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 Visitation to Elim and read answers to Frequently Asked Questions.
We continue to be actively engaged with the Ministry of Health and the Fraser Health Authority to stay apprised of new information.
STATUS OF FULL CARE
Full Care neighbourhoods may be classified as follows with regards to visitation:
- Limited—Essential Visitation permitted, along with one Single Designated Visitor
Neighbourhoods without classification follow established visitation guidelines, as listed below.
Updates are made within 24 hours of a status change. Last updated: Friday, May 27, 2022 at 12:19pm
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Harrison West
- 2 West
- 3 West
- 4 West
The Harrison
- 1 South
- 1 East
- 2 South
- 2 East
- 2 North
- 3 South
- 3 East
- 3 North

Visitation at Elim Village
This information is relevant to those visiting residents living in Elim’s Assisted Living (The Emerald) or Full Care buildings (The Harrison or Harrison West). Two visitor designations exist for visitors of these buildings, as per the Ministry of Health: Essential Visitor and Single Designated Visitor.
The Essential Visitor is one whose visits are linked with an essential need of a resident that could not be met in the absence of the essential visit. Examples of an Essential Visit include palliative care and visits for supported decision-making. Facility staff determine if a visit is essential.
The Single Designated Visitor is one able to visit and support a resident without restriction on frequency or duration of visits, including if visitation is limited for a neighbourhood or building (such as during an outbreak).
All other visits / visitors are considered social visits / social visitors.
Visitation hours have been established for each care building, seven days a week:
- Emerald: 9am – 9pm. Visitors are screened at the Emerald reception.
- Harrison & Harrison West: 9am – 8pm. Visitors are screened / tested at the Harrison reception.
Full visitation guidelines are listed below.
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- Social visits occur when there is no active COVID-19 outbreak, or when there are no limitations on visitation. In the event of an outbreak (or if an area has visitation limits), social visitation is suspended until the outbreak is declared over / limits are removed. Essential Visitors and Single Designated Visitors are still permitted.
- Social visits are not permitted if the resident or visitor is sick, or has symptoms of COVID-19.
- Social visits occur during designated visiting hours.
- Visitors must be fully vaccinated to enter an Elim care building. Limited exceptions exist for those with an approved medical exemption or for children 11 years and under.
- Visitors are screened upon arrival and must provide proof of vaccination (BC Vaccine Card).Â
- Visitors of the Harrison / Harrison West are rapid-tested up to 2 – 3 times per week. Testing occurs at the building entry along with screening. Visitors can also rapid-test at home within 48 hours of a visit onsite—verbal confirmation of a negative rapid test is required at the visitor screening.
- All visitors must wear a medical mask when in common areas of a care building. Visitors to The Emerald, if fully vaccinated, may remove their mask when in an Emerald resident suite. Visitors to the Harrison / Harrison West may remove their mask in a resident room if it is single occupancy.
Frequently Asked Questions
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[new] Are there any restrictions on visitation in the Harrison and Harrison West?
- As of May 17, 2022, limitations for social visitors may be in effect for certain Full Care neighbourhoods; please reference the drop-down menu at the top of this webpage to learn more.
[updated] Where can I get more information on the booster dose (4th dose of COVID-19 vaccine?)
- For more information on COVID-19 booster vaccines, visit the BC Centre for Disease Control HERE.
Can I visit a resident at the same time with another friend / family member?
- Yes. There are no longer limits on the number of visitors coming to a building. Multiple people may jointly visit a Full Care resident together.
How do I become an Essential Visitor?
- The Essential Visitor designation has a narrow eligibility as determined by the Provincial Health Officer, and relates to visits deemed essential in nature, such as end-of-life care. If you would like to review your visitor status to learn if you are eligible to become an Essential Visitor, please contact Jennifer Ladesma, Director of Care, at 604-587-8999 ext 4003 or jladesma@elimvillage.com.
What is a Single Designated Visitor?
- A Single Designated Visitor is one individual who can continue to visit a resident even if visitation is restricted, such as during an outbreak. This designation cannot rotate between family members or friends; it must remain the same person.
How do I become the Single Designated Visitor?
- Elim has already contacted the first contact of each Full Care resident to determine the identity of the Single Designated Visitor.
Why do I have to get rapid tested? I’m fully vaccinated.
- Elim is required to follow the directives given to us by our health authorities; the requirement to rapid-test visitors is a mandate issued by our regional Medical Health Officer.
I want to rapid-test in advance of my visit; where do I get a test kit from?
- Please contact your local pharmacy to learn if they have test kits available.
- The Village Pharmacy onsite at Elim Village Fleetwood can provide test kits to those eligible while supplies last. Contact The Village Pharmacy to learn more: 604-589-0012
My loved one lives in Full Care; How can I get their BC Vaccine Card?
- You can generate a BC Vaccine Card for your loved one through the provincial government’s website. You will need to enter their Personal Health Number, Date of Birth, and the Date of Vaccine for either their first or second dose.
- Elim has the Date(s) of Vaccine information on file for all Full Care residents. To learn this information, please have the resident’s first contact phone the neighbourhood nurse.
How long can I stay for a visit with a resident?
- There is no time limit on the length of your visit, however, please adhere to the visiting hours established for the building.
How frequently can I visit a resident?
- There is no limit on the frequency of visits.
Are you still offering tours?
- We invite you to view our video tour to picture what life is like in Elim’s Full Care buildings. Please visit our Full Care web page to view it.
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My parent lives in the Emerald and wants to get their BC Vaccine Card. How can they do this?
- Emerald residents can generate a BC Vaccine Card through the provincial government’s website. They will need to enter their Personal Health Number, Date of Birth, and the Date of Vaccine for either their first or second dose.
- Emerald residents who were vaccinated onsite at The Emerald can obtain their Date(s) of Vaccine from the Emerald reception desk.
I’m a visitor who is not vaccinated. I understand I cannot enter the building, but can I take my loved one offsite, or go for a walk with them?
- Yes. Please arrange with the resident directly to have them meet you outside the Emerald building.
Do I have to wear a mask for my whole visit?
- All visitors must wear a medical mask when in the common areas of the Emerald.
- Fully vaccinated visitors are permitted to remove their mask when in a resident room.
How long can I stay for a visit with a resident?
- There is no time limit on the length of your visit, however, please adhere to the visiting hours established for the building.
How frequently can I visit a resident?
- There is no limit on the frequency of visits.
Are you still offering tours?
- Yes, we are able to offer tours to The Emerald at this time. To arrange a tour, please contact the Presentation Centre by phone at 604-582-5579 or by email at info@elimvillage.com
- Please note that all tour participants will need to demonstrate proof of full vaccination to be admitted to The Emerald for a tour.
- For those unable to tour in-person, please visit our Assisted Living web page to view a video tour.
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My parent lives in Independent Living and wants to get their BC Vaccine Card. How can they do this?
- Independent Living residents can generate a BC Vaccine Card through the provincial government’s website. They will need to enter their Personal Health Number, Date of Birth, and the Date of Vaccine for either their first or second dose.
- For Date of Vaccine, Elim held two vaccination clinics for Independent Living residents: Most residents received their first dose at the clinic held on March 3, 2021 and their second dose at the clinic held on June 8, 2021.
- Some residents may have received one or both doses outside of Elim’s vaccination clinics. For these residents, they should consult the paper immunization record provided to them at the time of their appointment. If a resident cannot locate their immunization record, they can call 1-833-838-2323.
Can I visit my family member / friend who lives in Independent Living?
- You are free to visit your family member / friend in Independent Living. Please contact your family member / friend directly to discuss their comfort level with the easing restrictions.
Are you still offering tours?
- Yes. Please contact the Presentation Centre at 604-582-5579 or at info@elimvillage.com during regular office hours to book a tour.
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 The Village Pharmacy onsite is open. Hours of operation are Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm, and Saturday, 10am – 2pm.