We're grateful to our staff, our residents and their family members for ongoing diligence in keeping us free from Covid-19.

Updates

29 July 2020

Since July 10, there have been almost 1000 safe visits with residents in our independent living and long term care centres! Thank you for your ongoing diligence in practicing social distancing, good hand hygiene, and respect for all residents when visiting.

VISITING GUIDELINES FOR OUR LONG TERM CARE CENTRES

VISITING GUIDELINES FOR OUR INDEPENDENT LIVING COMMUNITIES

Our Bria Buses and Bria Courtesy Shuttles are taking necessary precautions to ensure resident safety as they get back on the road. Social distancing, mask-wearing, and hand hygiene and sanitization are part of the protocol as we re-engage these services.

06 July 2020

Thanks to the provincial government’s decision to ease visiting restrictions in seniors communities and long term care centres, we are looking forward to many happy reunions!

Pending the finalization of the health and safety plan, Bria will begin to cautiously welcome visitors into our buildings as soon as Friday, July 10, 2020.

As our practices change, we will continue to ensure residents and families understand the risks of these visits, and their collective accountability and commitment to follow guidelines to minimize those risks for all. 

CLICK HERE FOR VISITING GUIDELINES IN OUR LONG TERM CARE CENTRES

INDEPENDENT LIVING INDOOR VISITOR GUIDELINES

  • Limit exposure to your loved one and their fellow residents, by keeping the number of visitors to a minimum.
  • Visitors will be welcome between 9 AM and 9 PM
  • The visitor must practice proper hand hygiene on arrival.
  • The visitor must fill out a digital health assessment at reception, and confirm successful completion before proceeding directly to the resident’s suite.
  • The visitor must wear a mask at all times during the visits. (Masks are not provided.)
  • Visits must be limited to the resident’s suites and visitors as asked not to linger in shared spaces. 
  • The visitor is encouraged to sanitize their loved one’s suite before leaving.

INDEPENDENT LIVING OUTDOOR VISITOR GUIDELINES

While visiting outdoors, please limit exposure to your loved ones and their fellow residents by diligently:

  • Maintaining two metres (6 feet) of distance.
  • Practicing proper hand hygiene on arrival.
  • Wearing a mask at all times.
  • Sanitizing visiting spaces before and after use. (Sanitizing supplies will be available in outdoor spaces.)

30 June 2020

Like many of you, we are pleased to hear Dr. Henry announce the province’s impending easing of restrictions for visitors to seniors in our long term care centres as well as independent living residences.

Changes for all Bria residences are underway; however, for now, previous essential visiting policies remain in place.

It will be several days before we will be able to create a plan that follows the provincial guidelines. We are working diligently to understand these new guidelines and to update protocols for staffing and best practices.

We continue to encourage outdoor social distancing visits in our courtyards and outdoor common spaces. Please allow two metres of social distancing, wear a mask, and sanitize areas that will be used by others.

Thank you for your patience! We anticipate having an updated visiting policy in place early next week.

As we strive to maintain the challenging balance of safety and quality of life, we understand that family members may have questions. Please reach out to us with questions, comments or concerns.

09 June 2020

We are aware that the Provincial government is currently exploring relaxing restrictions around visits in long term care centres as well as independent living communities. Like you, we are very much looking forward to welcoming more visitors in a safe and healthy way.

We will act quickly once decisions are made, and will share more information here as we receive it. Please be patient as we continue to navigate the process and protect your loved ones.

03 June 2020

We’re grateful to our staff, residents and their family members for ongoing diligence in keeping us free from Covid-19. As re-opening efforts continue around the province, we are cautiously making adjustments. 

Care Centre Update

Policies and protocols remain unchanged in light of the continued threat to our most vulnerable residents. 

Independent Living Updates

  • We continue to welcome essential visitors only and encourage residents to enjoy socially distant visits with family members in our outdoor spaces. 
  • Over the next two weeks, each of our homes will be re-opening dining rooms for lunch and dinner service. We’ve removed seating and tables to ensure two metres distance between each resident and between each table. And of course, we are thoroughly sanitizing between residents.
  • Hairdressers and Footcare nurses have returned to all our sites with new restrictions and limited clients. Residents have been delighted to enjoy these services again. 
  • Social activities from bingo to fitness classes, to social hour, have returned to our lounges with staff and residents diligently ensuring social distancing. 

19 May 2020

Thankfully, all our residences continue to be free of Covid-19.

As the provincial government lifts restrictions, and our General Managers and leadership team are tracking what this means for both our independent living and long term care centres. We will cautiously be making changes with residents’ best interests in mind.

Until further notice, we continue with our essential visitors only policy. If you wish to visit outdoors with your loved ones please continue to be diligent with social distancing.

07 May 2020

This weekend, we’re expecting a perfect storm of celebrations: sunshine, the loosening of provincial Covid-19 restrictions, and Mother’s Day. With this in mind, here’s an update on visiting protocol in our long term care centres and independent senior living communities.

VISITS WITH CARE CENTRE RESIDENTS

Through-the-gate or through-the-window visits are permitted providing:

  • the resident is asymptomatic and can follow the limitations which protect them from virus transmission 
  • visitors self-screen and only attend the site if asymptomatic 
  • physical distancing of two meters or greater can be strictly maintained 

To arrange a visit at The Waterford, call the nursing station: 604.948.4478

To arrange a visit at Magnolia Gardens email Recreation Coordinator Elayna Dijkman before Friday, May 8 at noon. 

VISITS WITH INDEPENDENT LIVING RESIDENTS

Our residents are part of a vulnerable population whose health and wellbeing require extra attentiveness. Also, as members of a congregate living situation, each residents’ health can directly impact the health of with whom they live.

Essential visitor protocol remains in place inside our buildings; however, residents are welcome to enjoy social distance visiting around our sites. Please be conscientious about other groups of visits and maintain social distance. 

With this in mind, we recommend:

  • Visit with family members in outdoor spaces. 
  • Maintain social distance
  • Lots of handwashing
  • Gather with no more than six family members only. 

04 May 2020

We’re pleased to report that we do not have any cases of Covid-19 in any of our Bria Communities properties.

This is the direct result of the ongoing hard work and unwavering commitment of our staff and leaders, as well as the best efforts of residents and you, their family members, to keep everyone healthy.

Mother’s Day is quickly approaching, and during the Covid-19 pandemic rather than taking Mom out for a family celebration, we’re asking that you let her stay in her home and instead find creative ways to show your love and appreciation Maintaining the health and safety of our seniors and staff is our top priority. Thank you for making this your priority too.

Here is a ‘how to’ video on you can make an inexpensive but high impact timed care package that will make your Mom, Grandma, or Great-Grandma feel special on Mother’s Day and beyond.

26 April 2020

In a communication to Long Term Care Centre, Assisted Living facilities, and Independent Living Communities, Fraser Health Authority updated its list of Covid-19 symptoms to include the following:

  • Fever
  • Cough
  • Sneezing
  • Sore throat
  • Shortness of breath
  • Fatigue
  • Aches and pains
  • Headaches
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea

If you discover your loved one has been experiencing any of these symptoms, please contact the GM of their residence or email us immediately.

Any staff who experience these symptoms have been ordered to connect with a screening centre and stay home while waiting for test results.

24 April 2020

We are thankful to report that we remain Covid-19 free.

Our leaders and staff continue to comply and adapt to orders from the BC Public Health Office and Fraser Health with regards to personal protective equipment and staffing and symptoms related to Covid-19.

14 April 2020

Thanks to the diligence of staff, residents, and family members, we are still COVID-19 free!

Care Centre Update

  • Our supplies of personal protective equipment (PPE) are stable, and we continue to find sources to fill gaps. 
  • Staff at our Care Centres are wearing surgical masks when they have up-close contact with residents, and cloth masks the rest of the time.
  • We continue to be adaptive to Fraser Health orders regarding staffing. 

Independent Living Update

  • Over the Easter weekend, there were lots of smiles on residents’ faces in the midst of many social distant and responsible gatherings of family members, as well as some visits from the Easter Bunny. 
  • As the weeks go on, it is easy for residents and staff to let down their guard with regards to social distancing. Our leaders are working with all four sites to support healthy social interaction, and at the same time, encourage vigilance. Please remind your loved ones to be safe and keep two metres distance between themselves and other residents. 

07 April 2020

Bria Communities continues to be COVID-19 free!

Our staff, residents, and you, their family members, have worked hard and made sacrifices to accomplish this. And the work isn’t done. We must all stay on high alert to protect our seniors and flatten the curve.

Easter is coming, and many of you have asked if loved ones in our independent living communities are free to leave the building to celebrate with family members. 

We recommend that residents not attend social functions with family members this Easter. These gatherings, even among close family members, put all our residents and staff in danger. 

This is a difficult sacrifice for everyone; we know our residents are feeling it, as are you. If you’re looking for a way to connect with your loved one and make the Easter season special, check out this video with four safe and meaningful ways to do so.

31 March 2020

Each day, Bria leaders monitor updates from the Federal and Provincial Governments, BC Centre of Disease Control, and the World Health Organization.

We will update this space as necessary with any changes and information that directly affect seniors living in Bria Communities Independent Living communities and our Care Centres.

30 March 2020

A MESSAGE FROM BRIA COMMUNITIES DIRECTOR, TANYA SNOW

In the last few weeks, we’ve experienced a huge shift in our lives. Our staff teams are working vigilantly to support and care for your loved ones in our independent living residences and Care Centres. I’m closely connected with several other independent living and care providers throughout BC, and with our provincial associations as well, so I can bring back to you the updated issues, topics and answers.

Now is the time when we can get a bit stir crazy, find shortcuts, and aren’t glued to the news as much as we were two weeks ago. But now is the critical time to ensure we continue to socially distance ourselves, do proper hand hygiene, and monitor our health. If we slip in any of these areas, this pandemic will start to spike again vs level off. Please continue to be diligent and encourage your loved ones to be diligent.

Bria Communities has not had any staff or residents who have tested positive for Covid-19, so let’s keep it that way!

28 March 2020

Over the weekend Bria leaders will monitor updates from the Federal and Provincial Governments, BC Centre of Disease Control and World Health organization. Changes and updates that directly affect Bria Communities Independent Living seniors residences and Care Centres will be be handled immediately and updates will appear here. 

27 March 2020

In our Care Centres:

We are complying with all current Provincial Health Office and Health Authority Chief Medical Officer orders to limit staff movement between licesnsed long term care homes.

In our Independent Living Communities

We continue to work with Fraser Health and private care providers to eliminate staff providing non-essential care services in our residences. We are also working with them to reduce to the furthest extent possible, the number of home support staff coming into our communities without compromising the needs of the seniors we serve.

26 March 2020

  • Residents at The Wexford
  • Resident Walking at The Waterford
  • Ice Cream Delivery at The Waterford
  • Staff at Sunridge Gardens

Long days inside can be challenging for residents, our recreation teams are working hard to engage and encourage residents who are self-isolating as well as those who are spending time in responsibly in communal spaces.

• Residents at The Waterford got a visit from the Ice Cream Cart going door to door

• Magnolia Gardens residents are participating in Hallway and Courtyard Walking Clubs with lots of space between each walker.

• At The Wexford, one resident is leading Tai Chi in the main lounge for others to join in—with lots of space in between.

• Sunridge Gardens residents are golfing, knitting, colouring and chatting in the lounge while keeping appropriate social distance. 

Follow our Facebook Pages: Magnolia Gardens, Sunridge Gardens, The Waterford and The Wexford for regular posts about resident life. 

We Are Hiring

As expected, some of our staff have been self-isolating and quarantined, leaving gaps in our workforce. We are strategizing solutions with our parent company Century Group to cover hospitality, housekeeping, recreation, and kitchen team gaps in Langley and South Delta. Visit BriaCareers for more information and to apply opportunities in our seniors retirement living residences.

25 March 2020

We’re incredibly proud of our staff! They approach the challenges that the coronavirus brings each day with flexibility, meticulous safety, and a deep commitment to resident health, comfort, and support.

The world is celebrating essential service workers like our staff. Many of you have expressed appreciation for our teams and want to know how you can support us as we care for your loved ones. 

Five ways your can support our staff team

  • Stay home. Keep our staff, residents and yourself safe by staying away.
  • Send an email or a video. Share your thanks via email at Hello@BriaCommunities.ca. Make sure you mention who your loved one is and which residence they are in. We’ll make sure the message gets through to the staff there. 
  • Write a note/card/poster/painting and tape it facing into the exterior windows by our front door or along resident lounge. 
  • Write a Google Review or a Facebook Review. These reviews build public confidence which is very helpful in these challenging times.
  • If you have access to masks, hand sanitizer, sanitizing wipes, feel free to share!

24 March 2020

To provide the highest level of safety for residents, within the next 24 hours, all our seniors living communities will shift to providing room service for each resident at lunch and dinner. We are adapting menus and staffing to ensure residents enjoy excellent meals in the safety of their suites.

Our continental Bria Breakfast will still be available in the Bria Bistro. Food will be individually wrapped, and we will serve drinks in to-go cups. This is a grab and go situation, and we’re not encouraging residents to linger in the Bistro.

Many residents are already self-isolating for their protection. Please encourage your loved ones to use the utmost caution if they choose to leave the building. If they are walking, remind them to maintain appropriate social distance and discourage them from going into public spaces.

23 March 2020

Care Centres:

In compliance with a recent BC Public Health Act court order the following measures are going into effect:

All non-medical external visitors are restricted

Staff will be screened twice a day.

Residents will be screen twice a day

Recreation activities will ensure 2m of distancing

Recreation staff who work between Care Centres and Independent Living will now be restricted to only one

Independent Living Communities:

  • Third-party care providers must comply with twice-a-day screening.
  • Footcare nurses are suspended.
  • We are NOT suspending pharmacy visits for medication administration, but asking pharmacies to drop off vs. deliver medication.
  • Non-medical external trips in our courtesy shuttle are suspended. The Courtesy Shuttle drivers will be available to run errands on behalf of residents. Ask at the front desk for more details.
  • Social hour gatherings are stopped completely unless social distancing can be observed.
  • Outings on our Bria Bus will happen if social distancing can be observed.
  • Housekeeping services are being re-evaluated to maximize safety or each resident.
  • Meals are still being served in compliance with public health restrictions; however, we anticipate moving to in-room meal service for the health and safety of residents.
  • Move-ins and move-outs are essential as we seek to provide a safe and healthy living environment for seniors. The following conditions apply:
    • Move-in/out must happen in low traffic hours 
    • Move-ins will have active screening at a minimum 6 hours before moving in to ensure no symptoms are present.
    • One elevator will be locked off for the specific use of movers
    • Cleaning and disinfecting will happen before and after move-in/move-out
    • Tours are still be hosting with heavy screening as well as limited building access. In this season, many seniors and their loved ones are looking for safe, healthy and connected communities, and we will be making ourselves available while taking the utmost precaution. 

21 March 2020

Ways to Connect with Your Loved Ones in our Communities

For the health and safety of our residents were encouraging essential visitors only in our residences. Here are four ways you can connect with your family members:

  • Video Calls. Recreation teams have iPads for the exclusive use of video calls with residents. These teams will be happy to assist you in connecting with your loved on via video. Click the following links to send an email and arrange a video chat with your loved one. Magnolia Gardens, Sunridge Gardens, The Waterford, The Wexford.
  • Send a pre-recorded video. Make a video to share with your loved one and email it or post it on YouTube and send us the link. The recreation staff will be thrilled to share it with your loved one and will help them make a video to send back.

20 March 2020

Your assistance in monitoring the health of your loved one living in our communities is exceptionally helpful. Please use this online, interactive self-assessment tool provided by the BC government to check in with your loved one each day. If you notice a change in health and symptoms associated with Covid-19 follow the instructions on the site and inform the General Manager immediately.

Residents in our independent living sites may use this tool to assess themselves daily, and if identified as needing further support to do this, Bria staff will assist them.

In accordance with new provincial licensing guidelines, we have implemented active screening for staff before they start a shift in our Care Centres as well as enhanced daily screening of residents.

19 March 2020

Self-monitoring for potential illness is crucial to prevent the spread of Covid-19.  If you would like to support you loved one to self-monitor for symptoms remotely, please use this link to the online provincial self-assessment tool. 

Thank you for your ongoing support and understanding as we navigate through these challenging times.

18 March 2020

The following updates have been added to our health and safety precautions:

Essential visitors / Care providers / Companions are welcome in the building (provided they meet screening criteria) for physical and mental health requirements for the individual resident. Care providers/companions are not welcome in common spaces. If it is essential, then social distance is required. Our Care Centres will use their discretion as to what constitutes essential service. ). More information about this is available from the BC Centre of Disease Control.

Take a pen and keep it: Reception will encourage essential visitors signing in to take a Bria pen and keep it with them, so they aren’t using a communal pen.

Hairdressers: Our salons are closed as hairdressers have been told by their association to stop all hair service.

Foot Care:  Foot care nurses are still welcome; however, estheticians are not. 

Breakfast/Bistros: A broad range of breakfast items will be individually wrapped for resident consumption. 

Move-ins /outs: Continue as usual with ensuring movers are maybe doing so in the less busy times;

Tours: Tours are part of the essential health of our business and, for the time being, will continue. The community relations staff member will meet touring individuals at the front desk, confirm they meet screening standards, and ensure hand hygiene. There will be no contact with residents, and common areas will not be included in the tour.  

Contractors/projects:  Outdoor projects and room turnovers that see workers isolated in a suite will continue; no common area work unless an emergency

17 March 2020

The Magnolia Gardens and Waterford Care Centres are closed to visitors. We are allowing essential visits only. For more information, contact the Directors of Care:

Magnolia Gardens Care Centre Director of Care: Sue Wilson
The Waterford Care Centre Director of Care: Lara Faras

16 March 2020

We are asking non-essential visitors to stay away from Bria Communities at this time.

We encourage families and friends to make phone calls and use technology to reach out to their loved ones. Staff will support residents and family members who wish to Facetime or Skype with their family members.

Family members, caregivers or friends who are caring for or supporting a loved one with daily personal needs are considered essential.

Effective today, we will also not be allowing guests in the dining room and private dining room. If essential guests are visiting, they may have a meal in the resident’s suite.

Staff are encouraged to continue monitoring their health, even if they have NOT been out of the country and to use this BC Centre for Disease Control resource to identify symptoms.

We have adjusted food service to avoid having groups of more than 50 gathered together during meal times. Each Bria community will have a different approach to accomplishing this objective, given space and staffing.

Reception staff will ensure essential visitors continue their hand hygiene and have read and answered ‘no’ to the following screening questions:

  1. Have you travelled outside of Canada recently?
  2. Do you have flu-like symptoms, new cough or fever
  3. Is there any potential contact with a positive case.

We have ordered infra-red thermometers and reception will begin to use these to screen all essential visitors.

Private tours may continue. Community relations staff will greet any person who wants a tour personally at the front door and ensure they meet screening specifications. Those who are touring will hand sanitize and not have any contact with any residents.

We encourage everyone to stay up to date with information from the Centre for Disease Control

Thank you for continuing to work with us to keep residents safe and healthy.

15 March 2020

The health and safety of our residents are of utmost importance in the midst of this challenging time.

The flu can be deadly for seniors, and as a result, each year, flu season precautions go in effect at each of our residences and outbreak management protocol gets implemented with speed and precision. In the face of COVID-19, we are leaning into our training and guidelines.

Bria Communities is committed to ensuring the implementation of all appropriate measures during an outbreak situation. This includes: increased visitor screening, monitoring external caregivers and asking them to limit visits to resident suites, increased diligence in cleaning and disinfecting common areas, and asking residents to self-isolate and report to a staff member if they are feeling ill.

We are actively connecting with the Provincial Medical Health Officer and the BC Centre for Disease Control and responding to new measures with agility, professionalism and speed to ever-increasing safety measures.

14 March 2020

Implementation of the following enhanced precautions:

Culinary Services:

  • The main dining rooms are closed to any outside guests. 
  • The private dining room may be booked at this time, but guests need to go directly there or to/from the resident’s suite. 
  • Arrange for meals in rooms for anyone who doesn’t wish to dine communally or is unwell.
  • Servers are not to be wearing gloves as they can increase virus transmission from one resident to another.

Recreation:

  • All external entertainment is cancelled. 
  • Bus trips limited to outdoor areas like the beach, a park or scenic drives. We are providing programs that offer some social distancing. 

We strongly discourage more independent residents going out into crowded areas such as casinos, theatres etc. 

Reception:

Before allowing entry, all receptionists screen each individual who buzzes/calls in to confirmed they answer no to all the following questions (posted prominently on the door)

 1. Any travel outside of Canada

 2. Any flu-like symptoms, new cough or fever

 3. Any potential contact with a positive case. 

All guests must continue to sign in / out and complete hand hygiene.

Housekeeping:

  • Continue the enhanced cleaning of commonly touched surfaces such as reception desks, handrails, main entrance door handles, elevator buttons etc.
  • Do not wear gloves around the community, if you need to wear gloves for some reason, dispose of them as you leave a suite and perform hand hygiene.

Community Relations:

Tours may only proceed if the person(s) has said no to the above questions. Meetings/sit-downs should occur in private spaces. There is no “stay for a meal” at this time.

Third-Party Care Providers in Independent Living

General Managers will ensure these individuals are not congregating in common areas. External care providers are to go to the resident suites and perform their work and leave. If they are doing cluster care, they must take any breaks in their designated areas provided for them.

Pharmacies in Independent Living

If any pharmacies are providing medication assistance to any Independent Living residents, they must continue to do so by going right to the suite and leaving. We do not do any medication administration.

Supplies:

General Managers review outbreak management supplies and place orders for additional supplies.

Other:

Residents who have cold or flu symptoms should self isolate. General Managers should contact Public Health or 811 if they believe someone needs testing, and they are unable to have family support them. 

Continue to encourage good hand hygiene and use of hand sanitizer.

NEXT STAGE:

We are prepared for further restrictions which may include cancelling all group recreation, closing bistro and dining rooms, and closing our doors to all visitors unless there is an end of life situation. 

09 March 2020

The following information was shared in an internal communication with staff and through email to residents and their family members.

Bria Communities is committed to ensuring all appropriate measures are implemented during any outbreak situation. As we listen to the daily news regarding updates on the COVID-19 (Novel coronavirus) and hear how it is spreading across the world, it is normal to have questions, fears and concerns. The leadership of Bria Communities is actively connected with the Health Authorities and the BC Centre for Disease Control to get the correct and up to date information, from the experts, to share with you.

Currently, the risk of COVID-19 impacting Bria Communities remains low. However, we need to continue our due diligence to ensure it stays that way.

As usual, all staff must report any illness to their manager immediately and all staff must ensure they continue with proper hand hygiene, ideally warm soapy water on a regular basis.  

As usual, any resident who experiences illness will self isolate or will be sent to acute care for medical treatment if needed.

Staff should not be wearing masks or gloves unless they are part of the normal PPE they would wear for their job. No one, should be walking around the communities wearing gloves.

Advanced Steps in place:

As many of the residents have external caregivers coming into visit and provide services to them,. We will be posting different notices at Reception where visitors sign in, ensuring they do not visit if they are unwell or have had the potential to be exposed. We will ask them to limit their visits to the resident suites only.

Any staff who have travelled recently to China, Hong Kong, Iran, Japan, Northern Italy, Singapore or South Korea or who are in close contact with someone who has been to these areas should contact their health professional to self-report.  

Housekeeping staff will “up” the common touch area cleaning, such as handrails, door handles, elevator buttons, common washrooms etc.

Bria Communities will be limiting any larger outside community gatherings within the Bria Sites, but internal programs and events will continue for the time being.

If we experience anything close to an outbreak situation, we are guided by the public health experts, who will provide us with any additional measures needed to be taken over and above our existing outbreak protocols.

Thank you all for keeping healthy and protecting the vulnerable seniors we serve.  

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