Submitted by Golden Dawn
Senior Citizens’ Home
Golden Dawn continues to work closely with the Grey Bruce Health Unit and Peninsula Family Health Team to implement all provincial directives to keep residents and staff safe.
On April 22, a new Ministry directive was released enhancing testing guidelines for Golden Dawn and all Ontario long-term care homes, including:
-Immediately testing all residents and staff in homes in outbreak, or where residents and staff exhibit symptoms;
-Surveillance testing in some homes with no symptomatic residents or staff.
Public Health will be in contact with our Golden Dawn regarding timelines and implementation.
We are in the process of further updating our website (goldendawn.ca). The main page will be a quick reference for family members and other concerned members of the public, so you can easily find the most relevant information.
Golden Dawn continues to implement the following:
• No visitors at this time (unless deemed as an essential visitor i.e. those who are visiting residents who are very ill or at end-of-life). We continue to do our best to help family and friends connect with loved ones through phone calls and video chats. Call the home to schedule a virtual visit.
• Limiting staff to work in only one location – While this emergency order came into effect on April 22, Golden Dawn had proactively implemented this measure on April 1.
• PPE use – Surgical masks worn by all staff at all times, more frequent cleaning, physical distancing as much as possible.
• Screening all staff, residents and essential visitors at least twice a day.
• More aggressive testing as directed by public health.
• Updating outbreak management plans, including updated COVID-19 communication protocol to keep staff, residents and families informed as effectively as possible.
• Cohorting residents and staff – Our home (both residents and staff who serve them) is divided into the West and East wings to reduce risk of spread.
• Meals are now served in rooms (tray service), instead of the usual communal dining rooms.
A huge thank you to our staff and community!
First and foremost, we thank our staff members who have been diligently coming to work and providing the best care they can to our residents. Also, thank you to the community volunteers who stepped up to help with screening staff and essential visitors coming into the home, thank you to our Board of Directors for ongoing direction and support, and community partners for adapting with us to our current reality.
Over the past weeks, we have been so appreciative of all the local residents and community groups that have brought smiles to our faces and warmth to our hearts in this difficult time.
Thank you to everyone who has donated their time, funds and other gifts to make our staff and residents feel supported and appreciated. We especially thank everyone who has made noise in the parking lot and those who donated funds to help purchase additional iPads to help residents stay in touch with loved ones at this time when they are unable to visit.
How you can help:
1. Donate. If you would like to make a tax-deductible donation, mail a cheque to Golden Dawn, 80 Main St, Lion’s Head, ON N0H1W0. As a registered charitable organization, we will issue an official tax receipt for all donations of $20 or more. If you would like your donation earmarked for staff appreciation, residents or future redevelopment, please indicate this on a note with your donation, otherwise, it will go into our Donation Fund, and used where management and the Board see the greatest need.
2. Be patient, calm and kind. If you have called or sent an email, we’ll continue to respond as quickly as we can.
3. Only read and share information from trusted sources, such as the Peninsula Family Health Team, Grey Bruce Health Unit, Public Health Ontario, the Municipality or the Ontario government.
4. And most importantly, continue to follow direction from public health. Stay home, wash your hands well and often, practice physical distance and only go out for essential outings so we can continue to slow the spread.
For more information or for the latest updates, visit our dedicated COVID-19 page at goldendawn.ca or follow Golden Dawn Senior Citizens Home on Facebook. If you have any questions or concerns, email covid19@goldendawn.ca or call the home at 519-793-3433. Thanks again for all your support!
