Changes to Visitation Practices at Actionmarguerite

April 14, 2023

Dear Actionmarguerite residents and families,

As you may know, the entrance screening program came to an end March 31, 2023 at Actionmarguerite. We thank you for your willingness to transition to the realities of our entrances without the screening team greeting you.  As a reminder, please note the following changes to our practices.

Practices when entering Actionmarguerite

When entering Actionmarguerite you will be responsible to:

  • self-screen yourself for symptoms of illness and not visit if you are ill;
  • sanitize your hands before and after putting on a mask;
  • put on a medical grade mask available at our entrances; and
  • sign-in and out in the visitor logbook.

Visiting hours and visiting spaces

Visiting hours are from 9:00 am to 8:00 pm daily. Up to two (2) visitors can visit a resident on the unit at any one time. Masks must be worn properly at all times during the visit.

Where space permits, visiting stations are available in some common areas. A maximum of four (4) visitors and the resident can enjoy these spaces together. Help us stop the spread of germs and continue to sanitize these spaces with the cleaning products provided.

Entry into the building

In the interest of offering the safest living and working environment possible, the front doors will remain secured at all times. To enter the building, you will need to use an access card to swipe in during visiting hours. For visitors without access cards and outside of visiting hours, access can be granted by ringing the doorbell at the front of our buildings.

Each resident is entitled to a maximum of 5 access cards. A $10 deposit is required for each card. To obtain your access card to swipe in, please reach out to a member of the reception team:

Practices to minimize the risk of spreading germs

  • Screen yourself for signs and symptoms of illness and do not visit if you are ill.
  • Sanitize your hands upon entry and often throughout your visit. View the Hand Hygiene video for information on protecting yourself and your loved one.
  • A medical grade mask is required before proceeding to visit your loved one and should be worn at all times when visiting.
  • You may be asked to wear an eye shield and other personal protective equipment if there is an outbreak on the resident’s unit.
  • Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, discard the tissue and sanitize your hands. If you don’t have a tissue, sneeze or cough into your upper sleeve or elbow.

Social Leaves

Social leaves are off-site outings of any duration that are not required for essential health care services. Call the unit directly to let the care team know about a short-stay absence. For overnight stays, please follow-up directly with the Resident Care Manager.

Room rentals for gatherings

As we continue to adjust the existing pandemic measures, we will consider room rentals on a case-by-case basis as those spaces are currently still needed for COVID restrictions that remain in place such as physical distancing. We thank you for your continued support as we adapt our practices to the ever-changing environment.

Virtual visits

We learned during the pandemic that virtual visits were possible and appreciated by residents and family members, especially ones living out of province. Virtual visits will therefore continue to be a visitation option. Going forward, please reach out to a member of our recreation team to book your virtual visit:

  • Actionmarguerite St. Boniface (204) 233-3692 ext. 523
  • Actionmarguerite St. Vital (204) 254-3332 ext. 555
  • Actionmarguerite St. Joseph (204) 697-8031 ext. 233

Safe visitation practices

We encourage you to view the following videos to support us all in safe visitation practices.

Designated Family Caregiver and General Visitor Access

Actionmarguerite acknowledges the social nature of care and the role of family as an integral dimension of the resident experience. Therefore, at Actionmarguerite there is a presumption in favour of family presence as the standard of care. Exceptions are necessary when resident and staff safety, quality, privacy, and other factors determine limitations. For instance, during an outbreak it is necessary to limit general visits as one of the measures to reduce the spread of illness. It is important then to continue distinguishing between a Designated Family Caregiver and a General Visitor:

  • Designated Family Caregiver: Any person whom the resident and/or substitute decision maker identifies and designates as their family caregiver. These individuals actively and regularly participate in providing care and may support feeding, mobility, personal hygiene, cognitive stimulation, meaningful connection, relational continuity, and assistance in decision-making. Up to four (4) Designated Family Caregivers can be named per resident by contacting a member of the social work team.  
  • General Visitor: Family and friends who visit for social reasons. Their time with the resident is discretionary and short term. They are not involved in the care of the resident.

We are grateful for everyone’s participation in co-creating safe living and working environments at Actionmarguerite. As always, should you have any questions, please write to info@actionmarguerite.ca.

With regards,

Micheline St-Hilaire, Chief Executive Officer