Riverview Gardens Mission Statement

Together, we provide exceptional,

compassionate, and resident-focused care.

Riverview Gardens, Municipality of Chatham-Kent

519 King Street West, Chatham, ON N7M 1G8

Phone: 519.352.4823 Fax: 519.352.2891

Website: www.ckriverviewgardens.ca

Facebook, Twitter & Instagram @CKRiverview

Dear residents and families,

As I sit down to write this message, we are now 15 days in from closing our doors to visitors. This has no

doubt been a long two weeks for all. Everyone has been incredibly patient and understanding, as we go

through these uncharted waters. The Activation team has been doing their best to try and connect resi-

dents and families, using cell phones and iPads and posting messages on social media (Facebook, Twit-

ter and Instagram). They have just started scheduled phone calls at the King St. entrance where residents

can talk to friends and families through the glass. We continue to look for opportunities to stay socially

connected, while we are physically distancing.

A few things to keep you informed:

We have no cases of COVID19 at Riverview Gardens.

There currently are no visitors allowed at this time, except where a resident is palliative.

All non-essential medical appointments have been reviewed and are cancelled as able, to reduce

trips outside of Riverview Gardens.

We request that deliveries for residents be kept to a minimum. At this time, deliveries and mail are

held for 48 hours for infection control purposes, unless approved for immediate delivery by RNs or

management, as necessary for health and well being. We are requesting no food deliveries to resi-

dents at this time. We do not have refrigeration for fresh food, and all food products are subject to

the 48 hour quarantine. We are no longer allowing take out-food to be brought in for the residents

for the same reason. With non-perishables, it is a strain on resources, as care plans need to be re-

viewed prior to any deliveries. Rest assured, we are well stocked on food in our dietary area, and

will take care of all food and beverage needs for our residents. We appreciate this is a difficult and

be assured this measure is for everyone’s safety.

Our staffing levels have been good. We continue to screen everyone coming into the building at the

entrance for everyone’s safety. Chatham-Kent municipal employees have stepped in to do the

screening, which frees RVG staff to work elsewhere in the building. As well, the Grow Your Own

PSW students completed their Home Support Worker Certification (HSW) just prior to this, and are

now working on the floors as HSW’s. For additional staff, we have many of our summer students

from last year returning. We have great staff here, who are committed to the emotional and physical

wellbeing of each and every resident. Thank you for your ongoing understanding and patience, and I

wish each of you strength as we go through these difficult times. If you have any questions or con-

cerns, as we go through this, do not hesitate to reach out.

Mary Alice Searles Director, Seniors Services

A Message From Pastoral Jamie

This is the month that those first spring flowers

poke through the frozen ground often through

snow as well. We love to see them coming up,

tulip tips, crocuses, snowdrops, because they re-

mind me that after darkness and death comes life

and resurrection. The earth has been frozen

and everything seemed dead, but what we

thought was gone comes again just as beautiful

and wonderful as before. It’s a promise from God

of what life really is all about. So enjoy these first

signs of spring and renewal with joy. As those of

you who are Christian celebrate Easter and Pass-

over, may the wonder of God’s love and resurrec-

tion fill you with faith and peace!

-Blessings, Pastor Jamie

Banking Hours: Monday to Friday 1:30p-2:00pm Daily (At Reception)

Tuck Shop, Café, Pub, Hair Salon Closed until further notice

Reception Hours: Monday to Friday 8:30am-4:00pm (Note: April 15th open at 9:00am)

How has the COVID-19 pandemic

affected Recreation at RVG?

Here at RVG we are promoting social/physical

distancing through keeping programs at a mini-

mal of 5 residents at one time, promoting more

1:1 programs, offering an activities to go which

is a table of word games etc. that residents can

grab and take, implementing unique ways to

connect with family and friends and asking resi-

dents to remain on their floor for pro-

grams. Just like community rules apply, we try

to achieve these restrictions as much as possi-

ble in RVG as well, to be proactive and assist in

lessening the curve of COVID-19. We have set

up COVID-19 information areas on each floor

for residents and have had residents meetings

on each floor to connect with residents and an-

swer their questions.

We have implemented 3 new programs to keep

connected. Our Home to Home Program is

through social media where residents show

their written messages to family and friends

and it is posted, our Phone Home Program is a

phone call to family members from Residents

and our Heart to Heart Program is connecting

residents and families through structured win-

dow visiting. We wave also acquired IPAD’s to

assist us with connecting via face time, skype

and hangout. The recreation staff are trying to

keep up with resident and family demands and

are working as best as they can to ensure

those that want to participate in any of these

programs can. Please visit our social media at

CKRVG on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to

view resident messages and valuable news

within our home. Let’s keep connected. Please

stay safe and healthy! Keep Hope!

Connie Redmond

Supervisor Activation/ Volunteer Coordinator

Stay Updated by following us on

Facebook, Twitter and Instagram

@CKRiverview

Family Council and Resident Council are

cancelled until further notice

Visit https://fco.ngo/ for Family Council of

Ontario updates