The spread of COVID-19, the novel coronavirus, has been constantly in the news – including images of desperate cruise ship passengers, quarantined at sea.
Health officials are now recommending that seniors and anyone with underlying health issues avoid taking a cruise; the risks of infection and serious complications are too great.
Holland Gardens retirement residence has found a way to capture the joys of cruising, while avoiding the dangers.
This is ‘Cruise Week’ at the retirement residence in Bradford – a week of activities that include crafts, tropical culinary creations, and entertainment.
Residents have been invited to learn how to tie nautical knots, make shell-decorated picture frames, and share their favourite travel photos from earlier trips around the globe.
And on Tuesday night, Holland Gardens threw a Beach Party, with floral leis, live entertainment, dancing, tropical snacks, and plenty of pina coladas topped with paper parasols.
Holland Gardens is taking special steps to ensure its residents stay healthy, amid rising COVID-19 fears. A hand sanitizer station is now located prominently in front of the main doors, and visitors, when they sign in, are screened by staff.
Visitors and any returning residents are asked to fill out a questionnaire. The questions cover any recent travel, respiratory or other health issues, and whether the person is experiencing fever, a cough, or difficulty breathing – all symptoms of COVID-19.
Anyone who answers “Yes” to any of the questions is asked to refrain from visiting.
A statement issued by Shelley Snoulten, Sales & Marketing Manager at Holland Gardens, noted, “The health and well-being of our residents and their families is of the utmost importance. With respect to the current COVID-19 virus, we have implemented prescreening for all our visitors, volunteers and external care providers.”
The statement went on to note, “All hospitals and long-term care centres are doing this, and we have taken the initiative as well,” and will continue to respond as the situation evolves, with additional protocols and preparations.
In addition, Snoulten said, “We actively promote hand washing and have held forums with our residents to discuss proper techniques… All of our public spaces have heightened cleaning protocols.”
And to be prepared, she added, “We are stocked with personal protective equipment,” from masks to gloves.
It’s a similar story at The Elden of Bradford retirement residence, located on Sideroad 10.
“For all visitors to The Elden, we have posted a notice at all entrances, and our concierge staff have been instructed to inquire if the visitor has traveled to any of the highly-impacted countries within the last two weeks, or has recently travelled on a cruise ship,” noted Jaime Robertson, Sales & Marketing Manager. “If so, we ask that they refrain from visiting for 2 weeks, and only return if they remain symptom-free.”
Following the recommendations of the Ministry of Health and the Retirement Homes Regulatory Authority (RHRA), the residence is now implementing active screening protocols.
In an advisory issued on March 10, the RHRA advises screening visitors, resident admissions and readmissions, and self-monitoring by staff. Staff members with symptoms are told not to come in to work, but to stay home – and advise the residence of their condition.
“We have also been encouraging good hand-washing regimes, and keep hand-sanitizer at all elevators,” Robertson noted. “In addition, we have implemented a housekeeping routine to sanitize public area door handles, elevator buttons, etc. every two hours.”
The retirement residence has already stocked up on disposable dishes, gowns and gloves – just in case.
"If a resident presents with active symptoms, they will immediately be quarantined in their suite," with full support from the facility, said Robertson. "We would also suspend group activities if required."
But there is no panic. For now, with pre-screening in place and heightened vigilance, planned group activities are going ahead – which means, that at Holland Gardens, residents will keep on cruising.
