The coronavirus, or COVID-19, is impacting each of our lives. We want you to know that the health and safety of residents in our care is our highest priority.
Below you can learn about Social Visitation at Elim, Virtual Visits, and read answers to Frequently Asked Questions organized according to housing type.
We continue to be actively engaged with the Ministry of Health and the Fraser Health Authority to stay apprised of new information.
New Allowances
New allowances relating to social visitation for residents of Assisted Living and Full Care took effect on April 1, 2021. These allowances include:
- Residents may see up to two adult visitors at a time, plus a child (age 18 or younger);
- Residents may have physical contact with visitors
- Additional guests may be present for outdoor visits
- Social visits may occur in resident suites
The Visitation Centre remains open to effectively manage these allowances and facilitate requests for in-room visits.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Are you still offering tours?
- At this time, we are not scheduling in-person tours, however, a virtual tour of our Full Care buildings is available on our Full Care web page (CLICK HERE). Contact the Presentation Centre by phone at 604-582-5579 or by email at info@elimvillage.comduring regular office hours with any questions you have.
How can I visit my loved one?
- You can have a social visit with your loved one through an in-person visit at our Visitation Centre, an in-room visit in the resident’s room, or through a virtual visit. Essential visits are only approved for compassionate reasons or if a resident’s condition has declined and meets assessment criteria warranting the need for an essential visit.
- Information about Social Visitation is located further down on this web page.
- Virtual visits are especially helpful for those who don’t live locally. If you would like to book a virtual visit, call the main reception at 604-583-3546 to be directed to our wellness team to book an appointment, or email wellness@elimvillage.com
I want to take a resident offsite. Can I?
- Please contact Terry-Lynn Dryfhout, Manager of Community Relations, at 778-996-7755, or tld@elimvillage.com to discuss.
I’ve booked an in-room visit. Can I take the resident for a walk?
- If you’d like to take a resident outside for a walk, please book a separate visit with the Visitation Centre, at one of our Gazebo locations.
- For health and safety reasons, in-room visits must remain within the room itself.
Can I bring food / have a meal during my in-room visit?
- Masks must be worn at all times by social visitors as per safety measures still in place by Order of the Provincial Health Officer.
How long can we stay for an in-room visit? / Can I stay longer than an hour?
- In order to accommodate the large volume of requests for social visits and to maintain the safety of residents, staff and visitors, we prefer visits remain one-hour in length. If you would like to book visits longer than one hour, please contact Terry-Lynn Dryfhout, Manager of Community Relations, at 778-996-7755 or tld@elimvillage.com
Do the allowances that took effect on April 1, 2021 affect Essential Visits?
- The new allowances are in relation to social visitation only. Essential visits are a separate matter. Our current process for Essential Visitation remains unchanged.
I’m an Essential Visitor, can I combine that now with a social visit?
- The Provincial Health Officer has not made changes to the policies around Essential Visits. As per the guidelines, essential visits are limited to one visitor at a time.
Can I give a care package to my loved one in Full Care?
- We are happy to make your loved one’s day brighter with the delivery of a care package from home.Each resident can receive a single package on a weekly basis. We ask that it be no larger than a medium-sized bag. For infection control, the package is isolated for up to seven days prior to delivery.
Follow the below guidelines for permissible content:
- Nonperishable store-packaged food items (no homemade baking or cooked items)
- Personal items i.e. toiletries (new and unopened)
- Books, letters, photos, games, etc.
- Clothing, new or laundered
Packages can be dropped off at The Harrison reception desk (building 9067) or brought to the Visitation Centre. CLICK HERE to print off the form and once filled out, affix it to the package.
How can I celebrate my family member’s birthday?
- Option 1: Book a small virtual birthday party via FaceTime for your family member in their room. Email wellness@elimvillage.com or call Jenn Pook at 604-587-8999 ext 4004 to arrange.
- Option 2: Book a large virtual birthday party via Zoom for the whole family, which the resident can view on a big screen T.V.
- Option 3: Send a birthday gift – gifts or flowers are sanitized and delivered on the resident’s birthday.
- Option 4: Send a birthday greeting – Email pictures / video clips for us to show the resident on their birthday
- Option 5: Order a birthday cake (at cost)– Email catering@elimvillage.com or call Elisa at 604-954-0311 ext 2052 for information on cake flavours.
Can I still go to the Pharmacy?
- Yes, the Rexall Pharmacy on site is open. Hours of operation are Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm.
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Are you still offering tours?
- At this time, we are not scheduling any in-person tours, however, virtual tours of units in the Emerald are available on our Assisted Living web page (CLICK HERE). Please contact the Presentation Centre by phone at 604-582-5579 or by email at info@elimvillage.comduring regular office hours with any questions you have.
How can I visit my loved one?
- You can have a social visit with your loved one through an in-person visit at our Visitation Centre, an in-room visit in the resident’s room, or through a virtual visit. Essential visits are only approved for compassionate reasons or if a resident’s condition has declined and meets assessment criteria warranting the need for an essential visit.
- Information about Social Visitation is located further down on this web page.
- Virtual visits are especially helpful for those who don’t live locally. If you would like to book a virtual visit, call the main reception at 604-583-3546 to be directed to our wellness team to book an appointment, or email wellness@elimvillage.com
I want to take a resident offsite. Can I?
- Please contact Marnie VanEgmond, Manager of Care, at 604-584-7587 ext 2024 or by email at mvanegmond@elimvillage.com to discuss.
Can I bring food / have a meal during my in-room visit?
- Masks must be worn at all times by social visitors as per safety measures still in place by Order of the Provincial Health Officer.
How long can we stay for an in-room visit? / Can I stay longer than an hour?
- In order to accommodate the large volume of requests for social visits and to maintain the safety of residents, staff and visitors, we prefer visits remain one-hour in length. If you would like to book visits longer than one hour, please contact Terry-Lynn Dryfhout, Manager of Community Relations, at 778-996-7755 or tld@elimvillage.com
Can I send my loved one items such as flowers, food, and other items?
- Yes, please bring items to the Emerald reception desk between 9am – 5pm, Monday through Saturday. There will be a form to fill out. Staff will then deliver items to your loved one’s suite.
Are wellness activities still being offered for Emerald residents?
- Yes! We have a full Activity Calendar planned for each month, with activities adjusted to ensure proper safety measures are in place. Access this month’s calendar from our News & Events web page (CLICK HERE)
How can I celebrate my family member’s birthday?
- Each Emerald resident is celebrated on their birthday. Staff offer birthday wishes, sing “Happy Birthday” in the dining room, and gift a card. A few additional options exist, however, to add a personal touch:
- Option 1: Book a virtual birthday party via Zoom by emailing wellness@elimvillage.com. We’ll host the Zoom party on a big screen T.V. in a private decorated room and provide cake for your family member if requested (see Option 3 for how to order a cake).
- Option 2: Book an in-person visit at our Visitation Centre or an in-room visit in the resident’s suite, with the option to invite others virtually through use of your personal smart phone or iPad.
- Option 3: Order a birthday cake (at cost) from our catering menu to be served at either lunch or dinner to fellow residents, or to enjoy together during a pre-arranged visit. Email catering@elimvillage.com or call Elisa at 604-954-0311 ext 2052 for information on cake flavours.
Can I still go to the Pharmacy?
- Yes, the Rexall Pharmacy on site is open. Hours of operation are Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm.
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Can I visit my family member / friend who lives in Independent Living?
- Provincial Health Orders permit personal gatherings of up to five people indoors (or one household) and up to 10 people for outdoor gatherings. Please contact your family member / friend directly to discuss their comfort level with the easing restrictions.
- All British Columbians are required to wear masks when in indoor public spaces, which includes the hallways and elevators of Elim buildings.
Are you still offering tours?
- At this time, we are not scheduling in-person tours. Please contact the Presentation Centre by phone at 604-582-5579 or by email at info@elimvillage.comduring regular office hours with any questions you have.
What can I do if my parent needs care?
- In an emergency, 911 should be contacted first as they have access to our buildings
- If you wish to arrange personal care services for your parent, contact our Manager of Care at 604-584-7587 ext. 2024 and we will work together to best accommodate your parents’ care needs.
Can I order groceries or meals for my parent living in Independent Living?
- You can arrange meal delivery and or groceries by contacting our Community Life representative at 604-584-7587 ext 2000. They can help you arrange daily or weekly meals as well as grocery items.
Can I still go to the Pharmacy?
- Yes, the Rexall Pharmacy on site is open. Hours of operation are Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm.
Social Visitation at Elim
Social visits are intended to support the emotional well-being of residents.
The Visitation Centre operates Monday – Saturday from 9am to 4pm and is located in the Harrison West Chapel / Multi-Purpose Room and nearby Gazebo. It is the central hub for scheduling social visits for residents of The Emerald (Assisted Living) and Harrison / Harrison West (Full Care). It is also responsible for visitor safety orientations for both Visitation Centre visits and in-room visits.
All social visits must be booked in advance. To book a visit, contact our Visitation Scheduler, Monday through Thursday, at 604-583-3546 ext. 4005. On Fridays and Saturdays, call extension 8001. Please notify the schedulers and leave a message if you need to cancel or change an appointment.
Once your visitation time is scheduled, you will receive a confirmation email that includes further direction. Please review the guidelines below in advance of your visit.
Alternative forms of visitation, such as a Window Visit or a Virtual Visit, can also be accommodated. Contact our Wellness team at wellness@elimvillage.com to set up a window visit or a virtual visit using FaceTime/Zoom or Skype.
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- Social visits occur when there is no active COVID-19 outbreak. In the event of a building outbreak, social visitation is suspended for the affected building until the outbreak is declared over for that building
- Social visits are not permitted if the resident or designated visitor is sick, has symptoms of COVID-19, or if the resident lives in a building with a current COVID-19 outbreak
- Social visits must be booked in advance and all visitors identified at time of booking
- Social visitors must arrive 15 minutes prior to their scheduled time for appropriate screening and a safety orientation
- Social visitors must bring and wear a mask for the duration of their visit
- Social visitors must adhere to all other required safety protocols including hand-washing protocols
- Social visits are booked for 30-minutes in the Visitation Centre and up to an hour for in-room visits. If you would like to book visits longer than one hour, please contact Terry-Lynn Dryfhout, Manager of Community Relations, at 778-996-7755 or tld@elimvillage.com
- Social visits take place in pre-determined locations only
