Resuming Visits in Elgin County's Homes

September 16, 2020

For Immediate Release

Resuming Visits in Elgin County’s Homes

The Ministry of Long-Term Care recently announced changes to the visitor restrictions impacting visits to the Homes; and absences from the Home, including short stay absences (daytime outings) and overnight or temporary absences.  The County of Elgin is excited to release additional details about how we will safely and cautiously re-start daytime outings and overnight absences for our residents in Elgin’s three Long-Term Care Homes. As we proceed with a cautious re-start of daytime outings and absences, several safeguards have been put in place to protect our staff and residents.

“We have been working hard to find ways to ensure safe visiting methods and have put measures in place to keep your loved ones as safe as possible during these difficult times and are asking that visitors consider their health and susceptibility to the virus in deciding whether they should attend the home for a visit,” said Warden Mennill, “I encourage everyone to work together to protect our residents, staff and the community from COVID-19.” 

Elgin’s Homes are excited to see residents enjoy time with family and friends! To keep our Homes free from COVID-19, measures have been put in place to keep staff, residents and their families safe. 

Elgin County’s Long-Term Care Homes continue to balance the health and safety needs of residents, staff and visitors while ensuring the risks associated with COVID-19 are mitigated as much as possible. 

Things to know about Off-Site Visits

• All requests for off-site visits will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis and may be limited due to local disease transmission and activity.
• Off-Site Visits must be pre-arranged (Daytime Outings require 24-hours notice and Overnight Absences require 5-days notice) – individuals interested in arranging an off-site visit are encouraged to call the Long-Term Care Home.
• Individuals taking a resident off-site should be prepared to answer some questions about their health and the purpose of the off-site visit.
• We’ll make sure the resident is screened before each outing and upon their return to the Home.
• Anyone arranging an off-site visit will be required to have tested negative for COVID-19 within the last 14-day period before the off-site visit.
• Residents who have been off-site for a daytime outing are not required to self-isolate upon their return.
• Residents who have been off-site for an overnight absence are required to self-isolate for 14-days.
• All residents who can tolerate masks are encouraged to keep a mask on whenever possible while off-site, the Home will provide medical masks for this purpose.
• Residents, family and friends are asked to strictly adhere to public health measures including physical distancing, hand hygiene, mask etiquette, respiratory etiquette, and “social bubble” restrictions.
• Elgin’s Homes will try to provide as much notice as possible if visits (on-site and off-site) are cancelled due to an outbreak or if visitor restrictions change.

For the safety of our residents and our community, Elgin County’s LTCHs will regularly assess local transmission rates and risk associated with visits (on and off-site) and may have to adjust the Visitors and Resident Absences During a Pandemic Policy throughout the pandemic. 

Please contact the Home to schedule a visit (on-site or off-site) with your friend or loved one:

• Bobier Villa – bvvisits@elgin.ca or 519-671-0289
• Elgin Manor – emvisits@elgin.ca or 226-377-6564
• Terrace Lodge – tlvisits@elgin.ca or 519-641-9135

We would like to thank the friends and loved ones of our residents for their ongoing support for the Homes Staff as they continue to prioritize the safety of your loved ones – we are all looking forward to a time when visitor restrictions are no longer in place. 

For an overview of the Visitors and Resident Absences During a Pandemic Policy, please see the Director of Homes and Seniors Services’ video presentation.

For more information, please contact:

Warden Dave Mennill                    Michele Harris, Director of Homes and Seniors Services
519-200-0279                                 519-631-1460 x. 191
dmennill@elgin.ca                         mharris@elgin.ca