COVID outbreaks declared at Regina care homes

The Saskatchewan Health Authority has declared COVID-19 outbreaks at three seniors care homes in Regina since Nov. 15.

The outbreaks were declared at the Santa Maria Senior Citizens Home and Parkside Extendicare on Friday. Both of those are affiliates of the Regina Qu’Appelle Health Region.

On Nov. 15, an outbreak was declared at the Revera Green Falls Landing assisted living facility, a privately owned home.

An outbreak is defined as at least two cases. 980 CJME has reached out to all three homes for specific numbers, but has not yet received a response.

Other homes respond

Other care homes which have not seen outbreaks are concerned about the news.

Mike Chapple, one of the owners of Dove House in Regina, said the effect of the pandemic has been devastating even though there haven’t been any cases at his facility.

“This has kind of gone from a job where you come in every day, you’re happy, you love what you do (and) you don’t really have too many worries in the world. Now, you’re just sitting on pins and needles,” he said.

He’s concerned about the health of his residents, their families and the business side as well.

On Nov. 17, the provincial government announced new restrictions it hopes will curb the spread of COVID-19. One of those was to limit visitation at long-term and personal care homes to compassionate reasons only.

That restriction took effect Thursday.

While Chapple is in favour of visitor restrictions for the sake of safety, he said it’s still hard on residents and their families.

“It puts that guilt on (the families),” he said. “They feel bad that their loved ones are in these types (of places). They shouldn’t.

“I always explain to them that (their loved ones) are with other seniors, they have that companionship (and) they’re not alone in their house, locked in … But they still feel that guilt that they can’t come visit. That puts these families on edge. It makes for a bad environment in general.

“Families are frustrated they can’t visit (and) residents are frustrated they can’t have visitors … It’s very stressful for us in management (and) it’s very stressful for staff.”

Despite taking many health measures, he still worries about what could happen if there were cases in Dove House.

“You’re sitting on pins and needles, praying that something doesn’t happen. It creates an extremely stressful environment,” he said.

On top of that, he thinks it would be devastating on the business side of things.

“When I saw the outbreaks, (I thought) my business would not survive an outbreak,” he said.

Another care home operator thinks it’s possible to weather the pandemic, but only if people stick to health guidelines.

Allan Stephens is the CEO of Eden Care Communities, which operates homes in Regina, Moose Jaw and Saskatoon.

“Our care partner team has been doing a great job in making sure that we create and maintain iron rings around our care homes … My challenge to the population is, to keep those iron rings, we all need to do our part,” he said.

“If (people) were walking in our shoes, on what our care partners are doing on a day-to-day basis and the challenges that loved ones have, they would stay at home if they weren’t feeling well. They would wear a mask … The impact if they don’t could cause some dramatic effects in our care homes.”