Dear MLP Residents & Family,

It’s hard to believe that we are already in the third quarter of the year. At the beginning of this year MLP celebrated its 20th anniversary. This is not a look back, but a look ahead. In addition, we have had a lot to be thankful for as we also commend keeping all our residents and staff safe, healthy and COVID-19 free during the pandemic. It is incredible to finally see “normality” returning to our daily lives. This does not mean that our focus has changed; we are, more than ever before, committed to making the everyday lives of our seniors more rewarding through our adaptive operational policies and flexible visitation protocols – all of which strictly align with MSAA and Public Health measures and guidelines. And of course, we continue to focus on providing safe, thoughtful, and caring experiences to all our residents – with wellbeing and safety at the heart of everything that we do.

We are springing back to life with the energy of vaccine’s success at our backs. With infection activity plummeting nationwide, combined with the proactive steps that MLP has taken, our residents are comforted to know that their safety and well-being is of paramount importance. The MLP Community has been in an unrivaled position, during the pandemic, as all our staff continue to expend excelling care services and security measures for each resident within our Community. MLP Residence assures all of its residents that they are able to live their best life, in all facets, at MLP moving forward.

The bold and quick initiatives that were enforced by MLP during the early stages of the pandemic – including procuring large volumes of PPE, enhancing IPAC protocols, deploying an ongoing COVID-19 screening and testing program, and later being among the first of senior living providers to choose mandatory vaccination for all our team members – has positioned MLP Residence favourably to move to a great 2021 – 2022 season. This is the lens through which we view our future – boldly being “first movers” in everything that we do.

From our continual wellness program initiatives, for our residents, to our enhanced IPAC measures and operational practices during the past 18 months, our focus has been, and shall remain, to maintain the award-winning care services within a highly immunized and vaccinated environment. We are ready for a new journey and new life for you and with you.

Our focus has now also moved to ensure that our residents are able to live their best lives in a post-COVID world. We remain vigilant as the endgame for COVID-19 evolves, and we remain committed to continue taking any urgent measures and effective steps that may be needed, from time to time, to protect all of our residents and team members, including planning for timely roll out COVID-19 vaccine boosters later this year.

Following is some of the important information about our continuing response to COVID-19. Information,policies, and protocols are updated regularly, considering changing guidelines and directives. If you are searching for specific material not found here, please contact MLP’s General Manager for more information or clarification.

• Visiting: MLP Residence continues to comply with Public Health directives, MSAA and RHRA directives for visitation and screening. Please check for information and current status for your visit to MLP prior to booking.
• Team Member Screening Protocol: All MLP Residence’s staff members participate in screening protocols before entering the workplace. These are consistent with directives issued by provincial public health units. This includes temperature checks of staff upon arrival for their scheduled shifts and all team members are required to enter the premises via a designated entry point. Furthermore, every team member participates in antigen testing twice per week. As of September 7th 2021, MLP has enforced a Mandatory Vaccination Policy for all its staff.
• Staying Active and Connected: We continue to encourage our residents to stay active while respecting physical distancing principles. Staying connected with loved ones is very important, especially during uncertain times. MLP has maintained visitation protocols over the course of the pandemic, albeit with modifications. During peak infection times, we had voluntarily lockeddown the Residence for entry but maintained the opportunity for family and friends to connect with their loved ones through video or telephone calls, window visits, emails, and assisting in receiving deliveries on behalf of any resident. As COVID-19 numbers decline we have readapted our visitation guidelines to include in-suite visits with family – which are dependent on successful screening conventions upon entry for each visitor, implementation of IPAC controls and wearing of PPE as and where required as per MLP policies.
• Deliveries: As part of our evolving response, we monitor and control deliveries closely to ensure we are following best infection control practices and protecting residents and our team members. For details about how to arrange a delivery to your loved one at MLP Residence, please contact a member of our management team.
• Dining: Dining rooms and meal service have been adapted to ensure physical distancing standards that comply with current public health directives; as well as enhanced sanitisation and disinfection protocols.
• Cleaning & Sanitisation: Increased cleaning and disinfecting protocols continue to apply at all common areas of the buildings, including high-touch surfaces.
• Site Communications Updates: MLP Residence’s General Manager continues to send regular site communication updates to residents and families. If you are not currently receiving these messages, and would like to, please contact our General Manager directly to be added to her email distribution list.

We are encouraged, and we want to encourage you. The sun is shining, the weather is warmer, the days are longer, and the future is brighter.

Thank you for your trust and support to MLP all along the way. I’m happy to be “turning the page” together with you in the days ahead.

It is hard to believe that the year 2020 has come and gone, and with it, the anniversary of the first confirmed case of COVID-19 in Canada, on January 27. Together, we have experienced a year of great challenges related to the pandemic. Across the World, Canada and the Province, businesses, citizens and governments have all been faced with unprecedented and ongoing impacts of COVID-19; with the Second Wave hitting us just in time for the winter holiday season.

February is a month that we all look forward to by way of celebrating holidays and events – such as Lunar New Year, Family Day Long Weekend and Valentine’s Day. These celebratory events not only help us get through winter but allow us to spend more time with family and friends. There is no question, that this year, things have been very different.

Caseloads have plateaued, but with the new variants in our midst, we all need to continue doing all that we have in the months past, so as to keep everyone safe and healthy. The Provincial lockdown has significantly helped in curtailing the spread of COVID-19. As we move through this critical time, MLP Residence continues to monitor the situation on a daily basis, with safety and IPAC protocols being of paramount significance. MLP Residence’s mandate remains unchanged – to do everything in its jurisdiction to keep our residents and team members safe.

Preventing the virus from entering our Residence during this period has not been easy. As you are aware, MLP has not had a single case of COVID-19 amidst our Community, which is testimony to the hard work and dedication of our front-line workers. These individuals have sacrificed their time, energy and resources to ensure that everyone who works and lives at MLP remain safe and healthy. We are ever so grateful and privileged to be part of a team who work tirelessly, devoutly, and with focus to keep everyone safe. We recognize that this is not an easy accomplishment. We are forever indebted to our wonderful and awesome team and applaud their tenacity and dedication.

With guidelines and recommendations received regularly from the Ministry of Seniors and Accessibility, RHRA, ORCA and Public Health Ontario; MLP Residence continues to monitor and update its policies and procedures to ensure compliance to Provincial and Municipal directives, including in-home activities for our residents, infection control measures as well as visitation rules for families and friends. It is important to note that while the Ontario vaccination program is underway, MLP Residence will not relax its policies with respect to COVID-19 safety plans and procedures – until such time that mass vaccination among the population has been achieved and we are informed by our health partners to revert to “normal” operations.

In an effort to ensure that COVID-19 does not enter our Residence, we have, and shall continue to, enforce IPAC measures and screening tools. In addition, we have, and shall continue to in the future, reach out to all families of our residents to offer education and assistance, re safety procedures and measures which have been implemented at MLP. This means keeping you up to date on the COVID-19 directives as received from our health partners and the Ministry. MLP Residence’s focus is to facilitate the wellbeing of all our people, and this is the driving force behind everything that we do. We are cognisant that some people’s mental health and wellbeing may be strained due to the many necessary inconveniences, or there may be elevated anxiety due to an increased risk of isolation – given social distancing practices; but we want to assure you all that we are, and will continue, to proactively deal with these challenges for the greater benefit of all.

As part of our pandemic response plan and respecting the need to protect the health of our seniors, MLP continues to offer communication and visitation alternatives by way of telephonic, video and digital means, for families to remain in constant touch. Where this is not practical or feasible, we may allow restricted visitation (based on current public health statutes), practicing social distancing and other risk management practices.

There is no doubt that this has been a long race back to normal. But remember, this is a marathon, maybe even an ultra-marathon. The Corporate vision of MLP requires every member of our Team to be the responsible citizen that they can; in order to help keep all those who depend on MLP. Our business continuity plan is strong and is effectively deployed. Throughout these challenging times, MLP’s General Manager has regularly been communicating with families of our seniors, offering them information which can be used to support and leverage our services, including information to the changes to in-house programs, screening and sanitization processes, modifications to group activities, and changes to visitation.

We value the special bond that keeps us all at MLP together – providing excelling services and luxurious accommodation options for all whom we serve. Every action that we take is to ensure that our commitment to service is effectively, efficiently and empathetically conferred.

As we move into March, we wish you peace and tranquility, and the support of friends and family – in whatever form that may come. Warm regards,

Dear Residents, Families and Friends of MLP Residence:

The much talked about second wave of the pandemic has arrived and case counts throughout Canada remain much higher than expected. Our lives have been changed drastically in the last several months due to COVID-19. Worries about the virus and its impact to our health, the change to the daily routines of our families and the economic effect from this pandemic are weighing on each of us. MLP Residence, in addition to caring for the health of the seniors whom we serve, is also actively monitoring and assisting our Operations Team and their families to ensure their continual good health and safety.

During the past 7 months our dedicated and professional Team have been working diligently to prevent the virus from entering into our buildings. The efforts of all our Team Members at MLP Residence has been spectacular – thus far MLP has managed to keep COVID-19 out of the Community, while ensuring that every resident at MLP receives the award-winning care and services which MLP Residence has become synonymously known for during its 20 years of dedicated service.

MLP Residence’s proactive measures with IPAC controls, including enhanced environmental safety precautions; changes to MLP’s visitation policies; ongoing screening and health checks for all residents, staff and visitors for fever and respiratory symptoms; strict social distancing measures by cancelling congregate dining and group activities; regular COVID-19 testing and examination measures at MLP Residence; and our restructured social and wellness programs – are just a few of the main areas where MLP has actuated center-driven procedures and processes to keep everyone safe and healthy.

I am so very grateful for the tireless dedication of our Operations Teams. Our team members are all heroes – as they work around the clock to support and care for our residents, while ensuring that risks for the contagion at MLP Residence is significantly abridged.

I also want to take this opportunity to thank the many families for entrusting us with the care of their loved ones, especially as we navigate through challenging and unchartered waters. In addition, I also want to take this opportunity to thank and appreciate the confidence and dedication of our awesome team members, and their respective families, who have supported MLP during these difficult times. As more cases of COVID-19 are confirmed throughout the Country and with continuing news of outbreaks in senior living and care communities across Canada, I want to share with you all what you can expect from MLP Residence.

First and foremost, we are committed to the health, safety, and well-being of our residents and our Team. As I have stated before, it is at moments like these that we remember our true calling and the reason that has brought us to the senior health care industry. We truly love our residents and greatly appreciate our Team Members – as they all form part of MLP’s extended family!

Secondly, MLP Residence continues to closely monitor and implement protocols received from Public Health Ontario, MSAA, RHRA and ORCA. The safety guidelines applied by MLP Residence also takes into account additional provincial and municipal health departments recommendations. MLP’s preparedness and response to COVD-19 has always been an integrated and comprehensive approach. We have developed at the onset a guide outlining our Operations Team’s activities and initiatives in two detailed documents, namely: COVID-19 Policy and MLP Residence’s Phased Re- Opening Plan. These documents summarize the essential elements of senior living and our commitment and response to COVID-19; including surveillance and preparedness planning, workforce planning and support, supply management, communications, and more. We are happy to share these documents and the clinical resources and tools with anyone who wishes to read them.

Thirdly, we have, over the course of this pandemic, put many precautionary measures in place to respond to and stay ahead of COVID-19 hazards. One of the challenges to the commitment for health and safety has been the shortages of personal protective equipment (PPE) in Canada. To protect our Team and our residents we have sourced thousands of PPE from around the globe to ensure that our safety protocols are not adversely affected due to any potential PPE shortages.

Fourthly, one of the hardest decisions we have had to make, during these months – even before it was mandated by the Province – was to restrict visitors to our Retirement Community, except for end-of-life care. While these changes were necessary — and in line with subsequent guidelines received from provincial and local health officials — it was challenging for us all. During the second wave, as the number of positive cases rise again, we may need to enforce visitation restrictions again in the coming days or weeks. I am confident, that as before, families and loved ones, shall work with our Operations Team to ensure that their loved ones and other seniors at MLP Community, continue to remain safe.

Lastly, isolation and mental well-being are predominantly the two most important challenges for seniors during the current pandemic. Our Operations Team has continually been working hard to enhance the lives of our residents through new and innovative activities that are mindful of social distancing requirements. Smaller groups for shared wellness programs, doorway singing, and one-on- one dedicated activities with our residents and the Activity & Wellness Coordinator are just a few of the many ways that we are supporting and engaging our residents during these trying months. Many in our Community have received gifts of puzzles, crossword, word search or adult colouring books. We are so grateful to families and volunteers in the greater community for their generosity in supporting our residents! Our Teams have shown great courage in these times of uncertainty. Their strength and dedication has been truly inspiring. To honour and recognize these real-life heroes MLP Residence is launching “Honoring Our Heroes” campaign to recognize the commitment and compassion of front-line health workers. I know that you appreciate their efforts as much.

The past several months has been uncharted territory for all, but what is familiar, and reassuring, is the ability of the human spirit to rise up against adversity, to come together, to love and support one another. We are doing everything we can to protect our residents and our Team and will continue this commitment in the days, weeks and months to come.

As before, you all will continue to receive regular and ongoing communication and updates from MLP’s General Manager. These communications shall focus on and inform you about any changes to our operational protocols, updates to health and safety measures at MLP, as well as provide general information about our Residence vis a vis the COVID-19 pandemic, If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to our General Manager for more information or clarifications.

There are brighter days ahead! Keep safe and well.

Dear MLP Family Members;

The past few months have been very difficult for us all, yet we have seen an amazing expression of support for one another. I am comforted by the compassion that is being displayed and remain enthused by how we are all living the motto, “we are in this together”. For all of us, the past few months have been unlike anything we have witnessed in our lifetime. Yet each day, I am inspired by the resilience and fortitude of both our respected residents and our awesome and dedicated team members. As we forge ahead towards returning to “normal operations”, I am confident that we shall be able to look back at this time and be gratified that we made the best of a difficult situation with utmost empathy and consideration. As the number of COVID-19 cases in our Province continues to decline, our health care partners and Management at MLP Residence continue to work together to ensure safe and graduated re-opening of our operations. As we continue to monitor the situation on a daily basis and develop a comprehensive and detailed plan, designed to protect the safety and well-being of all our residents and team members, our General Manager is committed to providing these details and updates to all of our residents and their families by way of emails and telephone calls.

We are delighted that we can now allow family visits, albeit with restrictions, indoors. We know how challenging it has been for residents and families to be apart over these past few months; and are aware how rewarding and wonderful it is to permit families back. In this regard, MLP Residence shall continue to provide information directly to you with regards to the visitation policies, as they evolve, as well as specifics on overall re-opening initiatives in our Community. As many of you are aware, we chose to test every resident and team member at MLP for COVID-19 in early May, and then again, this month. We are pleased to state that all members of our Community were negative for the virus both times. The great progress we have made is a testament to the diligent efforts of our team in following the policies and protocols required to fight the threat of this dangerous virus. It is also a testament to the support and compliance of all our residents and their family members (respecting our visitation protocols). I am looking forward to the day when we can meet in person to share our appreciation and begin our return to usual operating conventions. Until such time, I wish you all good health and my gratitude for your continued support.

Staying in touch and connected with loved ones is a priority for all of us at MLP Residence. With so much happening so quickly, it is now more important than ever to have reliable and trusted sources of information. Hence, our General Manager continues to share updates through her weekly emails and phone calls to all residents’ families. If you have further questions pertaining to our operations or the care your loved one is receiving, please do not hesitate to reach out – as we are committed to transparency and the sharing of information.

We remain dedicated to our residents, your loved ones. Again, I wish to take this opportunity to thank the residents, families and our team for their support, cooperation and patience over the past three months.

We will continue to implement local and provincial rules, guidelines and directives as we proceed through our Phased Re-Opening Plan. The safety and well-being of our residents and team is always our top priority, and we’ll continue to do everything in our power to provide the best possible engagement and support for them. It’s been a difficult period, but we’re excited to take proactive and socially distanced measures as we move towards normal operations.