Dear Resident or Family Member,

We remain committed to providing updates to our residents, families, and staff at AgeCare. We will be providing weekly updates to keep you all informed on what is happening at our community and organization-wide.

These weekly updates will include:

1. Information and announcements – this week we want to share some important tips for wearing non-medical masks.
2. Recreation highlights as the need to stay active, intellectually stimulated, and socially connected never ends.
3. A weekly shout-out to celebrate the great work and activities happening at our community.

These updates will be sent by Friday each week. We hope that you find these weekly updates helpful. Thank you all for your continued support.

Sincerely,

Barb Clark
Director of Care

Nasir Alibhai
General Manager

* Download Weekly Updates

Tips for Wearing Non-Medical Masks

Why use a mask

Canadians are encouraged to wear non-medical masks in public when it’s difficult to maintain physical distancing of 2-meters at all times.

Wearing a mask in public is another tool to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. It hasn’t been proven that masks protect the person wearing it, but it can help protect people from being exposed to your germs, even if you are asymptomatic (showing no symptoms).

Masks should complement – not replace – other prevention measures. Continue physical distancing and good hand hygiene and stay home when sick.

How to use a mask

Masks can become contaminated on the outside or when touched with hands. It’s important that masks are used and disposed of properly. If worn incorrectly, you can accidentally spread infection instead of preventing it. Guidance for wearing non-medical masks

Do

• Wash or sanitize your hands before putting it on, taking it off and after taking it off
• Tighten with ties or ear loops to reduce gaps
• Keep nose, mouth and chin covered at all times
• Remove if wet, torn or dirty and dispose in a lined garbage bin
• Store cloth masks in a sealed bag until it can be washed in hot, soapy water

Don’t

• Touch your face under the mask
• Touch the front of the mask – remove or adjust using the ties or ear loops
• Wear it under your nose or your chin
• Wear a wet, torn or dirty mask
• Wear the same mask for a long period of time – change when it becomes damp
• Share with another person

How to wear a mask

To learn how to properly wear a mask, follow the steps outlined here or watch this instructional video from Alberta’s Provincial Health Officer, Dr. Deena Hinshaw.

How to make or buy a mask

AgeCare will provide a disposable mask for residents who must leave the community for medical or other essential appointments. However, if you would like to make or buy a reusable mask, here are some options available to you.

Making a mask

There are many ways to make a cloth mask. Health Canada provides instructions with sewing and no-sewing options.

• Choose a fabric/cloth that can withstand frequent wash and drying cycles.
• Use multiple layers of tight woven fabric – 4 layers is optimal.
• Use a combination of fabrics such as a high thread count cotton (e.g. 600-thread count pillowcases and cotton sheets) with spun bond polyproplylene or polyester.
• Use different fabrics or colours for each side of the mask. This helps you to know which side faces your mouth and which side faces out.

Buying a mask

Watch this video for tips on how to choose the right mask when buying.

Masks should:

• have multiple layers of fabric
• fit securely against your face
• allow for clear breathing
• can be laundered

How to care for your reusable mask

• Store masks in a sealed, clean storage bag and place it in a dry area of your home.
• Put cloth masks directly into the washing machine or in a bag that can be emptied into the washing machine. Throw out the bag after you’ve used it to store masks.
• Launder with other items using a hot cycle, and then dry thoroughly.
• Inspect the mask for damage before reuse.

Information in this update on Masks is courtesy of the BC Centre of Disease & Control and the Government of Alberta

Recreation Highlights

The need to stay active, intellectually stimulated, and socially connected never ends – even during these unprecedented times. Our recreation team is working hard to create engaging activities to enrich the mind, body, and spirit, while ensuring residents can maintain appropriate physical distancing.

Recreation Highlights of the Week

• Download our highlights of the week from the recreation department (PDF).

Weekly Shout-Out

This week we are recognizing someone who has had a big impact during the pandemic.  Anna is the main contact for managing all outbreak reporting and swab results with Alberta Health Services. She has been on-call 24-hours a day for months. On top of that, she educates managers and staff about proper Personal Protective Equipment, such as masks, and cleaning procedures.  We are privileged to have her leading our pandemic team