AgeCare Valleyview Medicine Hat (photo courtesy Ross Lavigne)

By Chantal Wagner

continuing care

Visiting restrictions for loved ones during COVID-19

May 11, 2020 | 4:22 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – Visits -or a lack of visits – at care facilities have looked a little different over the last couple of months to protect vulnerable patients during the pandemic.

Recreation Manager at Age Care Valleyview Debbie Jesse says residents are allowed to have three visitors.

They must be over 18 years old, be wearing a mask, and sanitize.

Visits are 30 minutes and take place outside in the patio area while physical distancing.

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She says they are also starting to get more phone calls from families now that in-person visits are allowed as of last month.

Jesse says allowing in-person visits have been great for resident’s mental health and well-being.

“It’s been quite a challenge coming up with different types of recreational activities and people are starting to get a little depressed because they can’t see their loved ones. So it’s helping them to see that there’s light at the end of the tunnel kind of thing. And we’ve also been doing lots of virtual visits more than we’ve ever done.”

Jesse says visitors cannot enter the building, residents will be brought outside.

And no gifts are allowed unless it’s essential which will then be sanitized.

Visits are also monitored by staff to make sure public health rules are being followed.

Meantime, Age Care Valleyview held a drive-by parade on Friday, May 8 so family members could see their loved ones ahead of Mother’s Day weekend.

Jesse says it was emotional to see everyone that came.

“It has been a challenging time for everybody but people are understanding. Residents missing their entertainment and being able to go out.”

She adds, some residents don’t quite understand the whole situation of the virus and physical distancing but they are helping residents with virtual visits with FaceTime and phone calls.

AHS (COVID-19) Information for People Visiting Residents & Patients