COVID 19

Visitor Requirements:

As part of the residence’s policy on visits during COVID-19, all residents, families, visitors and staff will be provided with this information package, including education on all required protocols.

Visitor restrictions are based on Directive #3 issued by the Chief Medical Officer of Health (CMOH), Ministry for Seniors and Accessibility (MSAA) and the Retirement Homes Regulatory Authority (RHRA) Retirement Homes Policy to Implement Directive #3, and requirements outlined in the provincial COVID-19 Response Framework: Keeping Ontario Safe and Open (Provincial Framework).

Compliance with Policy

All visitors must review the Information Package for Visitors prior to their visit and comply with the policy. Every individual in the residence – staff, student, volunteer, visitor, or resident – has a responsibility in ensuring the ongoing health and safety of all by practicing IPAC measures as noted throughout this policy at all times, and these measures apply whether or not they have received a COVID-19 vaccine. Failure to comply with the residence’s visiting policies may result in the discontinuation of visit(s) when risk of harm from continual non-compliance is considered too high. Refusal of entry will be assessed on a case-by-case basis by management/Designate.

Limiting Movement in the Residence

All visitors will be actively screened at the beginning of their visit before they are allowed to enter the residence. Visitors will not be permitted access if they do not pass screening, unless an exception applies as noted in this policy (e.g. first responders, visitors for imminently palliative residents, if resident care cannot be maintained as assessed by the residence).

The number of visitors per resident is set out in the residence’s visiting policy. Residents who are self-isolating under the Droplet and Contact Precautions may only receive Essential Visitors:

Essential Caregivers

    • An Essential Caregiver is a type of Essential Visitor who is designated by the resident or, if the resident if unable to do so, their substitute decision-maker.
    • Essential caregivers visit to provide care to a resident (e.g., supporting feeding, mobility, personal hygiene, cognitive stimulation, communication, meaningful connection, relational continuity and assistance in decision-making). A maximum of 2 Essential Caregivers may be designated per resident.

General Visitors

    • General visitors may visit a resident outdoors in a designated area. The number of individuals in a group must not exceed provincial limits for outdoor gatherings
    • General Visitors may visit a resident indoors in a designated area. Groups may include up to 5 individuals at any one time (including the resident(s)) as long as the designated space allows for physical distancing between individuals from separate households. Group limits for indoor visits in a designated area do not include children 2 years or under.
    • General Visitors may visit a resident in their suite only if the home does not have the space to accommodate a designated indoor/outdoor visiting area, if the resident is unable to have the visit in a designated area (e.g., due to mobility issues), or to support other accommodations Visits in suites are limited to no more than 2 individuals to allow proper physical distancing. Group limits do not include children 2 years or under, and only one resident per suite may have General Visitors at any one time.

The following protocols are in place and enforced:

    • Physical Distancing
    • Respiratory Etiquette
    • Hand Hygiene
    • Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) Practices
    • Use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

For all visits with General Visitors, the following measures must be in place:

    • Visitors must wear masks for the duration of the visit unless exempt under Directive #3 (masking for residents is required if tolerated).
    • Visitors and residents must maintain physical distancing (2 metres separation) for the duration of the visit. This is with the exception of brief physical contact while hugging.

Complaints Process
Should a visitor have a complaint about the administration of the residence’s visiting policy, they may contact us by phone at 613-389-8989 or email: info@thewindsorretirementresidence.com, and the complaint will be responded to in a timely manner. If your concern is not resolved to your satisfaction with the residence’s management, visitors may contact the Retirement Homes Regulatory Authority (RHRA) by email (info@rhra.ca) and/or phone (1-855-275-7472).

COVID 19 Documents

Appendix A - Information Package
Appendix B - Signage for Visits
Appendix F – Essential Caregiver Designation Form
COVID-19 Protocols for Resident Absences