THUNDER BAY – Some long term care home residents in Thunder Bay will have to wait a little bit longer to leave for outings with family, despite a directive from the provincial government released last week.
On Friday, the government announced day trips beyond the homes would be allowed for residents for the first time since March. Overnight visits are also allowed at the discretion of the facility.
The city-owned Pioneer Ridge care home cited unanswered questions on the policy change in a message informing families outings would not yet be possible.
“There appears to be much confusion related to the present guidelines related to Covid testing and the new directive,” the message reads. “Unfortunately, when working on the procedures to implement the protocols for these outings, we were left with several questions and encountered many scenarios where the direction appeared contradictory to current practices, creating a fear that we were heightening risk in a couple of areas.”
Lee Mesic, administrator of the city’s Pioneer Ridge home, pointed specifically to inconsistencies in testing requirements.
“Indoor visitors require negative testing, yet visitors can take the resident out and about for a few hours without the same requirement,” she explained.
A spokesperson for Ontario’s Ministry of Long-Term Care said the directive had been effective immediately when released Friday.
Two other homes in the city, Hogarth Riverview Manor and Bethammi Nursing Home, are now allowing outings. Both are operated by St. Joseph’s Care Group.
President Tracy Buckler said homes received no advance notice on Friday’s directive, but were aware the province had been considering changes. She agreed the new rules left operators grappling with “conflicting information” in some cases.
“It’s a little confusing right now and we’re getting very legitimate questions from family members,” she said.
The group’s protocols for outings will include a release form, providing residents with masks, and planned testing five days after their return. Buckler emphasized the importance of mask wearing and meticulous hand-washing.
Thunder Bay’s low case count – with zero active cases as of Tuesday morning – made her more confident in the change.
The fraught transition highlighted a delicate balance for long term care homes.
“We always have to balance the need for human connection with the need for safety,” she said.
