COVID-19 update | March 18

Dear Aberlea community,

Further to my letter on March 16 regarding enhanced screening of visitors into our home, I can confirm that we will be temporarily implementing restricted visitation.

I note that these are challenging times for all, and please rest assured that we are doing everything within our power to limit the opportunity of COVID-19 affecting our home.  That being said, I thank you all ahead of time for your support in adhering to the below measures.

In order to allow for mandatory visitor screening and social distancing to be observed we will be reducing visiting hours.  Visiting hours will now be between 10am-12pm & 2pm-4pm.  As per Government guidelines no more than two visitors will be allowed at one time per resident and visits are to occur in individual rooms not in common areas.  Please also note the following groups are specifically excluded from entering:

• Anyone who has been overseas or in contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19 within a fortnight
• Anyone who has a fever or an acute respiratory illness and
• Anyone aged 16 and under

Upon attending Aberlea you will shortly find the front entrance locked.    Please ring the bell and a member of our care staff will greet you and assist you through the screening process.

Further to the above, resident activities programs will be modified to comply with the new entry restrictions.  Regrettably visits from the following groups will be suspended for the immediate future:

• Events involving community visitors
• External performers, entertainers, other social groups & volunteers
• Bus rides and other external social outings
• School Groups

Importantly residents who have appointments with external health providers will continue to have access to those appointments.

Positively, we are taking this opportunity to enhance and personalise our activities programs and will now be providing additional offerings.  We will focus on using outdoor spaces within the home as much as is possible and on smaller group activities.

We recognise that all our resident’s circumstances differ and that the above my impact on some more than others.  If that is the case, please contact Phil Irvine to discuss your individual needs.  We are committed to achieving the best outcome for each and every resident.

Finally, I ask you to seriously consider the purpose of your visit, and if some other form of communication would be possible.  We will happily facilitate phone and internet-based communication along with other methods.  Unfortunately, due to the nature of COVID-19 you may pass screening and still inadvertently be putting loved ones at risk.

To that end I have attached the screening questionnaire all visitors will be required to pass in order to gain entry.  If you have any doubts about answering or successfully completing this form, please call us in advance of your visit to discuss.

Finally, if you have any queries related to the above please contact either myself or Phil Irvine, Director of Care.

Kind Regards,

David Knight
Chief Executive Officer