Overview of COVID 19 Safe Visits
October 19, 2020
We are now available to do One on One Visits again! ...with a few modifications.
Following the protocols from Dr. Hinshaw, we are back visiting indoors of the senior's place of residence -whether it is their personal residence or within a Care Facility. Some restrictions apply.
We are doing our part to ensure the safety of both our seniors and the Friends.
Some of the things we do are:
- Self screening
- Calling ahead to ask if senior or anyone in the household is experiencing symptoms or unwell or inquire if care facility status has changed
- Practicing social distancing during the visit and wearing a mask when unable to do remain at a distance
- Regular hand hygiene before, during and after the visits
-Wiping down all areas touched by the Friend before leaving
As mentioned in the Social Distancing Visits description below, the Friend is able to bring in much loved treats or pick up a few items from the store if that is desired before or during the visit time together.
Please speak with Robyn regarding One on One Visits as well as the possibility of outings during the visits. Some restrictions may apply. As always, at the end of each visit, a visit summary can be sent to the family to keep everyone up to date with how your loved one is doing and what we have been up to together. All in person visits are 2 hr minimum.
We will continue to offer our New visit types.
Designed to work together to bring about much needed social connection and mental wellness.
A Friend Indeed is excited to offer:
Social Distancing Visits (seasonal),
Virtual Visits, and
Friendly Phone Calls to do just that!
We are now available to do One on One Visits again! ...with a few modifications.
Following the protocols from Dr. Hinshaw, we are back visiting indoors of the senior's place of residence -whether it is their personal residence or within a Care Facility. Some restrictions apply.
We are doing our part to ensure the safety of both our seniors and the Friends.
Some of the things we do are:
- Self screening
- Calling ahead to ask if senior or anyone in the household is experiencing symptoms or unwell or inquire if care facility status has changed
- Practicing social distancing during the visit and wearing a mask when unable to do remain at a distance
- Regular hand hygiene before, during and after the visits
-Wiping down all areas touched by the Friend before leaving
As mentioned in the Social Distancing Visits description below, the Friend is able to bring in much loved treats or pick up a few items from the store if that is desired before or during the visit time together.
Please speak with Robyn regarding One on One Visits as well as the possibility of outings during the visits. Some restrictions may apply. As always, at the end of each visit, a visit summary can be sent to the family to keep everyone up to date with how your loved one is doing and what we have been up to together. All in person visits are 2 hr minimum.
We will continue to offer our New visit types.
Designed to work together to bring about much needed social connection and mental wellness.
A Friend Indeed is excited to offer:
Social Distancing Visits (seasonal),
Virtual Visits, and
Friendly Phone Calls to do just that!
Social Distancing Visits (seasonal)
Similar to One on One Visits but held outside. A chance for your loved one and their Friend to be together again, face to face yet staying safe! How wonderful to have the company for your loved one while having time to yourself?
Social Distancing visits are in person but at a distance or with a barrier (ie: window or sliding door) between the Senior and their Friend. The Friend will need to rely on the family member residing with the Senior if the Senior needs support in getting to and from the visit location and ensure they are set up for comfort from the elements. If a Senior resides on their own and no such additional support person is available, the Senior must be able to accomplish these on their own without assistance from the Friend.
During a visit, if the Senior is in need of unexpected support, (ie: in the event that the Senior is unable to open a door due to weather/wind, is having unexpected trouble with stairs, or some other challenge that was unforeseeable), the Friend will wear a mask, use hand sanitizer before entering Senior’s personal space to support. The Friend will not enter the Senior’s home unless only in an emergency and will do so with mask and hand sanitizer used beforehand. Friend will wipe down any surface that was touched. Friend will wipe down any surface that was touched with sanitizer wipe provided by Senior.
During the visit, the Friend may not* use a mask while keeping their distance of the recommended 6 feet or more.
The Senior, along with anyone else who resides in the home, and the Friend will remain at least 6 feet apart at all times. Prior to the visit, it is helpful to discuss the on-site location of the visit, and what means of comfort for both parties by way of seating, protection against the weather, etc. will be provided. Friend will bring their own chair.
To avoid sharing items, both the Senior and the Friend are responsible for providing their own beverages and individualized food items if they are desired. Having said that, arrangements can be made ahead of time for the Friend to pick up individual beverages or treats to bring to the visit. There are some limitations to what can be brought –depending on the ability to refrain from touching the items or ability to sanitize the items. (ie: instead of an ice cream cone, a wrapped ice cream treat can be wiped with a sanitizing cloth.)
Also, the Friend is able to pick up a few items from a store or drive thru on behalf of Senior. Items will be wiped with sanitizer cloth or left in bag for cleaning by family member. Some restrictions may apply. Social Distancing Visits are 2 hr minimum.
*Please speak with Robyn directly with any concerns or questions you have regarding masks. Friends will follow all protocols that Care Facilities set out.
Similar to One on One Visits but held outside. A chance for your loved one and their Friend to be together again, face to face yet staying safe! How wonderful to have the company for your loved one while having time to yourself?
Social Distancing visits are in person but at a distance or with a barrier (ie: window or sliding door) between the Senior and their Friend. The Friend will need to rely on the family member residing with the Senior if the Senior needs support in getting to and from the visit location and ensure they are set up for comfort from the elements. If a Senior resides on their own and no such additional support person is available, the Senior must be able to accomplish these on their own without assistance from the Friend.
During a visit, if the Senior is in need of unexpected support, (ie: in the event that the Senior is unable to open a door due to weather/wind, is having unexpected trouble with stairs, or some other challenge that was unforeseeable), the Friend will wear a mask, use hand sanitizer before entering Senior’s personal space to support. The Friend will not enter the Senior’s home unless only in an emergency and will do so with mask and hand sanitizer used beforehand. Friend will wipe down any surface that was touched. Friend will wipe down any surface that was touched with sanitizer wipe provided by Senior.
During the visit, the Friend may not* use a mask while keeping their distance of the recommended 6 feet or more.
The Senior, along with anyone else who resides in the home, and the Friend will remain at least 6 feet apart at all times. Prior to the visit, it is helpful to discuss the on-site location of the visit, and what means of comfort for both parties by way of seating, protection against the weather, etc. will be provided. Friend will bring their own chair.
To avoid sharing items, both the Senior and the Friend are responsible for providing their own beverages and individualized food items if they are desired. Having said that, arrangements can be made ahead of time for the Friend to pick up individual beverages or treats to bring to the visit. There are some limitations to what can be brought –depending on the ability to refrain from touching the items or ability to sanitize the items. (ie: instead of an ice cream cone, a wrapped ice cream treat can be wiped with a sanitizing cloth.)
Also, the Friend is able to pick up a few items from a store or drive thru on behalf of Senior. Items will be wiped with sanitizer cloth or left in bag for cleaning by family member. Some restrictions may apply. Social Distancing Visits are 2 hr minimum.
*Please speak with Robyn directly with any concerns or questions you have regarding masks. Friends will follow all protocols that Care Facilities set out.
Virtual Visits
Virtual Visits give both your loved one and their Friend the opportunity for greater connection through the inclusion of live interaction. Being able to see each other's facial expressions along with lively conversation simulates an in-person visit. Giving your loved one access to explore interests, revisit meaningful places, etc online with their Friend, makes for new adventures each time. It is amazing to hear long time memories from such personalized experiences.
Adding to the experience of a Real-Time visit, is by making it multi-sensory! Your loved one and their Friend enjoying a coffee and snack together during the visit!
Please note, your loved one will need access to a device with internet and camera as well as someone (either family member or facility staff) to set up or receive the conference call and troubleshoot if needed. Some facilities have scheduled times for Virtual Visits.
No one likes to wait for sites to load which is why the Friend prepares for the online visit ahead of time. Ideas of activities, topics to discuss and explore together, making the visits that much more special. AFI asks that family provide some key details of the Senior’s life. Our creative processes will bring those details into online experiences for the Senior and Friend to enjoy. Valued time together with their Friend while you can use your time for yourself. Length of Virtual Visits are in 15 minute increments. (IE: 15, 30, 45min, etc)
Virtual Visits give both your loved one and their Friend the opportunity for greater connection through the inclusion of live interaction. Being able to see each other's facial expressions along with lively conversation simulates an in-person visit. Giving your loved one access to explore interests, revisit meaningful places, etc online with their Friend, makes for new adventures each time. It is amazing to hear long time memories from such personalized experiences.
Adding to the experience of a Real-Time visit, is by making it multi-sensory! Your loved one and their Friend enjoying a coffee and snack together during the visit!
Please note, your loved one will need access to a device with internet and camera as well as someone (either family member or facility staff) to set up or receive the conference call and troubleshoot if needed. Some facilities have scheduled times for Virtual Visits.
No one likes to wait for sites to load which is why the Friend prepares for the online visit ahead of time. Ideas of activities, topics to discuss and explore together, making the visits that much more special. AFI asks that family provide some key details of the Senior’s life. Our creative processes will bring those details into online experiences for the Senior and Friend to enjoy. Valued time together with their Friend while you can use your time for yourself. Length of Virtual Visits are in 15 minute increments. (IE: 15, 30, 45min, etc)
Friendly Phone Calls
Think about how you feel when you hear from an old Friend? Our Friendly Phone Calls are just that! A chance to catch up, to escape for a while into conversation, to share in a familiar laugh, to be a listening ear as we get through this unique time together.
Friendly Phone Calls are telephone calls from the Friend to the Senior on prearranged day(s) and time(s). Phone calls are an easy form of friendly social connection with their Friend. Length of calls are in 15 minute increments. (IE: 15, 30, 45min, etc)
Think about how you feel when you hear from an old Friend? Our Friendly Phone Calls are just that! A chance to catch up, to escape for a while into conversation, to share in a familiar laugh, to be a listening ear as we get through this unique time together.
Friendly Phone Calls are telephone calls from the Friend to the Senior on prearranged day(s) and time(s). Phone calls are an easy form of friendly social connection with their Friend. Length of calls are in 15 minute increments. (IE: 15, 30, 45min, etc)
Some additional changes...
- As usual, visit hours are pre-purchased by the month. Any credits will be used first. An estimated number of hours the month will be invoiced. Unused time will be carried over to the following period as a credit.
- As usual, a visit summary will be sent after every visit interaction to keep you up to date on how the visits are going, what your loved one and their Friend are doing, and to keep track of the visit time completed. Time not used during the month will be carried forward as a credit.
- Friendly Phone Calls and Virtual Visits will be invoiced in 15 min increments and are prorated to our regular rate. All in person visits (One on One Visits and Social Distancing Visits) are still the standard 2 hour minimum.
- The Visit Types [Friendly Phone Calls, Virtual Visits and Social Distancing Visits (seasonal)] are designed to work together and be work around solutions should any interruptions arise. For example: if unexpected weather change occurs midway through a Social Distancing Visit, there is the option of continuing the visit by way of Friendly Phone Call or Virtual Visit from the Friend’s vehicle. If a Friendly Phone Call was previously arranged but the weather is looking great, then a possible Social Distancing Visit may be arranged and confirmed to replace the Call. Alternatively, other activities can be done to complete the full 2 hours. Ideas such as: running errands/shopping on behalf of Senior or family, light work outside (some restrictions may apply), writing a cheerful letter to the Senior to put in their mailbox. These are just a few ideas and we can talk with you to determine what would be most appreciated and helpful.
- One on One visits that are shortened due to restrictions imposed by Care Facilities, can utilize some of the work around solutions mentioned in the point above.
- The usual mileage rate will be applied for requests where the Friend is picking up individual beverages, treats for the Senior or requests for items from the store on behalf of the Senior. Time for travel for shopping/errands requests will be part of the visit time. Purchases for the Senior will be added to invoice for reimbursement, unless otherwise arranged.
- Sanitizer wipes must be provided by the Client or Senior for wiping purchases such as wrapped treats, beverage containers or other items that the Friend picks up on behalf of the Senior for the visit. If sanitizer wipes are not available, a charge of $5 will be added to the invoice to cover costs. Otherwise, let the Friend know ahead of time if sanitizer wipes need to be purchased along with the other items.
- Outings with Seniors will be on a case by case basis. Some restrictions apply. Please speak with Robyn directly for details on this.
New Scheduling Options for Greater Connection
All Visits Same Price
If you have any questions, please contact Robyn directly at 403-980-0199. We look forward to spending time with your loved one and bringing about the best time together!
- Initially the Friend will reach out for a quick communication to either the family contact (who is coordinating on behalf of Senior) or to the Senior directly when appropriate, to secure an individualized mix of visit frequency, time(s) and type(s). Visits can be an agreed upon schedule of same day/time week to week or varying days and times. Note: Visits are dependent on the availability of the Friend.
All Visits Same Price
- We take pride in investing our time and energy in preparing for and creating the best experiences for our Seniors. We bring that same commitment to all types of visits not just the ones we attend in person but also to our Friendly Phone Calls and Virtual Visits. This is why all visit types are prorated to the same hourly rate. Note: Any client who had previously paid Out of Town rates will be changed to regular rate for all visits that do not require travel from a Friend living out of town.
If you have any questions, please contact Robyn directly at 403-980-0199. We look forward to spending time with your loved one and bringing about the best time together!