An email sent to the appropriate people after being denied access to visit his parents in LTC:
This morning I was denied access to visit my parents in Westmount Gardens, LTC. My dad is 100, my mom is 96. I am the essential caregiver and choose to not provide vaccination status. On previous visits, I have been tested prior to entry and wear PPE and was properly screened.
I was told that unless I provided a QR code I would not be allowed entry to the home. It was confirmed by the administrator. I had some discussion with her and asked some questions such as, Why could I not enter if tested, do the tests not work? If they don't work, why was I tested every other time before being allowed in? She told me that the directive was that I could not enter unless I provided vaccination status. I responded with the directive is that they could not deny entry to essential caregivers of the residents choice. None of my questions were answered.
I went home and downloaded this from the
health.gov.on.ca website. Pages 6 and 7 of the pdf document:
b) Essential Caregiver
An Essential Caregiver is a type of Essential Visitor who is designated by the resident or, if the resident if unable to do so, their substitute decision-maker.
Essential Caregivers visit to provide care to a resident. This includes supporting feeding, mobility, personal hygiene, cognitive stimulation, communication, meaningful connection, relational continuity and assistance in decision-making.
Essential Caregivers may be designated by the resident. The designation should be made in writing to the home. The necessity of an Essential Caregiver is determined by the resident or substitute decision maker. Homes should have a procedure for documenting Essential Caregiver designations and any subsequent changes.
Page 7 of 25
Essential Caregivers, provided that they pass active screening, testing, and PPE requirements, must not be denied access to residents (e.g., vaccination status should not impact access).
In order to limit the spread of infection, a resident and/or their substitute decisionmaker should only be encouraged to change the designation of their Essential Caregiver in limited circumstances, including in response to: • A change in the resident’s care needs that is reflected in the plan of care;
• A change in the availability of a designated Essential Caregiver, either temporary (e.g., illness) or permanent; and/or
• Due to the vaccination status of the designated Essential Caregiver.
Examples of Essential Caregivers include family members who provide care, a privately hired caregiver, paid companions, and translators. A resident may designate an external care provider as an Essential Caregiver even though that individual would also be considered a Support Worker.
Please respond asap, my parent's health is at stake.
Bill Millar
https://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/pro/programs/publichealth/coronavirus/docs/retirement_homes_visiting_policy_guidance.pdf
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