Don’t worry - they are not in a dire supply situation.
That’s the assurance from Augustine House residential care executive director Jackie Reiners who said there was some initial concern when alarming news of the COVID-19 pandemic broke last week, but they are well stocked on essentials for staff and residents.
She told the Optimist should there be any issues, both Fraser Health and SafeCare BC are working hard to make sure there’s enough supplies in any care facility.
“I think most facilities, most buildings, are at the same place where we are able to get the supplies we need right now and, should things change, we are able to access them,” she said.
Reiners noted the community has also been very generous in its offers of donations.
“It’s lovely to see all cross the province, companies and organizations that have extra supplies in those top priority items how they have stepped up. It’s great to see people donating to the hospital and the hospice and to us. Ladner is truly a special place, and so is B.C. and all of Canada, in fact. People are stepping up and that’s pretty amazing,” she added.
In a letter this week to residents and members of the Augustine community, Reiners said it’s been a fluid situation with changes coming daily from Fraser Health and the Ministry of Health.
Augustine House has had to implement a number of changes but residents are doing well, she said.
SafeCare BC, an industry-funded non-profit for care workers, meanwhile, is calling for donations for its members.
It’s asking individuals and organizations to donate extra medical supplies to healthcare workers who work in long-term care homes, hospitals and assisted living.
