Visiting

For the safety of Residents and staff, Cassellholme doors are locked outside of visiting hours. Exceptions can be made by coordinating with nursing staff. Cassellholme visitation is different when there is an outbreak. Alerts and instructions are posted at the entrance, recorded on the outgoing message of the phone system and displayed on the home page of the website. Visitors will be encouraged to delay visits depending on the type and location of the outbreak.

COVID-19 RESPONSE CHANGES – EFFECTIVE APRIL 1, 2023

Entrance Screening
There will no longer be a screener at the door. Instead, signs at the door will instruct you to screen yourself at every visit.

Masking
At a minimum, a blue surgical mask must be worn over your nose and mouth everywhere inside Cassellholme. If a unit, or the whole Home, is in outbreak, N95 masks and eye protection will be required facility-wide and/or the affected unit.

Hand Hygiene
At a minimum, when you enter and exit, put two pumps of hand sanitizer and rub it thoroughly, all over your hands, for at least 15 seconds. Repeat this going into and coming out of Residents' rooms.

Vaccination
Cassellholme's vaccine policy remains 'on pause' as we transition from "must have" to "strongly recommend".

VISITORS

General visitors are not allowed on units [or facility-wide] if there is an active outbreak. If in doubt, check the website. The home page header will display an ALERT circle indicating which unit[s] are affected.

Essential Caregivers [ECGs] are allowed to come in during an outbreak, but they must wear their badges the whole time. During this transition, there will be 'greeters' available from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. to help ECGs navigate all the changes.

For those who actively participate in their Resident's plan of care and want to be ECGs, contact Jillian Marchand for training.

The main entrance will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. If you come outside of those hours, ring the doorbell for assistance.

RESIDENTS

Residents on units that are not in outbreak will no longer be screened every day.
During an outing, Residents will no longer be required to track their contacts.

STAFF

Entry and PPE
All staff should enter through the rear staff entrance. PPE will be available there as per the requirements throughout the Home.

Illness
If a staff member is ill with COVID symptoms, they should call their scheduling department. They will continue to be tested Monday through Friday at the 'link' door, but at a new time – 10 to 10:15 a.m. The IPAC Manager no longer requires notification. Isolation remains 10 days from the onset of symptoms.

Cassellholme Visitor Policy [April 2023]

Management of Cases and Contacts of COVID-19 in Ontario [March 27, 2023]

COVID-19 guidance document for Long-Term Care homes in Ontario

LTC COVID-19 Policies from MOLTC

Here is our Vaccine Policy [currently under review] and an update on November 14, 2022