COVID-19 is still a threat to our community. The Care Centre remains vulnerable, particularly in light of the asymptomatic nature of the virus and uncertain vaccine roll-out. To help prevent re-entry of the virus to the Care Centre, the Three Links Leadership Team will:

• Adopt outbreak measures with Vancouver Coastal Health (PPE training, screening, staffing)
• Advocate for vaccine access and rapid testing
• Implement safe return of resident services (bathing,  meals, social visits, recreation, art, music and occupational therapy)
• Maintain ongoing communication with families
• Accelerate staff recruiting and retention
• Initiate various site improvements (elevator replacement, screening, break rooms, communication carts, hand sanitization,
• PPE distribution, waste disposal, site animation)
• Reconcile outbreak expenses with Vancouver Coastal Health to maintain financial stability

In addition to maintaining enhanced infection control practices and the safe return of key resident services, the Three Links Leadership Team and Wellness Committee, with our Family Advisory Council, will implement a series of measures that build on existing programs, including:

• Mental health and grief counselling
• Story-telling and experience sharing
• Implement safe return of resident services (spiritual care, podiatrist, dental hygienist, optometrist)
• Expand family access and social visits in association with evolving public health orders
• Initiate continuous quality improvement (CQI) review of pandemic and outbreak response
• Memorial planning and celebrations of life for residents who passed away during outbreak
• Team recognition and staff recruiting
• Assess technology solutions to promote effective communication and infection control practices.

Three Links will implement a continuous quality improvement (CQI) review of pandemic and outbreak planning.

This inclusive process will reflect feedback from all stakeholders, strengthen infection control measures and inform Three Links strategic planning priorities.

In addition, the Leadership Team and Wellness Committee, with our Family Advisory Council, will:

• Maintain enhanced infection control, wellness, and engagement practices
• Organize team recognition events, tributes and resident memorial
• Renew recreation program, care model and site improvements in association with CQI review
• Complete Care Centre elevator replacement.

Based on current projections, this phase will likely coincide with the completion of public COVID-19 vaccination programs and various emergency public health orders. Informed by the CQI review, the Three Links Leadership Team will:

• Maintain enhanced infection control, wellness, engagement and quality of life improvements
• Facilitate a strategic planning consultation with all stakeholders to shape the Care Centre’s future development
• Organize special celebration events for staff, residents and families, along with a Thank You for community partners
• Plan one-year memorials for residents lost during the outbreak