to their initial visit
Please do not visit the Home if you are feeling unwell or are a close contact of a COVID +ve individual
If you become unwell and test positive for COVID-19 after visiting, please let us know immediately by calling 902-714-5656
Phase I will be re-evaluated in 2 weeks

We are learning to live with COVID-19 and feel the layers of safety we have put in place will enable us to manage any COVID-19 situation. On behalf of our Residents, Senior Leadership team and all our staff, we welcome you back to the RK!

Kindest personal regards, Terry MacIntyre, CEO

PHYSIOTHERAPIST

Jan 28, 2022

On behalf of the Senior Leader Team at the R.K. MacDonald Nursing Home it is our pleasure to welcome Miles Tompkins who has joined our team in a Term position as Physiotherapist on Monday January 24, 2022. We look forward to Miles insights, contributions and feedback in his new role at the R.K. MacDonald Nursing Home.