Most Hamilton long-term care workers vaccinated as Ontario tightens rules for visitors

Most Hamilton workers in long-term care were vaccinated by the province's deadline, just before Ontario announced more safety measures in senior homes Tuesday.

All workers in 15 out of 25 Hamilton long-term care facilities were fully vaccinated by the end of November, just weeks before the ministry's vaccination deadline of Dec. 13. There are 27 facilities in the city, but data for two homes was not available through the Ministry of Long-Term Care.

However, the two facilities, Shalom Village long-term care and Chartwell Willowgrove, confirmed individually to The Spectator that they achieved 100 per cent vaccination. Chartwell Willowgrove said there was a technical issue" while submitting its data to the ministry.

The 10 homes which didn't reach 100 per cent were just shy of having all their staff vaccinated. Wentworth Lodge had 96 per cent, the Meadows had 97 per cent, the Wellington Nursing Home had 98 per cent and seven homes had 99 per cent.

That means some workers may be restricted from entering a long-term care home if they didn't get their shot by Monday's deadline. All workers must now be fully vaccinated or have a medical exemption.

Three Shalom workers quit and six are on administrative unpaid leave for not complying with the home's vaccination policy, spokesperson Laurie Pringle said in an email. Another is on administrative leave while Shalom verifies their medical exemption. These numbers are for all of Shalom, including the assisted living section.

The home is strongly encouraging" boosters - which are open to health-care workers - and offering on-site opportunities for staff to get them, Pringle added.

On Tuesday, Ontario announced general visitors must be fully vaccinated to enter a care home, effective immediately. All caregivers must get their first doses by Dec. 20 and be fully vaccinated by Feb. 21, except if they have a medical exemption or are visiting a resident who is palliative.

As of Dec. 17, only two visitors per resident can come at a time for indoor visits, with up to four outdoors. Homes must also boost testing.

The province also strongly" encourages retirement homes to only let in general visitors who are fully vaccinated and to have further requirements for unvaccinated visitors.

As of Dec. 22, retirement homes will increase testing for workers, volunteers and visitors regardless of vaccination status.

Maria Iqbal covers aging issues for The Spectator. miqbal@thespec.com