Northern Health relays the protocols for Seniors Residences across the Northwest

Prince Rupert's Acropolis Manor is one of many BC Seniors./Elders
facilities that currently are not allowing visitation owing to COVID 19
(photo from Northern Health)

While relatives of those seniors who currently live in facilities across the province await further guidance from the province as to the path ahead for access to their loved ones, the Health Authority for Northern British Columbia is providing an update on the latest measures in place to protect those members of our society who are at the most risk from the COVID pandemic.

In their update from last week, Northern Health provided the latest notes on care for seniors and elders in long term care and assisted living facilities.

As part of their relay of information, Northern Health noted how many residents in long-term care homes have significant health conditions and are at a much higher risk of developing more severe illness or complications from COVID-19 and are less likely to recover. 

Health officials also called attention to the speed at which the virus could spread through a facility if one resident is infected, putting all residents at risk.

It’s for these reasons that there continue to be significant limitations on visiting long-term care homes and assisted living facilities even though other areas are increasing socialization activities.

And as the daily accounts from Doctor Bonnie Henry and Health Minister Adrian Dix remind us, our seniors and elders have indeed borne the brunt of the COVID-19 pandemic, suffering the largest number of the 169 passings to date.

And while family and friends may yet have limitations on visitation in place, the movement of seniors and elders into those facilities continues, with Northern Health outlining the process currently in place to make the transition from hospital to care facility as seamless as possible.

The update, which you can review here, provides a look at the requirement prior to the move and how the residents will be cared for once the move is complete, along with the reminder of the current limitations that are in place.

The information update also provides for a range of links for family members to follow up on for the latest updates on quality of care for our seniors and elders.

You can learn more about Prince Rupert's Long Term Care facility Acropolis Manor here.

For more notes on Northern Health see our archive page here.