March 6, 2021
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Please note that our next Family Town Hall will be on Thursday, March 18 at 6:30pm.
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Thank you to Paramount Foods and SEIU Healthcare for a special food delivery last week for our unionized staff. Click here for photos.
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Our residents were thrilled to receive Valentine’s Day cards from the community. Click here for photos.
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Construction around Copernicus Lodge
There will be construction around Copernicus Lodge that is being led by the City of Toronto and the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC). The work began on Feb. 12 and will take place Mondays through Fridays from 7am to 7pm with additional hours as needed. The work is tentatively expected to end in the fall of 2022.
This work is required to bring the TTC and City's infrastructure to a state of good repair and improve intersection function for all road users. We expect noise as a result of the construction, and this will be communicated to the Resident’s Council so that residents are aware.
What does this mean for families and staff?
- The 501 / 301 Queen and 504 King streetcars have been replaced with bus services, presently operating through the King Street West, Queen Street West, The Queensway and Roncesvalles Avenue (KQQR) Intersection area. Visit ttc.ca for further details.
- During the work being done by TTC night crews, 501 / 301 Queen and 504 King replacement bus service will be maintained through the moving work zone with lane restrictions.
- Sidewalks will remain open at all times
- One lane of traffic in each direction approaching the KQQR intersection and along The Queensway will be maintained for vehicles and cyclists
- Unauthorized parking is not allowed in active work zone.
For more information, please visit the City of Toronto’s website. For questions related to the construction please contact Michal Kwadrans in Communications at 416-536-7122 ext. 277.
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Voluntary Management Agreement with Unity Health Toronto (updated Feb. 26)
Effective Jan. 11, Unity Health Toronto has taken over responsibility to temporarily manage Copernicus Lodge under a Voluntary Management Agreement with Ontario’s Ministry of Long-Term Care. Unity Health's temporary management of Copernicus Lodge is limited to the long-term care home and does not include oversight of the senior apartments. For more information click here.
Our immediate focus will be to continue to help support the home and Toronto Public Health in the management of the COVID-19 outbreak that started Dec. 16, 2020 and was declared over on Feb. 26, 2021. Unity Health is also responsible for delivering the COVID-19 vaccine to all consenting staff and residents at Copernicus.
Over the next few months, a team from Unity Health Toronto will be at Copernicus to assess needs, continue improvements around infection, prevention and control and quality and safety processes. We are pleased to be working with the home’s leadership and staff as it continues to build its services and create an environment that meets the needs of all residents in a dignified and safe community. The safety and the delivery of quality care to Copernicus Lodge’s residents are our shared priorities.
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Essential Care Providers Visits Update – Updated Feb. 26, 2021
There is no general visiting at this time. Essential caregiver (ECG) visits continue during the ongoing outbreak of COVID-19
Essential caregivers are those who are providing direct care to the resident (e.g. supporting feeding, mobility, personal hygiene, cognitive stimulation, communication, meaningful connection, relational continuity and assistance in decision-making).
During this time, one caregiver may visit a resident in their room between 8am and 9pm daily. There are no time limits for the duration of your visits, but we are not able to manage visitors between the hours of 9pm and 8am. There is a limit of one essential caregiver per resident room.
Beginning Monday, Mar. 1, registered essential caregivers will not be required to call the receptionist to book in their time in advance. The entrance screeners have a list of our registered Essential Caregivers who are permitted in the building. Entrance Screeners will continue to track visits as they occur and check for negative test results as part of their active screening at the entrance. Please review our updated Infection Control Protocols here.
To prepare for your first visit, and once monthly thereafter, please familiarize yourselves with the following materials:
Guidance document: Recommended Steps: Guidance document: Putting on Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Video: Putting on Full Personal Protective Equipment
Video: Taking off Full Personal Protective Equipment
Video: How to Hand Wash
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Schedule a Virtual Visit with a Long-Term Care Resident
Click here to schedule a virtual visit with a long-term care resident.
For questions related to scheduled calls/visits, please call Rasheeda Headley, Programs & Services Manager, at 416-536-7122 ext. #253.
Virtual visits are helping to keep you and your loved one connected. When scheduling your next virtual visit by using our online booking process, please remember to provide us with the planform link you plan to connect through (Zoom/Teams/Facebook etc..) because it helps our teams to better facilitate your visit.
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The Self-Care Apartment Building at Copernicus Lodge
The Self-Care Apartment Building at Copernicus Lodge is COVID-19 free. Every tenant and visitor including LHIN staff providing services to tenants will be screened entering Copernicus Lodge as a directive from Toronto Public Health. Visitors to apartment tenants MUST wear a mask and wash their hands. Families of self-care residents are encouraged to remind self-care residents also to wear their masks in all public areas of the home pursuant to Toronto by-laws.
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To contact a member of our staff:
Please click here or communications@copernicuslodge.com
For the most up to date information on COVID-19, please visit:
City of Toronto Response to COVID-19
