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7 | The IFP -H alton H ills | T hursday,A pril 30,2020 theifp.ca • Dementia Care • Personal Care • Hospital to Home • Companionship / Transportation • Housekeeping / Meal Preparation • Respite Care • Live-In / 24 Hour Care • Flexible Shifts • Screened, Bonded & Trained Staff • Available 24 / 7 Home Care For Seniors HALTON HILLS - MILTON • 905-877-2999 / 519-760-3408 Comfort Keepers® Senior Care As COVID-19 takes a ma- jor toll on long-term care homes around the prov- ince, Georgetown's Ben- nett Health Care Centre is doing everything possible to keep the virus out of its facility. So far, the centre that's adjacent to the George- town Hospital has had no cases of coronavirus in its staff or residents, says ex- ecutive director Soo Wong. "The staff have been working around the clock to keep this home safe and clean," she said. "We're working very hard to stop this bug." Along with additional cleaning measures, the non-profit centre that's governed by a volunteer board of directors is also stringently screening staff daily to ensure the virus isn't introduced into the fa- cility. "They get tested at the front door. The first thing we do is take their tempera- ture," explained Wong. After that, each staff member is asked a series of questions about any symp- toms they may have or if they've been in contact with someone who has travelled. Once they're given the all clear, they're provided with two surgical masks and a brown bag to put their mask in during breaks. "These surgical masks are used everywhere in the home. You can't even go to the photocopier (without one)," said Wong. "If they need more than two masks, they can also get more." The new normal for Bennett Centre staff in- cludes daily COVID-19 briefings from Wong, who also joins senior manage- ment for a weekly telecon- ference with families of residents and weekly meet- ings with the board of di- rectors. The facility implement- ed its pandemic plan on March 8, when visitors were no longer allowed in the building. By March 26, it was decided that staff who work at more than one facility can no longer do so to prevent potential spread of the virus. "We were very clear that during this pandemic, staff has to choose loyalty," said Wong. "It's a safety issue not just for the residents, but also the staff." If coronavirus does find its way into the facility, she said they're ready to acti- vate a plan and strict infec- tion control protocol to pre- vent the spread within the building. "We're ready for that war," she said, noting the centre is fully stocked with ample protective gear and N95 masks. "We can not be compla- cent." Board chair Brian Clark added the measures could include locking down ei- ther the north or south wing of the building to pro- tect residents. The daily routine is cur- rently looking a bit differ- ent for the facility's 66 resi- dents, who are now eating meals in their rooms. "I can't always go out of the room when I want to, but that's OK," said Laura Haley Boudreau, who's lived at the centre since 2014 and serves as presi- dent of the Bennett Village Resident Council. "The nurses are all good to me here and I love it. It's my home." The 87-year old has en- joyed a couple window vis- its with her family so far, along with special phone calls, cards and gifts for her birthday on April 28. She's been passing the time in her room with crossword puzzles and cro- cheting blankets. "I'm on my 34th blan- ket," she said. "I have seven children and they all got a blanket, and my grandchil- dren all did too." The Bennett Centre is also using video chat plat- forms to keep their resi- dents in touch with loved ones. "We're Facetiming or Skyping every day," said Jim Richards, whose 88- year-old mother Donna lives at the facility. "The recreation staff has been wonderful at keeping us in touch. We feel safe with her there." BENNETT CENTRE ADAPTING TO PANDEMIC REALITIES Laura Haley Boudreau says she's passing the extra time in her room at the Bennett Centre with crossword puzzles and crocheting blankets. Bennett Centre photo MELANIE HENNESSEY mhennessey@ metroland.com NEWS LONG-TERM CARE FACILITY HELPING #KEEPSENIORSSAFE FROM CORONAVIRUS "We're Facetiming or Skyping every day, The recreation staff has been wonderful at keeping us in touch. We feel safe with her there." - Jim Richards