Some long-term care homes in Renfrew County are starting to allow outdoor in-person visits. Director of Long-Term-Care for the County of Renfrew, Shelley Sheedy, says it’s been over three months since the province banned visits. She says staff have been creative setting up video-chats and window visits, but adds it’s just not the same.
Sheedy says setting up the outdoor visits is very labour intensive, but heartwarming to connect families after such a long time apart.
Sheedy says they have almost 350 residents at both Bonnechere Manor in Renfrew and Miramichi Lodge in Pembroke. She adds residents are screened twice a day and they will screen all visitors including temperature checks. Visitors will also be required to wear a mask and maintain a 2-meter distance.
Sheedy says they are happy to set up appointments and you can call the homes for more information. She says staff started the outdoor in-person meetings this week and are trying to limit them to 20-minutes.