Hamilton long-term care homes allow residents to hug caregivers again after Ontario eases restrictions

Long-term care residents can hug their caregivers and join group activities - with precautions - after Ontario loosened restrictions on homes this month.

On May 4, the Ministry of Long-term Care updated its directive to allow shared dining and other activities to resume depending on a home's vaccination rate. Residents can take part in shared activities in cohorts while wearing masks and taking other precautions.

After an incredibly difficult year, we welcome the movement towards additional flexibility for our residents," said Extendicare spokesperson Laura Gallant in an email.

Physical distancing is not required when gathering and dining in homes where 85 per cent of residents and 70 per cent of staff have received vaccines, per the directive. Caregivers and residents who've received both vaccine doses can also hug and hold hands while wearing masks and eye protection.

Based on provincial data on the city's website, all Hamilton long-term care residents have been vaccinated, as have 87 per cent of staff.

The changes have begun being rolled out in Hamilton homes.

At Extendicare Hamilton, residents can participate in horticulture, crafts and socials, among other activities.

Distanced group exercise, bingo and spiritual groups have been ongoing at Grace Villa after the home got out of outbreak, says Mary Raithby of APANS Health Services. But she noted residents can go outside for non-medical absences under the new directive, but opportunities are limited in the provincewide stay-at-home order.

Some homes are gradually opening up to more activities.

At Shalom Village in Westdale, residents will be able to have distanced group walks and other outdoor group activities starting next week. The home is also introducing bingo, gardening, picnics and group trivia with physical distancing, as well as a return of its social hour" where residents can talk and play games together.

That's on top of existing activities such as dining, virtual religious services and fitness classes, as well as treat cart deliveries.

The home on Macklin Street North is pacing" the rollout of activities because we're finding many of our residents are nervous about interacting with people," said spokesperson Laurie Pringle in an email. She noted the gradual changes will also allow Shalom to assess safety.

City-run homes Macassa and Wentworth Lodge are offering group activities with up to five residents with physical distancing and other measures.

Shared dining has been ongoing throughout the pandemic at St. Peter's Residence at Chedoke and Idlewyld Manor, because the homes have enough space in the dining room to allow physical distancing, says Thrive Group senior administrator Renee Guder. The homes have also kept up small group activities like exercise and music therapy while maintaining precautions.

As a result, residents of our two homes may not notice significant changes," Guder said of the ministry's directive in an email.

She added the changes offer a glimpse of how life could resume after the pandemic.

With the increased vaccine supply, we are hoping more individuals will choose vaccination so that our entire community can begin to enjoy greater freedoms as we are seeing in long-term care!"

Maria Iqbal is a Hamilton-based reporter at The Spectator covering aging issues. Reach her via email: miqbal@thespec.com.