Dear Bethania MPCH Families and visitors,
We are experiencing increased frequency of a couple of safetyconcerns at Bethania Mennonite Personal Care HOME and need your help to prevent it and spread the word to visitors who may not have their email registered with us.
There are 2 issues of concern.
- There has been a sharp increase in residents following visitors out through the front doors. Frequently, these residents are not cognitively aware of their surroundings and will walk into traffic if they make it to the end of our parking area.
- There has been increased frequency of people banging on the glass doors (or occasionally ringing the bell) demanding entry to the PCH- “Let me in”.
What you can do to help with concern #1:
- Share this email with friends and family who visit the PCH.
- Always look behind you to see if a resident is following you.
- Wait at the sliding door for it to close before proceeding to the exit doors.
- Do not proceed to the exit door with your access card until you are certain that you are not being followed by a resident.
- Gently remind visitors that you notice not practicing this that the residents’ safety is at risk. It is important that we support and encourage each other and model the behaviour so others understand how to conduct themselves in this environment.
What you can do to help with concern #2:
- Share this email with friends and family who visit the PCH.
- If you don’t have an access card, please ring the bell so front office staff or nursing staff are notified that someone is waiting for entry.
- Clearly and respectfully advise why you are requesting entry, and who you are here to visit. Imagine you are asking to enter a friend or colleague’s home.
- If someone is waiting for entry and you have an access card, please DO NOT allow them in with your card/wait until they are looked after before using your card to enter the building. We do get individuals who what to enter the home with unknown intentions.
- Please remember that this is HOME to 148 vulnerable residents. This is not a “public” space- such as a hospital or clinic or a retail space- it is private property.
The front entry is monitored by surveillance cameras. Please don’t be the reason we have to call a family to advise them of harm that has come to their loved one because of either of these concerns.
On behalf of the Board and Management of the Bethania Group, we thank you for your attention to these matters and your assistance in keeping our residents safe.