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Visiting restrictions and the suspension of communal activities are among some of the measures being taken at retirement homes around the Coast to help stop the spread of Covid-19.
Large retirement villages, including Evelyn Page, Maygrove and the Hibiscus Coast Retirement Village all say they have pandemic plans in place and extensive infection control plans.
There are about 500 residents in the Evelyn Page Retirement Village in Orewa, which is owned by Ryman Healthcare. The company’s corporate affairs manager David King says preparations around Covid-19 started in January. This has included getting in extra supplies such as personal protection equipment, carrying out additional training and briefings, and making sure the home is “all set”.
New measures introduced last week included restricting all non-essential visits.
“We know that older people are the most vulnerable to the coronavirus and it is critical that we keep everyone safe,” Mr King says
“We are following Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern’s advice to restrict visitor access to villages, which we think is wise given the impact we have seen from the virus overseas.”
Other new measures include:
All visits to care centre residents by children are put on hold
All group activities within the villages – including happy hours and Triple A exercise classes – are suspended
All sporting and community events, including bowls and club meetings, are suspended
Mr Kings says the village is adding a security check-in at the village gates, in addition to the reception check. Once these are in place, all visitors will be required to check in at the gates and reception, including having temperature checks.
Metlifecare owns the Hibiscus Coast Retirement Village, in Red Beach, which has 320 independent living residents. Spokesperson Anna Murdoch says the village is well set-up to support residents who might need to self-isolate.
“We are initiating record keeping for all visitors to support public health officials should they need to track and trace any contacts,” Ms Murdoch says.
“All visitors to our villages are required to complete a declaration form to ensure they are well upon entering our villages, have not travelled overseas in the last 14 days and are not living with someone who is in self isolation
“We have also cancelled or postponed open days and events, which would see large groups of people visit our villages.”
Maygrove, also in Orewa, has a population of around 250 residents.
General manager operations Ruth Scandrett says anyone who is unwell or has returned from travelling overseas in the last 14 days is asked not to visit.
“Obviously this is a rapidly evolving situation and whatever information I give you now may be superseded as more information comes to hand or directives are given by the Ministry of Health,” Ms Scandrett says.
Like other retirement villages, all large communal activities have ceased.
