Valley View Villa is excited to learn that provincial leaders feel confident enough in our public health to further lift restrictions effective July 22, 2020. We will work towards incorporating the changes as best as possible; however, there are other operational barriers that many of our long term care homes are now facing that don’t fall under the public health plan. For now we are not scheduling indoor visits until a feasible and safe plan is established.

Please understand that our first priority is the safety and care of our residents and we know that time spent with families and loved ones is of paramount importance. We hope to work through this matter quickly and with the least amount of impact on our residents. We appreciate the continued understanding and public support that is shown to Valley View Villa.

Marcus Stephenson
(Administrator)

As mentioned last week, outdoor family visits have been allowed in LTC. Our staff have been working
extra hard this week to create a comfortable space to make visits a great experience for both you and
your loved one. We have been upgrading the Gazebo in the front of the building. Floor boards were
replaced and covered with plywood, the bottom rails have been walled, its completely screened in, fresh
coat of paint, decorated, electric heater will be above resident for cool days, lighting, gardens redone,
and furnished.

If you wish to book a visit please contact Lisa White by emailing her at lisaw@vvvilla.ca. Those who had
a window visit booked, will be moved to the outdoor visits. There is high volume of requests for visiting.
For this reason, we are only allowing 1 visit per resident per week. Due to the demand, we are already
working on a 2nd location to increase our capacity. We are covering the deck off the Oak Wing that leads
to the outdoor courtyard. We are also submitting our staffing increase request to support these visits
with a formalized process through the Department of Health. Once complete, we will be sure to keep
everyone posted.

When you arrive for your visit, please arrive on time (even 5 minutes early) to process the required
paperwork. You may park in the first two parking spots out front of the facility. Signage will designate
the family visitor spots. You will be greeted by our staff at the Gazebo. Here you will be given a mask to
wear (or you can bring your own), your temperature will be taken with an touchless thermometer, and a
form you are required to fill out asking a series of questions for screening purposes. This paperwork is
mandatory. This paperwork would be used by Public Health in the event of a facility outbreak. Once your
paperwork is complete, you will be offered a snack and refreshment from our fixed menu. You will be
seated in the gazebo in a designated spot, at which point your loved one will then be brought out to
their designated spot. Your visit will be restricted to 20‐30 mins (depending on set up). All surfaces will
be cleaned in between visits.

All visits will be monitored by a staff member. Maintaining at social distance of 2 meters (6ft) is required
at all times. Unfortunately, you will not be able to hug, kiss, or make any direct contact. Any visitor who
violates the mandates issued by Chief Medical Office of Health, will be asked to leave immediately and
will be prohibited from returning to the property. The resident or loved one you made contact with, will
also be required to isolate for 14 days (as per Public Health). I trust that everyone will respect the rules,
as they are to protect our most vulnerable. If we feel the program is unsafe, Valley View Villa reserve the
right to cancel.

We are very excited to have this available. Look forward to seeing you and your loved one reconnect
and enjoy the summer days.

Thanks,

Marcus Stephenson
(Administrator)

Dear Family & Loved Ones,

As we move through our first wave here in Nova Scotia, I am proud to say that our efforts have been successful. No resident or staff member has tested positive for COVID-19. We are finding new ways to live with COVID-19, and we continue to be extra diligent in our safety. We have required staff to wear masks in the care area, sectioned the building into 4 units (cohorts) where staff have their own entry ways, resident temperatures are monitored twice daily and sent into Public Health, staff are screened before entering the building, mandatory PPE training for staff, and increase in staffing levels in all departments to allow for cohorting.

The threshold for testing is low. There is a lengthy list of symptoms that will now require testing (both residents and staff). Testing is done regularly. This is an extra safety precaution to ensure active cases are caught early. We know that the province is actively working on phases to reopen the economy. It has been noted that opening the facility will occur in the later phases, as our residents are most vulnerable. Once we know more on how the facility is phased into reopening, we will share with families and public. This will be in consultation with the sector and public health.

Valley View Villa continues to strive for excellence on a daily basis. Every day new measures are discussed and implemented to improve the safety and wellbeing of our loved ones. As the economy opens back up on June 5th, we know that a possible 2nd wave is to soon hit the province. For this reason, Valley View Villa will remain diligent and cautious.

We have been approved a music therapist for the summer, as well an additional summer student to help with recreation. In our most recent family satisfaction survey, it was noted more attention needs to be given to our gardens. We have applied for federal funding to address this and anticipate hearing in the next week or two. We know that these are difficult times for your loved ones who have been isolated. Know that our staff go above and beyond in all aspects of care. You can see all staff socializing with residents, doing recreational activities, assist residents to connect families through IPADs, haircare, and much more.

Please check out our new webpage, it is a lot more inviting and usable. We are hoping to have a COVID19 tab available soon, to better inform families and the public. If you have any questions, please reach out. Valley View Villa is here for your loved one, and will always put them FIRST.

Marcus Stephenson
Administrator