April 2^nd, 2020

A message to all of our valued residents and families,

We wanted to take the opportunity to thank you once again for your incredible patience, support and cooperation during this time. We have all been experiencing many changes in our lives over the past few weeks, and we know this hasn’t been an easy adjustment for anybody. We want to assure you that we are focused entirely on your safety and the safety of our staff as we do our part to help flatten the curve. 

As we continue to follow direction from our Provincial Health Officer and local health authorities and make adjustments to our current protocols, we do want to assure you that our entire Berwick leadership team is examining our operations to see how we may be able to bring some flexibility to our current conditions. In the meantime, we ask that you continue to adhere to our outbreak policies and please ensure that if you must leave the property, that it be absolutely essential. As per Dr. Bonnie Henry, the next two weeks is a critical time period for flattening the curve of transmission in B.C., and the single, most effective way to limit the spread is to stay home. 

We would also like to take this opportunity and update you on a change made to our company-wide housekeeping protocols. For in suite cleaning, we will now be requesting that you go to another room or exit your suite for the duration of the cleaning. Seating will be provided outside of the suite where you can wait. This protocol has been established out of an abundance of caution and to protect our housekeeping staff from further exposure. 

Despite all the darkness surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, moments of joy and laughter are plentiful at our Berwick communities. Here is a broader, inside look into some special moments that have been occurring at your site and the other Berwick sites. These heartwarming moments uniquely capture the remarkable community spirit that surrounds our Berwick’s and something we feel is certainly worth sharing!

• Social Distancing Dance Parties at Berwick Qualicum Beach: https://www.facebook.com/berwickrc/videos/210149670307243/
• Campbell River resident-driven car parade showing support for Berwick by the Sea Residents & Staff

• Joining the ‘Hearts in the Window’ movement, Berwick Comox Valley shares its heart with the local community spreading the simple message of warmth, human solidarity and support for our frontline workers

• This week, Berwick on the Park has initiated Soul Boost Visits for the Residents that include a weekly face to face with the General Manager and a soul-boosting care package
  

• Spirit Day Wednesdays at Berwick House – you never know what to expect when you open the door on, but we can guarantee a laugh or two. 

• An attitude of gratitude is in full force at Berwick Royal Oak where notes from families, residents and staff are on display for all to enjoy

• Serenading Alma on her 100th birthday from the street! Family, friends and Berwick on the Lake staff were determined to celebrate this incredible milestone one way or another: https://vimeo.com/400148951 (password is: 100) 

Now more than ever, we must saver these moments of happiness and joy. Fostering positive emotions can serve as a boost to our immune system, which we need to especially pay attention to during this time.

What we continue to hear is how impactful your messages of encouragement and hope have been, and we please encourage the continuation of the daily inspiration emails by sending them to this address: dailyinspiration@berwickrc.com

We also want to take this moment to recognize our amazing site leaders who have been working tirelessly around the clock, constantly reinventing the way things are done at a site level. We thank them for their invaluable leadership and unwavering commitment to keeping you safe. As always, we remain vigilant in our efforts to do whatever we can to protect our residents and our staff.