Visiting an SHA facility over the holiday season? Know what you can bring in.
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The holiday season is a time when family and friends get together to make lasting memories and reflect upon the past year. If you are visiting a loved one in any of our homes or facilities this season please consider the following so we can keep everyone as safe and healthy as possible.
Your presence is guaranteed to be their favourite present of the year. Easy gifts to bring are funny stories, pictures and some songs to sing but if you would like to bring more here are some guidelines to follow:
- Family/visitors may bring food (commercially prepared and homemade) for their loved one; however it cannot be shared with any other patient/resident or staff member at this time.
- In long-term care homes residents/families may choose to decorate their own room with cards; being mindful to minimize clutter to allow for adequate cleaning.
- Holiday decorations of any kind in an acute care setting must not be placed in acute care inpatient rooms and are discouraged on outbreak units.
- Patients/residents may receive purchased floral arrangements however, families are asked to consult with managers and staff prior to placing orders for delivery and to follow existing scent-free policies.
- Household plants and flowers from home gardens are not permitted due to possible mold, insects, and pollen and plant allergens.
- All plants (dried or alive), including poinsettias, are to be kept away from high risk areas where there are immunocompromised individuals (specifically: nursery, OR, ICU, PACU, Chemo and Dialysis). This includes patient rooms and the unit/department as a whole (e.g., nursing stations, med rooms etc.).
- Any open flame, including candles is prohibited in any SHA facility. As an option, an electric candle may be used.
Whatever contribution you make to your loved one, it is guaranteed to be appreciated and remembered for many holiday seasons to come.
