With growing global concerns surrounding the COVID-19 (coronavirus), we want to provide you with an update to our response in order to maintain the safest environment for our residents. At this time, the public health risk associated with COVID-19 is low for the general population, but as we know this could change rapidly and our senior’s population is most at high risk.
Westwinds Communities values your safety and that of our residents, employees and visitors. As a consequence, Westwinds is implementing outbreak pre-cautions for our retirement living communities which includes; limited access to the building, mandatory screening for visitors and contractors (for example Home Care), sanitation requirements for residents, employees and visitors, removal of shared touch points – where possible, and increased sanitation procedures for common area spaces to decrease the risk of infection.
The Government of Alberta has further restricted activity in retirement living by limiting access to the buildings to only essential service contractors and or visitors. Essential contractors or visitors must be in good health, participate in pre-screening, practice social distancing and follow Westwinds guidelines. Resident visitors are permitted a maximium of two visitors at a time who are assisting with an essential service – for example: pick-up/drop-off for medical appointment, medications, personal laundry.
Westwinds Communities encourages all visitors to not visit our facilities to minimize risk and exposure to our seniors.
Unfortunately Westwinds has had to suspend external entertainment but will still be offering in house activities and hair salon services at this time. Westwinds anticipates changes in Home Care services as the province moves to only provide essential services.
How you can help?
You can support residents to explore other ways to interact at this difficult time including participating in house activities; walking inside or outside; calling family; using social media – Facetime, Skype, Facebook Messenger; learning/doing a hobby; using the library or exercise equipment, etc. Remind residents that the Province encourages them to help reduce the risk of this pandemic affecting them, friends and family by remaining home and taking care of themselves.
We have also implemented precautions for our affordable housing units, following the guidelines provided by the Government of Alberta. We will continue to keep residents, tenants, their family members and the community apprised of our activities in response to Covid-19. If you have any questions, please contact us at cadmin@westwindscommunities.ca, or 403-652-8600.