Great Place to Work® 2026 Best Workplaces in Healthcare!

Hello everyone, and Happy Summer!

I wanted to give you a bit of an update as we start the summer stretch!

As way of an update, our recent Moving to Make it Happen fundraiser was a tremendous success, and we are deeply grateful to everyone who contributed to making it so impactful. As of June 22nd, over $122K has been raised in support of Thrive Group programs across all our member organizations. A heartfelt thank you goes to our Presenting Sponsor, Plan A Halton Hamilton Haldimand Brant, and our Platinum Sponsor, AUDCOMP, for their generous support. We were also proud to have volunteers from the Lawrie Insurance Group Care Team, as well as enthusiastic participation from Mohawk College students. The event was made even more special with visits from the Hamilton Police Special Horse Unit and the Brantford Bulldogs’ mascot, Bruiser, who brought energy and excitement to the day. A very special thank you for all of you who took a lead role at the various sites and a big shout out to Shari-Lee for leading the charge for all the organizations – well done! We are incredibly thankful for the strong support shown by our staff, clients, residents, families, and our Family & Resident Councils, as well as the many partners and vendors who contributed. The funds raised will go directly toward enhancing and supporting client and resident needs as well as with some much-needed upgrades at some of our sites.

We are also pleased to share that we have successfully completed our Great Place to Work roadshow, during which senior leaders visited 17 sites and delivered a total of 18 presentations across all Thrive Group organizations. These sessions allowed us to share program and team-specific survey results, connect directly with staff, and gain valuable insights into their work experiences. We sincerely appreciated the openness and engagement of everyone who participated. Looking ahead, we plan to run the survey again at the end of September. This year, we are especially proud to have been recertified as a Great Place to Work, recognized as one of the Top 50 Best Workplaces in Canada (1000+ employees) by Great Place to Work Canada, and named on the Most Trusted Executive List and Best Workplaces for Women. On June 23rd Thrive Group was also recognized as a Best Workplace in Healthcare. We are humbled and honoured to receive this recognition, and these achievements are a reflection of the strength and dedication of all Thrive Group team members. A huge thanks to Shelley Westerman for leading us through the survey and facilitating the conversations with the respective teams.

Overall, I would like to take the opportunity to thank everyone for being so committed to supporting our clients and residents and your colleagues. You inspire all of us every day. Here’s to enjoying some of this incredible weather and hoping everyone gets some good down time over the summer with friends and family members.

All the best!

Steve (on behalf of the senior team)

Steve Sherrer M.A. Ed.
Chief Executive Officer
Thrive Group

A Culture of Trust: Honouring Thrive Group’s Most Trusted Executive Team!

Dear Residents, Clients, Staff, Families and Community partners,

We are proud to share that on February 10, 2026, Thrive Group was recognized by Great Place to Work® Canada as one of the 2026 Best Workplaces with the Most Trusted Executive Teams. This marks our third consecutive year receiving this honour, and we are truly grateful and humbled by the recognition.

What makes this achievement especially meaningful is that it is based on the feedback of our staff, shared through the Great Place to Work employee survey in October. Our staff voices matter, and their trust in our leadership and organization is something we value deeply. We are so grateful for their honesty, engagement, and confidence in us.

Trust is at the heart of a strong and positive workplace culture. It enables open communication, collaboration, and a shared commitment to our purpose. When trust is present, we are empowered to do our best work and continue providing exceptional care and service to our clients and residents.

As leaders, we could not do this important work without our teams. We extend our sincere appreciation for our staff’s compassion, dedication, and professionalism they bring each day. We remain committed to earning and upholding their trust—today and always.

Congratulations! I am so proud and honored to work with such an incredible and compassionate team.

Sincerely,

Steve Sherrer M.A. Ed.
Chief Executive Officer
Thrive Group

Dear Residents, Clients, Staff, Families and Community partners,

As we approach the holiday season, our priority remains protecting the health and well-being of everyone who lives, receives care, works, and visits across our sites and programs.

Due to a significant increase in respiratory illness activity and a marked rise in severe Influenza A cases across the province, we will be implementing universal medical masking in all care areas effective Tuesday, December 23, 2025.

What this means effective immediately:

• Staff are required to wear a medical mask upon entering all care areas, including units, home areas, terraces, serveries, nursing stations, and recreation spaces.
• Visitors are required to wear a medical mask when entering care areas. Masks may be removed while visiting within a loved one’s private room, unless additional precautions are required.
• Residents and clients are encouraged to wear a mask when outside their room or unit, as tolerated.
• Masking is in addition to other essential precautions, including hand hygiene and staying home when ill.

A very important reminder for everyone: please do not visit if you are unwell. Even mild symptoms such as a runny nose, sore throat, cough or other symptoms can pose a serious risk. What feels like a small cold to one person can result in severe illness for someone in our care.

We recognize that these measures may feel difficult, especially during the holidays. They are being implemented now to reduce transmission, prevent outbreaks, and safeguard those most at risk. Universal masking will be reviewed regularly and adjusted based on outbreak activity and public health guidance.

Thank you for your continued cooperation, care, and shared commitment to keeping one another healthy and safe.

If you have questions or concerns, please speak with a member of the care team or site leadership.

With appreciation and holiday wishes,    

Lucy Sheehan
Chief Operating Officer

Happy Holidays,
The holiday season is a time for reflection, gratitude, and connection. As we come together at this special time of year, we extend our heartfelt thanks to our clients, residents, staff, families, volunteers, and community partners who make Thrive Group such a caring and compassionate place to live, visit, and work.

 2025 was truly an unforgettable year for Thrive Group, with so much to celebrate:

• Thrive Group was named one of the Top 50 Best Workplaces in Canada
• Peter’s Residence at Chedoke received the Platinum Readers’ Choice Award
• Idlewyld Manor achieved Best Practice Spotlight Organization (BPSO) designation.
• Expanded our Community Connector and Wellness Hubs
• Our Human Resources team welcomed 246 new employees, 52 students, and 103 volunteers.
• Created several new indoor and outdoor spaces for clients and residents through generous donor support.
• Expanded our fee-for-service back-office support to additional non-profit organizations in HR, IT, Organizational Development, Enterprise Risk Management, and Finance
• Celebrated our incredible teams during Staff Appreciation Week
• Hosted our 11th Annual Moving to Make It Happen fundraising event.
• Launched a new online education system for staff.
• Expanded our work with GHHN, OHTs, Family Health Teams, and our Centre of Excellence
• Launched our Leadership Team Development fee-for-service offering for other non-profits.
• Welcomed a new partnership with the Hamilton Sports Group
• Continued the important work of our Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Council

These achievements reflect the dedication, care, and compassion of our teams and the strength of our culture.

Together, we are building stronger communities and a more caring and inclusive health care system. As we look ahead, we remain committed to transforming health care, strengthening relationships, and building a healthier future for all.

We wish you a holiday season filled with peace, joy, love, and hope, and a Happy New Year full of possibility.

With sincere gratitude,
Thrive Group Senior Leadership Team

Welcome Back!
I hope everyone enjoyed a safe, restful, and well-deserved summer. As we step into the fall season, I want to thank you—our staff, families, and partners—for the incredible dedication, support, and compassion you bring to our homes each day. Together, we continue to build an organization and culture we can all be proud of.

Great Place to Work Recognition
I’m thrilled to share that we have once again been recognized by Great Place to Work® Canada—this time as one of the Best Workplaces for Giving Back. This award is a direct reflection of the kindness, generosity, and community spirit within our organization. Whether through volunteerism, fundraising, or going above and beyond for those we serve, each of you plays an important role in helping us live our values inside and outside our walls.

Great Place to Work Survey – September 29th – October 10th
Next month, we will be participating in the annual Great Place to Work Survey. The voices of our staff matter deeply. This survey is an opportunity to share honest feedback about our culture, leadership, and workplace practices. I strongly encourage every staff member to participate. Your input helps us celebrate our strengths while identifying areas where we can continue to grow and improve together. Every response makes a difference.

Staff Appreciation Week – October 6th - 10th
I’m also excited to announce that Staff Appreciation Week is just around the corner. This is our chance to celebrate our incredible team—the heart of our organization. We’ll be recognizing the hard work, resilience, and extraordinary care and service provided every day. Stay tuned for details, and get ready for a week filled with gratitude, celebration, and fun!

Thank you—for everything you do, every day. I am proud of what we have accomplished together and excited for the months ahead.

With gratitude,

Steve Sherrer M.A. Ed.
Chief Executive Officer
Thrive Group

Dear Residents, Clients, Staff, Families and Community Partners,

Great Place to WorkTM Recognition & Moving to Make it Happen Success

I am proud to share on June 10, 2025, Thrive Group has once again earned a place on the Best Workplaces in Health Care List—marking our third consecutive year receiving this honour!

This recognition is especially meaningful because it is based on staff feedback from the Great Place to Work® survey. It is a reflection of the compassion, dedication, and teamwork our staff bring to work each day. Together, we have built a culture rooted in support, respect, and a shared commitment to improving the lives of our clients and residents.

To achieve this honour, Thrive Group underwent a thorough, independent analysis by Great Place to Work®. To be eligible, organizations must be Great Place to Work-CertifiedTM and receive outstanding Trust IndexTM scores directly from their employees.

Moving to Make It Happen does it Again!

Congratulations to the entire Thrive Group community on the incredible success of our 11th annual Moving to Make it Happen event!

This milestone is a true testament to the power of collaboration, community spirit, and shared purpose. From generous sponsors and dedicated staff to supportive families and memorable celebrations across our sites—every contribution mattered.

We are thrilled to share that we surpassed our goal of $100,000—raising a total of over
$127,000 to date! Thank you to everyone who played a part in this achievement through your generosity, participation, and passion. You truly made it happen, and your continued commitment is creating real, meaningful impact across Thrive Group and beyond. A very special thanks to Shari-Lee for leading the charge and for inspiring all our teams to Move to Make it Happen!

Stay Connected

We are always looking for ways to keep you informed and connected across all Thrive Group organizations. Don’t miss our 2025 Spring Newsletter—now available on the Thrive Group website!

Spring 2025 Newsletter

Thank you once again for everything you do. Your dedication is recognized, appreciated, and deeply valued. Wishing you a safe, happy, and restful summer.

With gratitude,

Steve Sherrer

CEO

Dear Residents, Clients, Staff, families, and Stakeholders,

As we welcome the arrival of spring and look ahead to the summer season, it is a wonderful time to reflect on an eventful winter across all Thrive Group organizations. We are excited to share a remarkable achievement and upcoming events.

Great Places to WorkTM (GPTW)

We are proud to announce Thrive Group has once again been certified as a Great Place to WorkTM for the ninth consecutive year! This year, we are thrilled to share for the second year in a row GPTW has recognized us as one of the Top 50 Best Workplaces in Canada! This honor is a testament to the incredible dedication of our staff, residents, clients, and families who contribute to creating a strong, healthy culture where people want to work and live. In April, members of our senior leadership team will be visiting various sites to celebrate this success and explore opportunities to further enhance the work experience for our staff.

Get Ready for an Unforgettable Night with Neon Nostalgic!

We are excited to partner with Theatre Aquarius to present an exhilarating 80s and 90s live video dance party featuring Neon Nostalgic on Saturday, June 21, 2025. Neon Nostalgic is renowned across North America and around the globe as one of the top nostalgia acts, delivering a truly immersive experience by syncing their electrifying live performance with original music videos.

This special event marks our first fundraiser in support of the Thrive Group Centre of Excellence. To purchase tickets, click the link below:

https://theatreaquarius.org/events/neon-nostalgic/

11th Annual Moving to Make it Happen

Join us for the 11th Annual Moving to Make It Happen fundraising event as we strive to reach our goal of $100,000! For over a decade, this event has inspired us to get active while raising awareness about the critical needs of seniors and people with disabilities in our communities. Your support makes it possible for Thrive Group to continue thriving, ensuring that our homes remain exceptional places to live. Our diverse fundraising initiatives, including Moving to Make it Happen, play a pivotal role in improving the quality of life for our residents and clients. Every dollar raised makes a direct and meaningful impact on the programs and services we provide.

Thank you for your ongoing support as we work together to strengthen our communities!

On behalf of the senior leadership team,

Sincerely,

Steve Sherrer

CEO

Dear Residents, Clients, Staff, Families and Community partners,

On February 11, 2025, it was announced by Great Place to Work Canada that Thrive Group has been recognized on the 2025 Best Workplaces with Most Trusted Executive Team list! This is the second consecutive year we’ve received this recognition, and we continue to be so humbled by this. This recognition comes from the feedback many of you provided when you completed the Great Place to Work employee survey in October, which makes it even more special. Thank you for placing your trust in us and we will continue to work hard every day to maintain your trust.

Trust forms the foundation of a positive workplace culture. When we have trust in one another, our leaders and the organization, it fosters collaboration, transparency, and a sense of shared purpose. Trust allows us to feel empowered to continuing providing excellent care and service to our clients and residents. As leaders we could not do this essential work without all of you, and I extend my sincere appreciation for the care, compassion and dedication you bring with you every day.

We are proud to announce the launch of five Community Wellness Hubs in Burlington and Hamilton! As the lead organization, AbleLiving Services has partnered with several community organizations to establish these hubs with base funding provided by Ontario Health. These hubs form a collaborative alliance of health, wellness, housing, and social service providers, working together to deliver integrated and holistic care to older adults and frail seniors who are vulnerable due to social determinants of health. Clients living in or near community housing buildings become valued members of the Hub. Our Guiding Motto: One Team, One Vision, One Plan. This reflects our collective commitment to building capacity and transforming care for seniors. The impact of these hubs is already evident, with membership steadily increasing.

Our team is pleased to share our 2025 – 2029 Strategic Plan.

https://www.thrivegroup.ca/about/#strategy

Congratulations! I am so proud and honoured to work with such an incredible and compassionate team.

Sincerely,

With gratitude,

Steve Sherrer

CEO

Dear Residents, Clients, Staff, Families and Community partners,

This past October, Thrive Group had the pleasure of celebrating “Staff Appreciation Week” with a series of extraordinary events. We are deeply grateful for our staff, as they are what makes Thrive Group the wonderful community it is. We simply could not be the Great Place to Work that we are without their dedication and heart.
In line with this celebration, I am thrilled to announce that, once again, AbleLiving Services, Capability Support Services, St. Peter’s Residence, Idlewyld Manor, and Thrive Group have been certified as GREAT PLACES TO WORK! This recognition is a remarkable achievement that reflects your hard work, commitment, and the compassion our staff bring to work every day. This is another testament to our clients, residents, staff, families, and community partners who contribute to making Thrive Group a healthy culture of kindness, compassion, and care for each other.

This Great Place to Work Certification is a globally recognized designation awarded to
organizations that meet the highest standards in workplace culture. As described by Great Place to Work®, a great workplace is built on trust. It is the trust employees have in their leaders, the pride they feel in their jobs, and the enjoyment they experience working alongside their colleagues.

Receiving this certification based on everyone’s feedback is both humbling and inspiring. Thank you for being such an integral part of our team and for fostering a positive environment that makes a difference every day.

We have officially entered the respiratory season. We are seeing an increased rate of COVID-19 within our community, and the new COVID variant is causing a rapid spread in cases. Unfortunately, some of our sites have already been impacted by COVID outbreaks. As part of our commitment to a safe and healthy environment for everyone, we have implemented a universal masking protocol effective Oct 30th, 2024. This measure is intended to reduce the spread of respiratory illnesses, including influenza, RSV & COVID19, especially during times when we are in closest contact with each other.

We are excited to share our Fall edition of the Thrive Newsletter, where you will find updates, news, and many of our accomplishments.

With gratitude,

Steve Sherrer

CEO

Dear Residents, Clients, Staff, Families and Community partners,

Thrive Group is proud to announce that our organization has been named on the 2024 Best Workplaces list in Health Care. Thrive Group received this honour after a thorough and independent analysis conducted by Great Place to Work®.

The list is based on direct feedback from employees of the hundreds of organizations that were surveyed by Great Place to Work®. To be eligible for this list, organizations must be Great Place to Work- Certified™ and have exceptionally high scores from employees on the Trust Index survey.

Great Place to Work is the global authority on high-trust, high-performance workplace cultures. A global research and consulting firm, Great Place to Work® provides the  benchmarks and expertise needed to create, sustain, and recognize outstanding workplace cultures. In Canada, Great Place to Work® produces both industry and demographic specific Best Workplace™ lists and represents the voices of 500,000 employees across industry. This is part of the world’s largest annual workplace study, recognizing the world's Best Workplaces in a series of national lists including those published by The Globe & Mail (Canada) and Fortune magazine (USA).

Congratulations and thank you to our incredible staff. Thrive Group would not be able to achieve this recognition without each and every one of them. Their compassion, dedication and teamwork are what make us a great place to work. Their commitment to Thrive Groups mission, vision and values enhance the lives of those we serve. Staff feedback in the survey process contributes to this recognition, and for that we are forever grateful.

I am so proud and honored to work with such an incredible team. Wishing you a wonderful summer with family, friends and loved ones.
 
Sincerely,

Steve Sherrer

CEO

Dear Residents, Clients, Staff, Families and Community partners,

It is hard to believe that this year marked our 10th Anniversary of our signature fundraising event - Moving to Make It Happen. We have come a long way over the years, initially planning to raise awareness of Thrive Group, and we were excited to raise $15-20K in the first year to help support our clients and residents. Fast forward ten years and I am thrilled to inform you, we have raised over $127,000 and exceeded our $100,000 goal. This reflects your commitment to truly making a difference for those we are honoured to serve.

One June 1st our Community Services Team hosted our Annual Moving to Make it Happen family and client picnic, and it was an incredible day. It is always great to see our clients and family members come together with our staff and volunteers to have a fun filled day at our Binbrook site.

Thank you to Krista, the Community Services MTMH Planning Committee, the Binbrook team and all the community services staff who got clients ready for the event and for making so many adjustments to routines to ensure everyone could participate. This was another successful summer kickoff event. The food, activities, entertainment, draws and overall relaxed environment was just what everyone needed.  Thanks to the team members who wore the dinosaur costumes – it was a sweltering day, but everyone loved these and it made for fun photos. A special thanks to Kim, our transportation lead who was a real champion getting everyone there and back safely.

We could not have done this without the incredible leadership of Shari-Lee Srigley.  Shari-Lee rises to every occasion and meets and surpasses the challenge making it look so easy.  We all know this is a lot of work and she champions it so well. Shari-Lee has assembled an incredible group of sponsors - the most we have ever had including our Presenting Sponsor - Silenzi Real Estate team. Thank you to our platinum sponsor, AUDCOMP and all our other donors and sponsors, we could not do it without you. Thank-you to Councillor Mike Spadafora, Lawrie Insurance Group, Brantford
Bulldogs, Silver Group Purchasing and out friends at Amazon for coming out to support our day and make it very special for everyone.

Once again, congratulations and we look forward to using these funds to refresh some of our homes and attain much needed equipment and furniture to further enhance the lives of the clients and residents we support.

Please have a safe and enjoyable summer,

Sincerely,

Steve Sherrer

CEO

Dear Residents, Clients, Staff, and Stakeholders,

It is a wonderful time of year as we welcome the spring and start thinking about the summer season starting in the not-so distant future. It has been an incredibly busy winter across all Thrive Group organizations, and we are delighted to provide you with updates about some key milestones.

Great Places to Work TM (GPTW)

As you may be aware we have been certified as a Great Place to Work for the past 8 years. We are excited to inform you GPTW has recognized us as one of the TOP 50 Best Workplaces in Canada! This is in addition to the recognition of our Most Trusted Executive Team award. This is a testament to the great work that each of you, our residents, clients and families have contributed to making our organizations strong with a healthy culture and a place where people want to work and live. In May, some of our senior leaders will be visiting our teams to celebrate the results and determine effective ways to continually improve upon the work experience for our staff.

Launch of Thrive Group Centre of Excellence (COE) In Health Care Innovation

We were excited to celebrate the very successful launch of our COE earlier in April. Many of our engaged stakeholders, including health care partners, system leaders, academic partners, associations, government officials, residents, clients, and families were able to join, meet and discuss how we can work together in new and different ways to promote innovation within our health care system. The two goals of the COE are to support the sustainability of the workforce and improve services and quality of life for adults who need care and support.

Long-Term Care Home 20th Anniversaries

It is hard to believe that our two long-term care homes are both celebrating 20 years of service excellence to residents and families. St. Peter’s Residence at Chedoke originally opened its doors in 2004 as part of the St. Peter’s Hospital system. Idlewyld Manor has a longstanding history in Hamilton dating back to 1846 and celebrates 20 years in the current building everyone enjoys today. St. Peter’s hosted an anniversary celebration in April, and we look forward to the celebration at Idlewyld in May.

Experience Surveys and Quality Improvement

Our dedication to quality service excellence involves input from all our stakeholders, especially those we serve. As you are aware, each year we conduct a survey for our residents and clients to tell us about their experience. Those surveys are now completed, and our programs have the results which are displayed on posters across the sites. We have used input from these surveys to inform the development of our quality improvement priorities and quality improvement plans for this year.

New to the Thrive Group Website

We are always looking for ways to keep you connected and advised of new developments across the Thrive Group organizations. Check out the following new additions to our website:
- Community Report – this is a high-level overview of some of our key accomplishments of the past couple of years – coming to our website soon.

Moving to Make it Happen (MTMH)

Join us for our 10th Annual Moving to Make It Happen fundraising event! We are halfway to our fundraising goal for the event of $100,000. As you are aware, all fundraising proceeds across Thrive Group are spent enhancing care and services for our clients and residents through improving resources, activities, and equipment.

Staying Healthy

We are grateful for those of you who have continued to stay up to date with all recommended vaccines. We continue to encourage following the advice of our public health experts in the prevention of respiratory illnesses. Thank you for following the precautions in place at all our programs and supporting the health and well-being of our staff, volunteers, residents, clients, and family members. If you require additional
information, please reach out to the leaders at the sites. We hope that everyone takes the time to enjoy the spring weather. We look forward to our next communication in June.

On behalf of the senior leadership team,

Sincerely,

Steve Sherrer

CEO

Dear Residents, Clients, Staff, and Stakeholders,

We hope that this message finds you well.  We are delighted to share some wonderful news that highlights the dedication and hard work of our incredible team – our successful 3-year accreditation with the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF).

Receiving this accreditation is a meaningful recognition of our commitment to providing high-quality services and continuously improving the experiences of those we serve. CARF's evaluation process helped us understand and enhance our strengths, and it's heartening to know that our efforts have been acknowledged.

In their final report, CARF noted that Thrive Group provided excellent care for the persons served in its long-term care homes and its various other programs and services. Thrive Group is dedicated to ongoing quality improvement. The organization is highly respected in the community and is dedicated to providing person-centred programs and services to all persons served. Persons served expressed a high level of
satisfaction with the services provided.

This achievement is a shared success, and we want to express our sincere gratitude to our residents, clients, staff, and stakeholders for your ongoing support. Your collaboration is invaluable, and we are truly grateful for the positive impact we can make together.

As we celebrate this milestone, let's continue working together to create an even brighter future for those we serve. Thank you for being an integral part of our journey.

Sincerely,

Steve Sherrer

CEO

Hello everyone,

An early Spring is upon us, and we have all been enjoying the warm weather and sunshine. Over the last
two weeks, we have received updates from Public Health and the Ministry of Health regarding measles and
changes to enhanced masking practices.

Public Health and the Chief Medical Office of Health have noted decreased respiratory infections in the
community and decreased respiratory outbreaks in long-term care homes. Please see a summary of the
changes below which will be in effect as of March 6, 2024:

Masking for caregivers and visitors:
• Masks continue to be recommended, however are not required
• Masks will continue to be available upon entry to all of our sites

Masking for staff:
• Staff will be required to wear a mask based on the Point-of-Care Risk assessments that should be done
before each resident/client interaction
• Staff may consider wearing a mask during prolonged episodes of direct care (longer than 15 minutes)
• Masking will be required following return-to-work guidelines in our Employee Sick Call Decision Tree
• Staff will be required to wear a mask if requested by a resident/client/substitute decision-maker

Enhanced masking may be re-implemented during outbreaks in the affected units and in instances of high
respiratory transmission within the community.

Due to lapses in routine vaccinations, measles has resurfaced in our community. Information has been
shared with our families, residents, clients, stakeholders, and staff about the infection and preventative
measures.

Public Health advises everyone to check their measles vaccine status by contacting their
healthcare provider if uncertain. With March Break travels a week away, it is recommended to consult
with your healthcare provider regarding any additional protective measures.

Thank you for your continued support with keeping our residents, clients and staff healthy.
Stay well and take care,

Steve Sherrer

CEO

Hello everyone,

I hope this message finds you well.  I am delighted to share with you the successful completion of our CARF Accreditation survey, which took place over the past three days.  This comprehensive review involved the dedicated efforts of our staff, residents, clients, families, stakeholders, and leaders, and I am immensely proud of the collaborative spirit that was showcased throughout this process.

 We had the privilege of hosting five CARF surveyors who conducted both in-person and virtual sessions, allowing them to gain a comprehensive understanding of our programs and services.  The interviews and tours, which involved active participation from our residents, clients, staff, and leaders, were instrumental in presenting the essence of what makes our organization so special. 

 I want to express my sincere gratitude to each and every one of you who contributed to this survey.  Your commitment, enthusiasm, and genuine engagement did not go unnoticed.  The dedication of our accreditation leads in preparing for the survey has been commendable. I also want to extend thanks to all of the team members that ensured our sites were tour-ready, provided seamless transportation between locations, extending warm hospitality to the surveyors, and the IT team for keeping us all connected. 

 While we eagerly await the final report from CARF in the coming weeks, the positive feedback received during the interviews reflects the exceptional values that Thrive Group prides itself on. It is evident that our commitment to excellence, person-centered care, and collaborative teamwork resonated with the surveyors.

 We understand that the accreditation process is crucial in validating the quality of our services, and we are confident that the final results will reflect the outstanding efforts of our entire Thrive Group community.  We look forward to sharing the detailed outcomes with you as soon as we receive the official report from CARF.

 Once again, thank you for your unwavering dedication, hard work, and cooperation throughout this process.  Together, we have showcased the strength of our organization and the exceptional care we provide to our residents and clients.

Steve Sherrer

CEO

Happy Holidays Everyone,

The holiday season is a time to pause, reflect and give thanks. As I look back on 2023, I am humbled at the incredible year we have had, the accomplishments we have been able to achieve and the strength that each of our staff demonstrate on a continuous basis to support those we have the privilege to serve.  The commitment of our staff to our values of Teamwork, Honesty, Respect, Innovation, Versatility and Excellence continues to amaze me and I am inspired at how each of you work to keep our clients, residents, family members and your colleagues safe and supported. 

Thrive Group now has 20 locations, serving over 3000 individuals each day under our umbrella organizations: AbleLiving Services, Capability Support Services, Idlewyld Manor & St. Peter’s Residence at Chedoke. We have opened up new services and supports with a commitment to ensuring individuals remain in their homes for as long as they can.

We have enjoyed many celebrations such as staff appreciation events, celebrated our Moving to Make it Happen fundraising event and we were honoured to celebrate Thrive Group’s 10^th Anniversary!  We strengthened our commitment to Family Councils, Resident Councils, Client and Caregiver Councils and we continued to formalize the work of our Equity Diversity and Inclusion Council.  We are preparing for CARF Accreditation and moving towards Best Practice Spotlight Organization Designation and we have continued to be recognized as A Great Place to Work.  We have done all of this as we have continued to help transform the healthcare system.  Together we have had an incredible impact on our communities, changing lives and making a difference every day.  We should all be so proud of what we have accomplished.

As we enter the holiday season, I am filled with immense gratitude for the care, kindness, hard work, dedication, and resilience that our staff, volunteers and family members have shown. Each act of kindness continues to have a positive and profound impact on those we serve. Thank-you from the bottom of my heart for being so dedicated to our vision – your commitment is truly remarkable!

Our future is bright because of what all of you do to make Thrive so successful.  Please take some time over the holiday season to enjoy family, friends and loved ones. Here’s to a joyful holiday season.

Sincerely,

Steve Sherrer

CEO

Hello everyone,

I hope this message finds you well. I wanted to provide you with some important news regarding our organization's upcoming CARF Accreditation Survey and an important update related to masking requirements.

CARF Accreditation Survey: January 24-26, 2024

I am pleased to announce that all of our Thrive Group of organizations will be undergoing its CARF Accreditation Survey from January 24th to January 26th, 2024. This accreditation is a critical milestone in our journey towards excellence in healthcare services and reflects our commitment to providing the highest quality care to our clients and residents. The CARF survey team will review our organization
against its rigorous standards to ensure that we continue to meet and exceed industry best practices.

Masking Requirements Update:

In Compliance with CMOH Guidelines I'm pleased to share that our proactive implementation of masking requirements, which were based on community transmission of respiratory illness, now aligns seamlessly with the directives from the
Chief Medical Officer of Health (CMOH).

Masking requirements include:

1. Masks are Mandatory for All Staff, Students, Volunteers, and Contracted Workers: All individuals working within our long-term care facilities and congregate care sites must wear a mask while in resident or client areas indoors and whenever they cannot physically distance themselves.
2. Visitors in Common Areas: While masks are not mandatory for visitors in resident/client personal rooms, they are STRONGLY encouraged for all visitors when they are in common areas of our homes. This additional precaution will help us maintain a safe environment for everyone.

These measures are being implemented to align with the latest public health guidelines and protect the health and well-being of our residents, clients and staff. Our commitment to providing a healthy and safe environment remains our top priority.

We wish you the best over the coming weeks as winter and the holiday season approaches. Take care.
Sincerely,

Steve Sherrer

CEO

Hello everyone,

On the heels of a heartfelt staff appreciation week earlier this month, we are celebrating at Thrive Group! It’s official - AbleLiving Services, Capability Support Services, St. Peter’s Residence at Chedoke, Idlewyld Manor, and Thrive Group all have been certified as GREAT PLACES TO WORK!

In October we invited our staff to participate in the confidential and anonymous staff survey run by Great Place to Work®. We do this survey each year and seek input from our staff about their experience working as part of Thrive Group. Great Place to Work® is the global authority on high-trust, high-performance workplace cultures. The Great Place to Work Certification is a world-wide designation awarded to organizations meeting the highest standards in workplace culture. Great Place to Work® describes the key factor in building a great workplace is TRUST, and that a great workplace is about the level of trust that employees experience in their leaders, the level of pride they have in their jobs, and the extent to which they enjoy working with their colleagues.

While our achievements in staff engagement are undoubtedly a cause for celebration, let's not forget that staying healthy and resilient is equally vital to the well-being of those who live and work within Thrive Group programs. Just as we've achieved great results through collaboration and shared goals, we must now turn our attention to another important endeavor - ensuring the health and safety of our residents, clients, and workforce.

As the seasons shift, it's essential to take proactive steps to protect ourselves, our families, our colleagues, and those we care for each day. With that in mind, we would like to take a moment to remind everyone of the importance of staying up to date with your vaccines – especially as we see the rise of respiratory infections impacting our community and our care sites.

This year our public health experts are encouraging everyone to obtain a Seasonal Influenza Vaccine and the new COVID-19 XBB vaccine. It is encouraged and safe to obtain these vaccines together when available to do so. Vaccines are available for higher-risk populations now and will be available for the general population in the coming days. Please keep your eye open for vaccine clinics at your family doctors office, local pharmacies, public health clinics or at one of our locations offering vaccine clinics.

Stay well and take care,

Steve Sherrer

CEO

Hello everyone,

We are very excited to announce next week starting October 9th is staff appreciation week across all Thrive Group programs. We are so thankful to our dedicated team of staff that have continued to show care, compassion, kindness and dedication to our residents, clients, loved ones and each other consistently every day. During this week there will be a number of activities and treats to celebrate and thank our staff.

Thrive Group prides itself in recognizing staff through the year in many ways. We also encourage others to recognize and thank our staff. There are a few ways to recognize staff at Thrive Group such as:

• Saying a simple thank you personally or in a note or letter to the staff, team or leader or providing testimonial to our website or social media page.
• Participating in our formalized recognition program called the Heart of Thrive where you can “Recognize a staff member, give a meaningful gift and change a life.” This can be done through our website here: www.thrivegroup.ca by clicking “Donate.” Be sure to add a personalized message to the staff member or team you would like to recognize.
• Other ways can be discussed by contacting Shari-Lee Srigley (ssrigley@thrivegroup.ca) or the site leader.

October is a busy month as we also invite our staff to participate in the confidential and anonymous staff survey run by Great Places to Work ™. We do this survey each year and seek input from our staff about their experience working as part of Thrive Group so that we can continue to enhance engagement an where we can improve as an employer to ensure we are able to attract and retain our most valuable resource – our staff!

October 2023 marks a significant milestone for Thrive Group – Our 10 Year Anniversary! Please take a few moments to check out our video where we celebrate 10 Years of Service Excellence!

Steve Sherrer

CEO

Hello everyone,

As we enter the Fall season, we are already seeing a rise in the number of different respiratory illness in our community, and within some of our sites. In alignment with many of our acute care and non-acute care partners, starting Monday October 2nd, we are reestablishing masking requirements as a proactive measure to protect the wellbeing of our Thrive Group family. This includes:

• All staff are required to wear a mask when they enter any of our long-term care, congregate or shared living sites
• All staff are required to wear masks during all resident/client facing interactions such as during service, care, recreation programming etc.
• Visitors are strongly encouraged to wear a mask when visiting our sites and limit their contact to their own loved ones
• Residents and clients are encouraged to wear masks as tolerated when they are unable to physically distance from others
• Physical distancing is required across all Thrive organizations for all staff breaks and meetings, otherwise masking is required

We understand that this isn’t the news anyone was hoping to hear, however we are working to prevent further spread and outbreaks as respiratory cases are on the rise. We continue to monitor the infection rates, directions that may come from our public health authorities and the actions taken by our partner organizations. As a reminder, please refrain from coming to any of our sites if you are feeling unwell.
Stay well and take care,

Steve Sherrer

CEO

Hello everyone,

We have reached the end of the unofficial summer as many of our staff and loved ones are starting a new school year. We hope that everyone has enjoyed some time over the summer to relax and recharge. As we enter the fall, we have a number of things to prepare for, look forward to and to celebrate.

Respiratory Season

We are anticipating yet another challenging respiratory season as a result of the ever-evolving COVID-19 virus as well as other seasonal respiratory illnesses including Influenza and RSV. Over the summer months, many of our pandemic precautions were reduced such as universal masking, rapid antigen testing and active screening when entering any of our buildings. With these precautions removed, we ask that everyone act with the utmost diligence to keep our residents, clients and staff healthy and safe. We have all learned a lot about staying healthy over the last few years and want to reinforce a few reminders:

1. Please do not visit if you are ill or experiencing any respiratory or gastrointestinal symptoms. A simple scratchy throat can evolve into an outbreak in one of our congregate settings causing illness to those we care for and could also lead to staffing shortages.
2. Masks continue to be available at all of our sites and visitors and staff are welcome and encouraged to use them. At this time, masking is optional, however, this may change should we see an increase in cases in our community or we experience an outbreak at one of our sites.
3. Please stay up-to-date with your vaccines for Influenza and COVID-19. This is a message we continue to support for all our clients, residents, staff and loved ones. Once the fall vaccines become available, we recommend you follow the guidelines of public health and obtain vaccines where available.
4. Clean your hands well and often. It might be time to re-fill your personal alcohol-based hand rub containers you carry with you or keep in your car. We will continue to have this available for everyone at all of our sites.

Thrive turns 10!

We are excited to celebrate Thrive Group’s 10 Year Anniversary this fall! Thrive Group was formed by the integration of AbleLiving Services and St. Peter’s Residence at Chedoke in 2013. The goal of creating Thrive Group was to bring together like-minded organizations, to develop and deliver quality services that are responsive and innovative, enhance collaborative approaches to service provision, inform government directives and influence health care system transformation, and create efficiencies and reduce duplication. Over the years, we welcomed Capability Support Services and Idlewyld Manor into the family. Thrive Group has developed a strong reputation in the healthcare community with a commitment to customer service excellence.

Accreditation 2023

Our teams across Thrive Group are preparing for our accreditation survey expected to take place in either November or December of this year. Our last accreditation survey was an abbreviated virtual survey that took place in 2020, during the height of the pandemic. We are looking forward to inviting the surveyors to our sites to showcase and share with them all of the excellent care and services we provide!
Great Places to Work™

During the first two weeks of October, our teams will be invited to participate in our annual staff engagement survey. Our survey is conducted by Great Places to Work, which provides a confidential process for staff to share their experiences working for our organizations.

Staff Appreciation Week

Also in October, during the week of Thanksgiving we are planning our staff appreciation week. We look forward to celebrating the great work done by our team and reflect on how thankful we are to have such a dedicated and committed team to work with each day. All sites and programs will have a number of activities planned to share in some spirit and fun during that week.

We look forward to sharing more updates with you later this fall.

Stay well and take care,

Steve Sherrer

CEO

Hello everyone,

As our summer season gets underway, our thoughts are with those impacted by the devastating forest fires happening in Quebec and northeastern Ontario. As a result of those fires, we are experiencing an Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) advisory related to the high levels of pollution due to smoke from the fires. We are anticipating that the poor air quality may persist into the weekend. You can monitor here for the most up to date information on the Air Quality Health Index.

As a precaution, we are encouraging residents and clients to stay indoors and we will continue to monitor air quality over the course of the week and weekend. We are also encouraging all of our programs to keep the windows closed at this time.

As a reminder, stay indoors if you are feeling unwell. Stop outdoor activities and contact your health care provider if you or someone in your care experiences shortness of breath, wheezing (including asthma attacks), severe cough, dizziness or chest pains.

People with lung disease (such as asthma) or heart disease, older adults, children, pregnant people, and people who work outdoors are at higher risk of experiencing health effects caused by wildfire smoke. Stop or reduce your activity level if breathing becomes uncomfortable or you or someone in your care feels unwell.

Stay safe,

Steve Sherrer

CEO

Hello everyone,

It has been an extremely exciting time for Thrive Group organizations! Over this past week we had a ministry visit/announcement at Idlewyld Manor, the client/family picnic at Binbrook and held our ninth annual signature fundraising event - Moving to Make It Happen at many of our sites.

We set an ambitious target of $100,000 and we have surpassed this goal raising over $110,000! Wow, there is a lot to celebrate. We know that this amount will continue to grow over the coming weeks at which time we will announce the finalized total. Stay tuned for more details over the next couple of weeks.

A fundraising event like this takes a phenomenal amount of planning and the support of our entire team. Thanks to AUDCOMP, our Presenting Sponsor and all our other sponsors who have supported us in this event. So many clients, residents, family members, staff, volunteers, and friends of Thrive have contributed to make this happen. It means so much to have had the opportunity to participate in some of the events over the past few days - to see all of you singing, dancing, and having so much fun together is so heartwarming. The culture is alive and strong thanks to you!

An incredibly special thanks to our champion and dedicated guru of fundraising Shari-Lee Srigley, who continues to amaze all of us and makes a challenging job look so easy. I know in talking with Shari-Lee that she would state that this is a true team effort and that she is successful because of all your help, support, and commitment.

It is exciting to know that the funds raised will be supporting vital equipment, our commitment to wellness, indoor and outdoor furnishings and additional program and recreation supports. Congratulations everyone.

Take good care and have a safe and enjoyable summer!

Steve Sherrer

CEO

Hello everyone,

Late last week we received a new set of COVID-19 precaution changes which our teams are working to prepare to implement starting Friday March 31st and in the days that follow.

With the challenging respiratory illness season now behind us, the public health experts have identified that the high vaccine uptake among our residents/clients and the availability of safe and effective therapeutics (such as antiviral medication) have minimized the risk of severe outcomes and it is now time to recalibrate our current response measures.

The Ministry of Long-Term Care (MLTC) is working closely with the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health (OCMOH) to normalize and embed effective COVID-19 response measures into routine operations, including winding down COVID-specific policies through a phased approach.
The first phase of winding down measures for those visiting, living, and working in our long-term care and community settings include:

Removal of Asymptomatic Screen Testing (or Rapid Antigen Testing)

With the widespread availability of vaccines and antivirals, adherence to the new Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) Standard, and the high levels of immunity in the general community, there is no evidence to support the need for ongoing asymptomatic screen testing requirements.

• Effective March 31st, 2023 visitors and staff will no longer be required to rapid test upon entry to our buildings
• If you are experiencing symptoms of any illness (runny nose, cough/congestion, nausea, diarrhea etc.), please do not come in to the site until your symptoms are resolved.
• All of our programs will have rapid antigen test kits available for asymptomatic staff or visitors requesting to complete a test – however these tests do NOT permit individuals with symptoms of a communicable infection into any of our programs.

Visitor and Employee Passive Screening

• Screening will become Passive Screening as we are no longer required to do Active Screening.
• All staff and visitors will still be required to self-monitor for any symptoms of any communicable infections and should NOT enter any of our sites if experiencing ANY symptoms.
• When visitors arrive at the site, you will be required to independently review posted screening questions. There will no longer be a staff person verifying your screening. You will then sign into the visitor log completing all requested information. You are required to sign-out when you leave the visit.
• Upon entry to our sites, all visitors and staff will still be required to perform hand hygiene and apply a new medical mask before proceeding to the unit/floor.

Visitor Policy Updates

A number of changes will be made to our visiting policy, which is currently being updated. We will share this policy widely and post it on our website once it is finalized. Some of the changes will include:

• Visitors are no longer required to provide proof of vaccination.
•  There will be no limit on the numbers of visitors, unless there is an outbreak at the site.
• Booking of visits for general visitors is no longer required.
• Residents/clients or substitute decision makers may designate caregivers as essential visitors through the regular process outlined in the visiting policy

Physical Distancing

• Physical distancing and cohorting for resident programs are no longer a requirement
• Staff are still required to be physically distanced at break times when they are not wearing masks.

Masking

• Masking requirements remain in place for all staff when indoors and when outdoors with residents/clients.
• Masking requirements remain in place for all visitors when indoor in common or shared spaces or rooms, masks may be removed in private resident/client rooms or when visiting outdoors.

Vaccinations

Part of the reason we can reduce these precautions is related to the high vaccine rates among our residents/clients and the immunity within our population. We continue to encourage all residents, clients, visitors and staff to remain “up-to-date” with your COVID-19 and seasonal Influenza vaccines.

Daily Resident/Client Screening

All residents and clients will continue to be screened for symptoms of any infectious illness as part or our routine infection prevention and control screening practices. This means that temperatures checks are not required daily as general screening. Only residents/clients demonstrating any symptoms will require a documented screening/assessment followed by immediate action to reduce transmission such as isolation precautions and cohorting.

We understand that there may be mixed feelings about some of these precaution changes. Our leaders and teams will continue to monitor for risk, and we will manage them in alignment with the current guidelines and directives with support from our infection prevention and control leads and our partners at our local public health units.

Stay well and take care,

Steve Sherrer

CEO

December 7th, 2022

Hello everyone,

We are only a couple of weeks away from the holidays and infections are already taking full advantage of opportunities to mix and mingle in the community. Layering the COIVD-19 pandemic with an Influenza epidemic on the heels of a major RSV surge, we are seeing more and more long-term care homes, community programs and hospitals show up on outbreak listings. Local children’s hospitals are overwhelmed and schools are seeing epic levels of absences. Cases of Influenza and COVID-19 are expected to soar in the month of December. We are asking that all of you, our stakeholders support the efforts to keep our residents, clients and staff healthy and safe.

This message today comes with a big plea to get vaccinated for Influenza and COVID-19. We are asking all residents, clients, staff, families and loved ones to get immunized.

The INFLUENZA VACCINE is a GOOD MATCH this year for the circulating strain. Influenza vaccines are safe and effective at preventing serious illness caused by Influenza viruses.

The COVID-19 VACCINE has been a GAME CHANGER in the pandemic in that it has significantly reduced the impact of serious illness and death linked to COVID-19 infections.

Local pharmacies book appointments and some accept walk-ins. Check the pharmacies in grocery stores, big box stores and some of the smaller independent ones too! We also have the GO VAXX bus coming to our Binbrook site that is providing COVID-19 vaccines – available to anyone on December 9th from 12 to 5.

Both vaccines take about two weeks to offer protection, so please get your vaccines as soon as possible so that you are bringing your best immunity to the upcoming holiday festivities!

Stay well and take care,

Steve Sherrer

CEO

November 18th, 2022

Hello everyone,

Staying consistent is not something that this pandemic has done. Continually over the past two and a half years we have adapted and shifted related to the changing circumstances caused by COVID-19. Unfortunately, our health care system and all of us are plagued with a strong resurgence of two additional viruses, Influenza and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV). Once again, the hospitals are overloaded with patients needing acute and intensive care, and a large population of this is sadly now children.

Early this week Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Kieran Moore, issued a strong recommendation for Ontarians to wear masks in all indoor public spaces. As you know, masks continue to be required indoors for staff, visitors and others entering our homes. While not required, masks are strongly recommended for caregivers and visitors when they are alone with clients and residents in their rooms.

Dr. Moore also stressed the importance of continued screening, testing, and rigorous IPAC practices, and ensuring that all residents and clients are offered the COVID-19 bivalent booster and seasonal influenza vaccine as soon as possible. It is strongly recommended that residents, clients, staff and visitors receive both vaccinations, which can be safely administered at the same time, as high uptake is key to preventing severe illness amongst our vulnerable population and ensuring our workforce is healthy and available to provide care.

Some key reminders at this time:

1. Get your Influenza vaccine if you have not already.
2. Obtain your Bivalent COVID-19 vaccine as soon as you are eligible (90 days after your last vaccine or infection).
3. If you have ANY respiratory symptoms at all (even if you test negative for COVID-19) – do not visit or attend any of our sites. A “little cold” for you may be life threatening to others.

We will be modifying our COVID-19 testing protocol over the next week that continues to require daily testing for all staff and visitors. We have seen several cases of re-infection in the 90 days post COVID-19 infection, so we have decided to resume daily rapid testing for staff that have a resolved infection. Visitors and caregivers are also welcome to resume daily rapid testing after recovery from a COVID-19 infection.

Everyone entering our sites has a shared responsibility to do what they can to protect our residents, clients and our dedicated staff. Our teams continue to practice and hone their skills in outbreak prevention and management. We utilize our supply chains and resource management to always ensure sufficient levels of PPE and infection prevention and control supplies.

Take care and stay well,

Steve Sherrer

CEO

October 13th, 2022

Hello everyone,

On the heels of a beautiful fall weekend and reflecting on what we are thankful for, there are a number of things that come to mind in terms of the progress made in the fight against COVID-19. The vaccine has been an incredible game-changer to the outcomes experienced by residents, clients, staff and the population as a whole. As the world continues to find the right balance in the ever-changing landscape of the pandemic, we received some new guidelines for COVID-19 precautions late last week from the Ministry. We will be working to have most of these changes in place by Friday October 14th. Below are the highlights of the changes we are working to implement.

Staying “up-to-date” with vaccines – We continue to encourage everyone to stay up-to-date with your COVID-19 vaccines. All adults over the age of 18 are eligible to obtain the bivalent vaccine 6 months after your last vaccine (or COVID-19 infection). Health care workers, essential caregivers, residents and clients are eligible 3 months after their last vaccine (or infection). Please check your eligibility and continue with your vaccination schedule. We also encourage everyone to obtain their seasonal Influenza vaccine as well!

COVID-19 Vaccine requirements continue – Our vaccine policy remains in place for staff and the visiting policy continues to outline COVID-19 vaccine requirements for indoor visitors and caregivers.

Self-Monitor with attention - Paying close attention to how you are feeling is very important. A “cold”, a scratchy throat, some new nasal congestion or even additional fatigue could be an indication of COVID-19 infection. We have had several incidents where someone has tested positive on a rapid test and then will identify that they in fact had a symptom(s) on the list of COVID-19 symptoms.

Screening –Active screening by a screener continues to be a requirement for all visitors and caregivers. We may be working to modify the screening processes for staff based on the changing guidelines in the coming weeks.

Rapid testing – We have decided to continue to require daily rapid testing for all staff and visitors entering our homes as we continue to identify positive cases regularly through this approach. We continue to encourage the use of the most accurate sample collection that includes swabbing inside the mouth (or the throat) in addition to the nose.

Mask use by caregivers and visitors – We continue to require universal masking at all programs and homes that provide care and services. The Ministry continues to recommend (but no longer requires) caregivers and visitors to wear masks when alone in a resident/client room (1:1 scenarios). This would also include eating/drinking in resident/client rooms. If the resident or client is in a shared room, alternative accommodations will need to be considered and masks must be worn. Visitors must wear masks in all other areas inside of the home or when any staff are present in the resident/client room. Masks are no longer required for outdoor visits. Staff masking is still required at all times.

Visitor limits – The Ministry has lifted their limits on numbers of visitors permitted to visit at a time. Each program and site has reviewed visiting limits that are permitted to optimize and support physical distancing. That information will be shared directly from the program you are a part of.

Physical distancing – Is still very much encouraged. Residents/clients, staff and visitors are encouraged to continue to practice physical distancing and urged to avoid situations like crowded places in which COVID-19 may spread more easily.

Isolation & Testing of Residents & Clients – Several changes to the precautions have been made to decrease the impact to residents and clients related to isolation and testing. The changes are as follows:
Post absence - isolation is no longer required unless the resident/client is symptomatic or tests positive for COVID-19
Admission/readmission/transfer – isolation and testing is not required unless coming from an outbreak site
Close contacts – residents/clients that are a close contact of a person with COVID-19 are no longer required to isolate, unless they have symptoms or they are the roommate of someone positive with COVID-19

These precautions will take some adjusting for everyone. The approach to COVID-19 is changing and finding that balance of caution and normality is the goal. Our dedicated staff continue to practice and hone their skills in outbreak prevention and management. We utilize our supply chains and resource management to always ensure sufficient levels of PPE and infection prevention and control supplies.

Take care and stay well,

Steve Sherrer

CEO

July 15th, 2022

Hello everyone,

Here we are in mid-July and in what appears to be the seventh wave of this COVID-19 pandemic, a couple months
earlier than originally anticipated

The case numbers of COVID-19 infections are similar to the early winter months. We are seeing significant
amounts of community transmission of infection related to the very high transmissibility of the newest variants
and the decrease in the wide-spread public health precautions. These high case numbers put all our programs,
sites and homes at risk of outbreak affecting our residents, clients and staff in very significant ways. The following
strategies will help us through this current wave of the pandemic:

Self-monitoring and screening – Paying close attention to how you are feeling is very important. A scratchy
throat, some new nasal congestion or even additional fatigue could be an early sign of COVID-19 infection. Please
be sure to take time to reflect on how you are feeling before you attend any of our programs, sites or homes.

Enhancing rapid testing – We continue to require daily rapid testing for all staff and visitors entering our homes.
At this time we will be moving towards more accurate sample collection that includes swabbing inside the mouth
(or the throat) in addition to the nose. We know that Omicron is being identified earlier in the throat than in the
nose and this can identify cases earlier. Click here for a detailed guide on how to preform a Rapid Antigen Test.

Staying up-to-date with vaccines – We continue to encourage everyone to stay up-to-date with your COVID-19
vaccines. This week the province has announced that 4th doses (or 2nd booster doses) are available to all adults
over the age of 18. Please check your eligibility and continue with your vaccination schedule. Those of us working
and visiting high-risk settings, such as the locations in which we provide care and services, should ensure we are
doing everything we can to keep ourselves infection free when interacting with those most vulnerable.

Mask use and eye protection – We continue to require universal masking at all of our programs and homes that
provide care and services. Although there is no longer a provincial mask mandate in place, we do believe that
masking does provide protection when in crowded places. We also encourage our staff and visitors to utilize
higher level masks such as KN95s or N95s that we have available for use when requested at screening and
consider wearing eye protection again, as these may become mandatory in the future.

Preparedness and planning – Our fall preparedness activities have been moved up to ensure we remain in good
shape to manage this wave of the pandemic. Unfortunately, this wave is happening during the time our staff are
trying to take their well-deserved summer vacations. Our dedicated staff continue to practice and hone their skills
in outbreak prevention and management. We utilize our supply chains and resource management to always
ensure sufficient levels of PPE and infection prevention and control supplies.

We hope that you all enjoy the summer safely. Take care and stay well,

Steve Sherrer

CEO

June 9th, 2022

Hello everyone,

We hope that you are enjoying the warm weather and are looking forward to some summertime
activities.

We continue to monitor the current COVID-19 situation in our province and our local areas. We are
happy to see the number of COVID-19 cases decreasing and the hospital pressures alleviating at this
time. These are contributing factors in the recent provincial COVID-19 precaution changes. Effective
June 11th, many of the provincial precautions are being lifted. Of note, many of the masking mandates
will be lifted. Some exceptions for masking mandates do remain. Masks are still required in all longterm care home and retirement homes in the province. Masking is still recommended in higher-risk
congregate living settings.

Due to the nature of the work we do and the vulnerability of our workforce, Thrive Group will be
continuing with all masking requirements for all staff, students, volunteers, caregivers, visitors and
contracted workers in all of our sites and programs for both indoor and outdoor activities. This
includes the Osler offices. Residents and clients are still encouraged to wear masks when gathering in
groups when distancing is not permitted.

We will continue to evaluate the precautions being implemented and will adjust and modify them as
required.

Take care and stay well,

Steve Sherrer

CEO

March 29th, 2022

Hello everyone,

All of Thrive Group’s member organizations, are continuing to review our practices, precautions and
policies as the province lifts COVID-19 precautions in the broader community. Our vaccine policies have
been under review and today we have some updates for you.

Employee Vaccination Policy

At this time, Thrive Group organizational leaders have completed the review of the employee policy for
COVID-19 vaccinations. This policy applies to all of our staff, including students, volunteers and
contracted/support workers that provide care or services within the organization. The decision has been
made to continue to require all staff to be fully vaccinated based on the definition of “fully vaccinated”
by Health Canada. At this time, that definition does not include a third or booster dose of vaccine. It is
still very much the position of Thrive Group that all staff obtain the additional or booster doses that are
recommended as soon as eligible.

Visitor and Essential Caregiver Vaccination Policy

The vaccine requirements for visitors and essential caregivers continues to be under review as we
continue to investigate how to adequately balance resident and clients’ rights with safety for everyone
that enters our homes and other sites. We will share the updated policy as soon as we are able to
finalize this plan. In the meantime, all individuals entering our programs must be fully vaccinated
(minimum 2 doses of vaccine).

We know that the vaccine works well at preventing severe illness requiring hospitalization and it works
relatively well at preventing illness in general for the period of time after a booster dose. We continue to
echo the messages the Chief Medical Officer of Health in saying “I encourage all health care workers as
well as all Ontarians to remain up-to-date in their COVID-19 vaccines, and to receive all doses, including
additional doses, that are recommended as soon as they are eligible”.

Take care and stay well,

Steve Sherrer

CEO

March 19th, 2022

Hello everyone,

With the clocks changing last weekend we are seeing longer, brighter days and some mild temperaturesit is really starting to feel like spring! Spring brings feelings of hope and fresh new beginnings. We are
remaining hopeful for what the coming weeks and months bring, but along with that hope, we are
remaining cautious. Many of our residents and clients are vulnerable to the COVID virus still circulating
in our community. Public health and health system indicators are improving, but we are not fully out of
the woods yet.

Recently in the province, there have been changes announced in terms of lifting COVID-19 precautions.
Some of which include lifting of vaccine requirements, capacity limits, masking mandates and decreases
to travel-related testing. Although we are all looking forward to the days when things return to
“normal” these changes in the broader community have the potential to lead to additional spread of
the virus. This highlights the need for us to remain diligent with our remaining layers of safety
precautions. Today we wanted to clarify how some of these precautions impact our organizations.

Vaccinations

As shared last week, Thrive Group is still in the process of reviewing our COVID-19 vaccine policies for
staff, students, volunteers, support workers, essential caregivers and visitors. We plan to communicate
these updates by the end of the month. At this time, at minimum, individuals entering our programs
must be fully vaccinated (minimum 2 doses of vaccine).

We know that the vaccine works well at preventing severe illness requiring hospitalization and it works
relatively well at preventing illness in general for the period of time after a booster dose. We continue to
echo the messages the Chief Medical Officer of Health in saying “I encourage all health care workers as
well as all Ontarians to remain up-to-date in their COVID-19 vaccines, and to receive all doses, including
additional doses, that are recommended as soon as they are eligible”.

Masking Requirements

Although the provincial masking mandate for a variety of settings is being lifted on March 21st this will
not apply to many places, including health care settings until a date later in April. Masks will still be
required in health care settings including hospitals, long-term care homes and congregate care settings.
We have also decided to maintain masking in our non-care providing settings (offices) at this time.
Please ensure that you continue to wear a mask when entering any of our sites and that you follow
the universal making procedures of the site you are visiting.

Take care and stay well,

Steve Sherrer

CEO

March 12th, 2022

Hello everyone,

This week we received information regarding a number of changes to COVID-19 precautions as the
Ministry of Long-Term Care recalibrates the response. Key public health and system health indicators
continue to improve each week.

Vaccination Policy

Provincial directives were put in place for health care settings to develop and implement COVID-19
vaccine policies. These policies evolved over time based on the available evidence of vaccine efficacy
and impact of the variant at the time. We know that this action resulted in tremendous success in our
ability to mitigate the severity of outbreaks and get us to the other side of the Omicron wave.

At this time, the province has shifted their approach from a provincial directive for homes to have a
mandatory vaccination policy, to a guidance-based approach that continues to support homes with their
employer-led policies and best practices.

Accordingly, Thrive Group will be extending the current deadline of March 14th for LTC staff, students,
volunteers, support workers and essential caregivers to obtain a booster/third vaccine by two weeks
(until March 28th) so that we can review our policy based on this new information.

We do echo the messages the Chief Medical Officer of Health in saying “I encourage all health care
workers as well as all Ontarians to remain up-to-date in their COVID-19 vaccines, and to receive all
doses, including additional doses, that are recommended as soon as they are eligible”.

Visiting, Absences and Social Activities

Limits on visitors are increased to a total of 4 visitors (which includes visitors and essential caregivers).
All visitors will still be rapid tested prior to visits. Children under the age of 5 are now eligible to be
general visitors. All indoor general visitors are still required to be fully vaccinated (unless under the age
of 5). Outdoor general visits are permitted with limits to be set by each home based on availability and
size of space. Outdoor visitors do not require visitors to be vaccinated.

All residents and clients are permitted to leave the respective home, regardless of vaccine status. Please
refer to our absence guideline on our website.

Social activities can begin to happen between resident and client cohorts and in some larger groups,
permitted there is no eating, masks are worn as tolerated and distancing is maintained.

Reopening Ontario Act, 2020 Expiring

There were several regulations introduced that supported operations and human resource shortages
during the pandemic. Many of these regulations are being removed in the upcoming months and our
programs are working to resume normal practices in these areas.

We will continue to keep you apprised of how these changes will be implemented across our 18 sites.
As always, we again want to thank all of you…our residents, clients, family members and staff for being
flexible and extremely resilient throughout the pandemic and especially during the most recent Omicron
wave. Your commitment to the safety of our Thrive family is truly inspiring. Your willingness to receive
the recommended vaccines truly helped us limit the severe impact that outbreaks have had in other
settings and we are feeling hopeful that we are on the downside of the Omicron wave.

Steve Sherrer

CEO

March 7th, 2022

March 8th is International Women’s Day, a day to recognize the achievements of the women in our families and communities. The first recorded women’s rights marches took place in the early 1900’s, and it has taken more than a century of hard work and progress as a society to get to where we are today in the fight for gender equality. Strong, compassionate, influential women are becoming more prominent in leadership roles around the world, but there is still work to be done.

In times of global crisis, women, as a population, invariably suffer more than men. International Women’s Day exists to remind us to consider what we can do to contribute to fair and equal wages, freedom from violence, accessible and affordable housing and childcare, and opportunities for women to thrive and live life in the way they choose, not the way society chooses for them.

I would like to thank the women in our Organization for the work that they do to support our services and strengthen our community. I am grateful to all of you and the impact you have on the lives of our clients, residents and staff. The work we do is only possible when we truly come together. I would also like to thank all the women outside of our organization who love, support and inspire us.

Have a wonderful day and stay safe,

Steve Sherrer

CEO

Ontario Asking Citizens to Embrace the Ontario Spirit and Volunteer

New portal matching volunteers with opportunities to help out during an emergency

TORONTO — The Ontario government is calling on citizens 16 years of age and older to help their communities in times of crisis by joining Volunteer Corps Ontario. The new program will register, screen and train volunteers so Ontario is better prepared to mobilize volunteers and safely respond to emergencies, from public health crises to natural disasters.

Please visit The Ministry of Ontario Newsroom for more information.

February 18th, 2022

Hello everyone,

As the province continues to adjust and lift pandemic related precautions, we have been advised by the Ministry to expect information on some changes to the precautions we currently have in place within our programs. While we do not have the exact details yet, we anticipate that starting sometime early next week, general visiting will be resuming at our long-term care and congregate sites that are not currently in outbreak, suspect outbreak or on a precautionary watch.

At this time, we know that the updated visiting guidelines include:

• General visitors must be 5 years and older who have had at least two COVID-19 vaccine doses. Children under 5 continue to be restricted with the exception of infants 12 months or younger.
• Limits on visitors are increasing to 3 at a time (this includes general visitors and essential caregivers)
• We continue to require all general visits to be booked in advance.

Please contact reception or the program office to make arrangements. We are also anticipating receiving information regarding some changes to the precautions surrounding social absences and temporary absences. We will communicate these changes next week directly from the programs and on our website.

Take good care and happy Family Day weekend!

Steve Sherrer

CEO

February 16th, 2022

To our families and caregivers,

This upcoming Monday is Family Day, and what better way to get through the last of these long winter months than to spend time reflecting on the importance of family? Our lives can get busy, and it is not always easy to slow down and take stock of what is really important to us. Family Day is the perfect time to reconnect with the people who bring our lives joy and meaning.

The word family means something different to everyone. Whether you are celebrating with the family you were born into, or the family that you have chosen along your journey, our relationships have shaped us into the people we are today, and this weekend, all across Canada, we are reaching out to say thank you.

Thrive Group would not be able to do what we do for our clients and residents without the support of their friends and families. It is the strength of our communities that keeps our programs running. The pandemic introduced new and difficult challenges for all of us, but we have risen to face those challenges, and we have grown so much together. Thank you for doing your part to keep not only your own family safe, but the families of all of those who live in our communities. Today, we celebrate all of you.

I would also like to thank the families of our staff who will be coming in to work over the long weekend. I understand that giving this time to our clients and residents is a sacrifice our team members make time and time again, and we are so grateful.

I wish you all a happy, healthy Family Day weekend.

Steve.

Steve Sherrer

CEO

February 12th, 2022

Hello everyone,

We continue to hear that the COVID-19 situation in the province is moving in the right direction with regards to the impact of cases on the health care system, specifically our hospitals. This is in large part, due to the success of the vaccine campaign in the province.

At this time our staff booster vaccine rates are trending to meet the timelines set out in our policy. We remind all essential caregivers to notify your programs of your booster vaccine status to help us ensure our rates are accurate. We also encourage all general visitors to obtain their booster vaccines prior to general visiting resuming in our homes potentially later this month.

Thrive Group continues to modify our vaccine policy for staff, visitors and caregivers as directives come forward from the Ministry of Health. This week we have been instructed to modify our vaccine policy to allow individuals that have recently had a COVID-19 infection to wait 3 months from the onset of their infection to obtain their third dose/booster dose of vaccine. Our policies will be updated to reflect this flexibility in the coming days. Individuals are encouraged to speak with their health care providers to determine if an earlier booster/third dose is appropriate for them.

The evidence surrounding the COVID-19 vaccine continues support that the vaccine is extremely safe and effective at preventing transmission, illness and severe illness caused by COVID-19. The most recent changes are to support a better and longer lasting immune system response for those that have had an COVID-19 infection.

Stay well,

Janine Mills,
Quality and Privacy Officer,
Pandemic Lead

February 4th, 2022

Hello everyone,

This week has brought with it some encouraging news related to this current wave of the pandemic and a hope for an
early spring (if the groundhog got it right!). In January, the provincial government shared broader plans for the province
re-opening through February and March 2022. This week they provided plans for easing some of the temporary
enhanced measures put in place for our Homes during the Omicron wave.

Effective February 7th , residents and clients in our homes (that are not in an outbreak situation) will be permitted to
designate up to four (4) essential caregivers and those caregivers can visit with up to two individuals at a time. Social
absences will also be permitted for residents and clients that have had at least three (3) COVID-19 doses, provided the
following is in place:

• ensuring that infection control practices of limiting contact with others
• avoiding large gatherings
• following masking and distancing as much as possible and
• only being in close contact with individuals who have had three (3) COVID-19 vaccine doses

The province has also shared information about additional easing of restrictions on visiting and absences targeting the
next changes to be implemented effective February 21 st and another March 14 th . You can read more about the future
expected changes here.
The Omicron surge has demonstrated significant impact to our programs and our teams over the past couple of months.
Our teams continued to demonstrate the values of Thrive Group by demonstrating innovation, versatility and teamwork
as we managed the operational and staffing challenges. During this time, we did see more cases of COVID-19 among our
staff, resident and client populations than we did in previous waves. St. Peter’s Residence is working to end an outbreak
that has now been contained to one home area and today, Idlewyld Manor was able to declare an outbreak over. The
community programs have been managing several suspect outbreak situations and have been able to declare most of
them over. The teams have truly demonstrated their skills with the management of these infections. All program or site
specific updates will continue to come to you directly from the leaders at the respective programs.

As we move forward into the reopening post the Omicron surge, we ask that you continue to demonstrate patience and
kindness to our staff and one another. The pandemic is far from over and we are now looking to adapt in different ways
to reopen safely as we work to balance the right level of precautions. Everyone has differing comfort levels with this
and we are working to ensure, as always, the safety and well being of our residents, clients and staff.

We hope that you have a good weekend and please take good care and stay well.

Steve Sherrer

CEO

January 21st, 2022

Hello everyone,

It is hard to believe that we are already well into the second half of January and nearing the second anniversary of the pandemic. As anticipated, the Omicron wave of this pandemic is having a significant impact on the community and to an already overwhelmed health care system and beyond. The increased communicability of this variant has led to many of us becoming ill at the same time that hospitals, intensive care units are beyond maximum capacity with patients while being challenged with less staff due to illness.

Our staff and leaders have been working tirelessly since before the holidays and throughout the entire pandemic to continue to provide care and services to our residents and clients. We are so grateful for this committed and dedicated team. We are also grateful for the kindness and understanding of all of our clients, residents and family members as we continue to make changes to operations and precautions that are aligned with the changing landscape of this pandemic.

Vaccinations are a very important part in the fight against this virus. Vaccines alone are not the answer, but they are showing, with third/booster doses, to be very effective at preventing illness and reducing the likelihood of hospitalization.

Here is some messaging from the Ministry of Health about Omicron and the importance of COVID-19 Vaccines:

• The number of people who have become infected with Omicron is increasing rapidly. Reinfection is more common than with other variants and two doses of vaccine are unlikely to protect against Omicron infection.
• While severity of illness from Omicron among unimmunized and/or previously uninfected individuals remains uncertain, including among the elderly, it is clear that vaccination does reduce the risk of hospitalization.
• Vaccination remains the best defence against COVID-19, including the Omicron variant.
• High rates of vaccination, including booster doses, can also help preserve hospital capacity
• despite being less severe, Omicron is causing significant burden on the health care system.
• Boosters provide better protection against the Omicron variant. For example: o A study from England showed a third dose was 88% effective at preventing hospitalization following infection with Omicron. o Another study from the UK in those 65 years of age and over showed a booster was 94% effective against hospitalization within two to nine weeks and 89% effective at 10 or more weeks.
• Even for people infected with COVID-19, a third dose offers increased protection and can be administered in Ontario as soon as symptoms have resolved and the isolation period is over, with the optimal time being at least 30 days after infection.
• Pfizer and Moderna are both mRNA vaccines. Since they use the same technology, they can be safely mixed and will provide a strong immune response that protects against severe illness.

Vaccines at Thrive Group:

• At this time all staff, students, volunteers, contracted staff, essential caregivers and general visitors (when general visits are safe to resume) are required by the Ministry of Long-term Care and our Thrive Group policy to have shown proof of a booster dose of vaccine.
• All LTC residents are being offered a third, and when eligible, a fourth booster dose. Booster doses are also being provided to clients in the community and fourth doses are now eligible for anyone that meets the immunocompromised criteria.

We will continue to provide you with additional information as it becomes available. Once again thank you all for your patience, understanding and kindness to our staff as we continue to work through these unchartered waters.

Take good care and stay well,

Steve Sherrer

CEO

December 31st, 2021

Hello everyone,

It is New Year’s Eve today and we are bracing for a bumpy start to 2022 with hope that this new year ultimately brings us to the end of this pandemic and back to a more normal time. We expect cases numbers and transmissions of COVID 19 to exceed anything we had even imagined. Symptoms with this variant are shorter lasting and milder than with previous variants- however the rate of spread is overwhelming the testing systems in the province.

Yesterday the Chief Medical Officer of Health provided some new directions to the province and to our health care settings:

• Laboratory- based PCR testing is being limited to high-risk populations. Here is a link that highlights who would be eligible for a PCR test and the circumstances surrounding the testing.
• The province is encouraging everyone to use the website Ontario.ca/exposed and to use the online self assessment tool to determine if you need to isolate or be tested based on your symptoms or contact risks.
• We have new directives and recommendations regarding vaccines. Third/booster doses are going to be required for staff, students, volunteers, essential caregivers, support workers and general visitors in our programs. All individuals that are eligible at this time. If you are 3 months (84 days) post your second vaccine, you are eligible for your booster, please book your appointments for your third/booster vaccine as soon as possible
• Due to waning immunity, 4th doses of vaccine are now being recommended for individuals in living in LTC and congregate settings.
• There are new guidelines for staff that have had an exposure to a COVID-19 case. These individuals may be permitted to continue to work if they continue to pass the series of testing requirements outlined by the Chief Medical Officer of Health. This process is called “testing to work”. We will evaluate operational needs and risk levels as appropriate.
• The Ministry has also put a temporary pause on general visitors and social absences from the homes.

In the coming days we will be providing more information about some of the above mentioned changes. Please continue to monitor our website for updated resources as we update them to reflect the recent changes.

Thank you for your continued patience, understanding and kindness to our staff as they continue to work through these unchartered waters over the holiday season. Please reach out to the leaders at your programs if you have questions.

Take good care and cheers to a happy and healthy New Year,

Steve Sherrer

CEO

December 28th, 2021

Hello everyone,

We hope that you found some ways to safely celebrate the holidays. Our incredible teams have continued through the holidays working to support the health, safety and wellbeing of our clients, residents and staff in this quickly evolving wave of the pandemic.

As you will be aware, things are changing significantly by the day (and by the hour) related to this Omicron variant. Case numbers have never been as high as they are today and are expected to continue to grow at a rapid rate. If things continue to move as projected, it is very likely that all of us will have contact either directly or indirectly with a COVID-19 case and many of us will contract this variant. Thankfully, the experience to date with this variant is resulting in a shorter and more mild presentation of illness for most individuals.

At this point, our biggest focus is to limit the spread of COVID-19 within our sites/programs and ensure we can sustain adequate levels of our most valuable resources – our staff.

If you have not already, we strongly urge you to book your appointment for your third/booster dose of the vaccine. We suspect that eventually the booster will be a requirement to be “fully vaccinated”. This dose is critically important and is showing to decrease the risk of severe illness if infected with COVID-19.

In recent days, we have implemented isolation precautions at both of our long-term care homes related to identified staff cases of COVID-19. We continue to prepare and modify our programs and services in the community to adjust to the changing needs.

We know that a number of further changes to our practices and directives are on the horizon. We continue to monitor these changes and promptly implement updated practices. Many of these directives are coming from both provincial and local public health experts and authorities to keep our vulnerable residents and clients and our invaluable staff as safe as possible.

Just today we received word that the Ministry of Health is suspending all general visits to long-term care homes as well as day absences for social purposes.

In the coming days we anticipate provincial and local changes to how we approach testing for COVID-19. Currently testing appointments have been a challenge to get, yet they are required to ensure our workforce is safe to continue to work. We also anticipate more information on approaches for “work isolation” or “testing to work” in which, our staff who may have had an exposure can continue to provide services and care based on frequent testing, screening requirements and continued use of appropriate PPE.

Thank you for your continued patience, understanding and kindness to our staff as they continue to work through these unchartered waters over the holiday season.

Please reach out to the leaders at your programs if you have questions.

Take good care,

Steve Sherrer

CEO

December 24th, 2021

Hello everyone,

I am reaching out to wish you all a very happy holiday season. This year, like the one before, has been full of challenges and once again you have all done an exceptional job working through them. It takes great courage and determination to not only persevere, but thrive during times like these, and I see that throughout our community every single day.

Although the threat of COVID still looms as we work to manage new variants of concern, we have made so much progress toward getting ourselves and our community vaccinated. As we enter this fourth wave of the pandemic, I know you will all do what you can to continue to protect yourself and those around you as you celebrate the season.

At the turn of the new year, we sing Auld Langs Syne and share a toast to days gone by. It is a tribute to what we have learned and how much we have grown, while ushering in the hopes of better, brighter days to come. It is hard to see outbreak numbers on the rise again, but with booster shots available to everyone, and the experience we have gained from past surges, we will get through this one as well. I am looking forward to the day when we can once again organize events and gather in person to celebrate. Until then, I hope you all find some way to spend quality time with those dearest to you.

I would like to thank you all for your ongoing support, trust and confidence in our organization as well as your help to stop the spread of COVID-19. Your ongoing support of our teams allows us to do what we can to keep our community safe.

Wishing you and yours a happy holiday and all the very best in the new year.

Steve Sherrer

CEO

December 15th, 2021

As indicated in my December 10th update, we have now received communication from Ministry regarding a number of temporary enhanced precautions related to the new COVID-19 variant Omicron. These added precautions are necessary to provide optimal safety and support to residents/clients while balancing the mental and emotional well-being of those we serve and their families, and to safeguard the staff who are critical to the care of residents and clients.

Please review the following table to see the changes.

Updated Precautions and Strategies For LTC, Community Congregate and Transitional Care Programs

Screening	All individuals must be screened prior to entry into the home and residents and clients are screened for symptoms daily (unless requirements related to return/admissions/transfers apply)
Surveillance Testing	All staff, students, volunteers, caregivers and general visitors will require a negative covid test on the day of entry to the home or proof of a negative test from the previous day. Testing is required for outdoor general visits Testing not required for infants under one year of age Individuals who show proof of a confirmed COVID-19 infection in the past 30 days should not be rapid tested
Vaccinations	All clients, residents, staff, students, visitors, essential caregivers and volunteers are strongly encouraged to receive their COVID-19 boosters as soon as eligible. Boosters shots are considered to provide the best level of protection from the Omicron variant Effective December 15 at 7pm: General visitors who are not fully vaccinated will be restricted from entering the home. Outdoor visits still permitted (where feasible) for unvaccinated individuals. Effective December 20: Essential caregivers must show proof of their first vaccine dose as of December 20th and by February 21, 2022 must show proof of all required vaccine doses. Until fully vaccinated, these caregivers will be limited to visiting their loved on in their room. Essential caregivers designated after December 14th are required to be fully vaccinated to gain entry to the home. Exceptions will be made if individual is medically exempt or if it is a palliative situation.
Visitor Limit Maximum Numbers	Outdoor visits (where feasible): Up to four people per resident/client at a time (includes essential caregivers). Indoor visits: Up to two people per resident/client at a time (includes essential caregivers). Essential Caregivers: Residents/clients can designate a maximum of two caregivers (unless more than two caregivers were already designated prior to December 14th)
Social Activities	All resident/client activities are cohorted to the unit and large group activities are suspended.
Absences	Day absences Day absences for social purposes are permitted for fully vaccinated residents/clients only. Requirements for return to home for day absence: Actively screen upon return Rapid test AND PCR test (where available) on day 3 following absence, followed by PCR test on day 7 No isolation is required unless positive result is received If known exposure to a case, PCR test on day 1 and day 7 and isolate until a negative result is confirmed from day 7 Overnight absences Overnight absences for social purposes are being suspended, regardless of vaccination status. LTC Residents who wish to leave the home overnight for social purposes will need to follow the appropriate discharge and re-admission to LTC process. Community clients leaving for overnight absences must receive a PCR test prior to return and isolate according to admission requirements outlined below. Essential, medical and compassionate and palliative absences are still permitted, regardless of vaccination status.
Admissions/ Transfers readmissions from another healthcare facility (not in an outbreak)	If asymptomatic and fully vaccinated and no known exposure to a case, do PCR test prior to admission or on arrival at the site, with isolation until a negative result is received (if PCR testing is not available, rapid testing will be used) Do enhanced screening on admission and twice daily for 10 days following readmissions/admissions/transfer
For all other readmissions/ admissions/transfers to the home	Examples: return from emergency department, admissions from the community, essential absence, medical absence, compassionate/palliative absence or community overnight absences A PCR test is required prior to admission or on day 1 and on day 7 Isolation is required until a negative result is confirmed from day 7 Enhanced screening on admission and twice daily for 10 days following readmissions/admissions/transfer

We understand this is a lot of information very close to the holidays. Please continue to check our website for further updates to our resources.

Thank you for your continued support and commitment to keeping our residents, clients, staff and families safe. Please reach out to the leaders at your programs if you have questions.

Take good care,

Steve Sherrer

CEO

December 10th, 2021

Hello everyone,

The holiday season is here, as is the growing concern over a new COVID-19 variant called Omicron. Omicron is considered to be much more transmissible than previous variants of COVID-19. In response to the developing situation related to the new variant, guidelines from our local public health units and provincial experts are beginning to change with more changes anticipated.

Throughout the pandemic Thrive Group has diligently implemented all directives and guidelines and has elevated precautions at times out of an abundance of caution for the health, safety and wellbeing of our residents, clients and staff. This communication will outline the changes that have taken place already and highlight some of the areas we anticipate changes to come in the coming days. As always, we will continue to keep you informed of the changing precautions.

Travel related screening and testing – Everyone entering any of our Thrive Group sites are required to answer some more detailed questions about travel outside of Canada. Anyone that has travelled to a country on the quarantine list are unable to enter our sites until their full quarantine period and requirements are met.

Rapid antigen testing post travel- Anyone that has traveled outside of Canada (including the US) in the past 14 days is required to have a current negative rapid antigen test prior to entering any of our sites or offices. A rapid test is considered current if it was completed with the previous 48 hours.

Case and Contact Management - changes have been introduced to reduce transmission of Omicron. COVID-19 cases linked to travel or exposure to indivuals that have travelled are consider “suspected Omicron” cases until they are confirmed or ruled out. Any close contacts of a confirmed or suspected Omicron case will be required to isolate for 10 days- regardless of vaccination status, until Omicron is ruled out. Public Health will provide guidance and directions should you be identified as a contact.

This is extremely important to consider when gathering in large groups. There is a much larger risk of being in contact with a COVID case and needing to isolate. We strongly encourage that our staff do not gather in groups over the holidays to limit high-risk exposures and potential isolation requirements.

Surveillance Rapid Antigen testing was recently increased at our sites. We anticipate making some further adjustments to the frequency and processes to complete rapid testing for staff and visitors.

Visiting is likely an area that we may see some adjustments to guidelines. We know that the holidays are a time to gather with family and loved ones. As soon as we know what these directives are, we will communicate this so that you can make plans that will keep everyone safe at Christmas.

COVID-19 vaccines continue to protect people from COVID-19, especially booster doses for those eligible. We strongly encourage all visitors to our sites to support resident/client safety by getting vaccinated. We also encourage all staff and visitors to obtain their booster dose when eligible.

As always, we are keeping our website current with all updated information so please be sure to check the website frequently as additional modifications and updates.

Take good care,

Steve Sherrer

CEO

October 7th, 2021

Hello everyone,

The heat of the summer has lifted, a chill has settled in the air, and it is, once again, the time of year when we reflect on everything in our lives that we are thankful for.

As we come to the end of the second year of the pandemic, I am thankful that we have unimpeded access to a vaccine that has helped keep the number of COVID-19 infections to a minimum. We have been able to get out of our houses and back into stores and restaurants after what has felt like much longer than eighteen months of lockdowns and isolation. Most importantly, we have been able to reconnect with our neighbourhoods and the wonderful people in them. Thrive Group would not be where we are today without the unwavering support of our families, caregivers and community members. We may not be back to normal just yet, but we are well along the road to recovering.

I am also thankful for our staff here at Thrive Group. We have placed on the list of Best Workplaces in Ontario and the list of Best Workplaces in Healthcare across Canada. We earned the honor of these awards because of our incredible employees, people who work hard day and night to offer support and companionship to those who need it most. In times as trying as these, the simplest acts of kindness make all the difference, and it is this kindness that I see in our teams every day.

Finally, I am thankful for the opportunities that lie ahead. This has been a difficult time for all of us, but it has also invited us to learn and grow in ways that would have been unimaginable before. For all the sacrifices we have made and the losses we have endured, I truly believe we can rise from this stronger than ever.

Thank you for another amazing year. I wish you and yours a safe and happy Thanksgiving.

Steve Sherrer

CEO

September 30th, 2021

National Day of Truth and Reconciliation.

The day has been created to give everyone an opportunity to recognize and commemorate the legacy of residential schools, which more than 150,000 First Nations, Metis and Inuit children were forced to attend between the 1870’s to 1997.

Thrive Group echoes the Canadian Government's sentiments that we all need to do our part in ensuring that the tragic history and ongoing legacy of residential schools is never forgotten. We encourage all Thrive Staff to wear orange today to show their support.

The Thrive Group Leadership Team

September 14th, 2021

We are so very proud to announce that Thrive Group organizations have been named on the 2021 list of Best Workplaces in Healthcare! This list includes healthcare organizations from all across Canada!

Thrive Group received this honour after a thorough and independent analysis conducted by Great Place to Work®. This certification is based on direct feedback from employees of the hundreds of organizations that were surveyed by Great Place to Work® in October of 2020. We were also recently recognized as one of the Best Workplaces in Ontario in 2021!

For all Thrive Group organizations to receive this honour is truly remarkable as we continue to navigate through a global pandemic where healthcare has experienced unprecedented challenges. We have been honoured with this recognition because of our amazing employees and their commitment to our clients and residents as well as to their teams, and the dedication and perseverance they bring to work everyday to help those who need it most. We are recognized as a Great Place to Work because we live our Thrive values and show passion for our work. We are so fortunate and proud to work with such an amazing team of people.

We would like to congratulate our Thrive Group employees and extend our genuine appreciation to them all, because it is our employees that make Thrive Group organizations such Great Places to Work!

Sincerely,

The Thrive Group Leadership Team

September 1st, 2021

Hello everyone,

This upcoming long weekend marks the transition from the heat of summer to the cooler months, and ushers in another season of holidays and family gatherings. As I sit to reflect on each milestone throughout the year, I am reminded of the monumental challenges our community has faced recently, and the continued uncertainty ahead. Know that your patience and the sacrifices you have made in taking great care to keep your family, friends, and neighbours safe has not gone unnoticed or unappreciated.

I would like to recognize all of you who are parents of children who will be returning to school. This has been an especially difficult time for the younger generations who have missed out on so many experiences and opportunities due to pandemic lockdowns. What you have done to keep your kids educated and entertained, while also doing your best to adapt to the new normal, has been nothing short of heroic. Hopefully, this year will look a bit brighter than the last and allow our children to see the school year through uninterrupted.

Although we don’t quite know what these final few months of 2021 will look like, I hope you are able to find some time to spend with those closest to you. Whether you choose to stay at home, or you venture out to enjoy the last of this beautiful summer weather, remember that the virus is still with us. Stay attentive to all COVID-19 protocols, keep your groups small, wash your hands frequently and get your vaccinations. This is how we can do our part to continue to keep people safe.

Stay safe and have a very happy long weekend,

Steve Sherrer

CEO

August 24th, 2021

Hello,

As August is quickly coming to an end, I hope that everyone has had a chance to enjoy some time during these warm summer months. At our Thrive Group organizations we have continued to remain diligent through the summer as we watched low case numbers slowly creeping back up. As always, we have continued to review and implement the changing directives and precautions related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Currently, the province continues to be in a “recovery stage” of the pandemic, yet concern is growing about a fourth wave of COVID-19. Our teams are preparing for a potential fourth wave, yet we are remaining optimistic that vaccine rates will continue to increase in the province preventing further illness and strain on the health care system.

The incredible scientific successes with COVID-19 vaccines have provided us with the ability to protect ourselves, our loved ones, and those most vulnerable in our community. A successful vaccine campaign has been a game-changer for the long-term care and congregate care populations. Thrive Group continues to promote the vaccine with all residents, clients, staff, caregivers, students and volunteers.

Thrive Group implemented a vaccine policy (available on our website) earlier this summer. We continue to evaluate our policy as new information becomes available from the Ministry and our other partners in health care. At Thrive Group we have made COVID-19 immunization a condition of employment for all new staff, contractors and students. We closely monitor our vaccine rates and are so thankful so many of our staff, residents and clients have chosen to be vaccinated. Currently between 87% and 93% of the staff working in our assisted living, supportive housing and long-term care sites are immunized. This is something to celebrate! However, we do continue to strive for higher rates.

With the recent news regarding third doses of vaccines for high-risk individuals, we are already working on plans for our long-term care residents. More information will be coming directly from the homes regarding this as additional information becomes available. Thrive Group continues to advocate for all of our high risk clients living in other congregate settings aside from long-term care to have access to a third or “booster” dose when possible.

As always, we are keeping our website current with all updated information so please be sure to check the website frequently as additional modifications are expected as we progress through re-opening the province.

Take good care, be safe and enjoy the rest of the summer,

Steve Sherrer

CEO

July 15th, 2021

Hello Everyone,

Tomorrow the Province enters Step Three of the Roadmap to Reopen. In addition to these provincial changes, there are a number of changes that are being made to the precautions currently in place in our LTC and community congregate sites.

Surveillance (Rapid) Testing

• Thrive Group has taken a cautious approach to all modifications to COVID-19 precautions. As always, the safety of our residents, clients, staff and visitors is our top priority. We continue to work with the Ministry directives as they evolve. At this time, out of an abundance of caution, we have decided to continue with surveillance testing for everyone entering our homes every-other-day (up to 3 times weekly). In the coming weeks we will re-evaluate this measure and make changes based on what is happening locally in our communities.

Visitor Limits

• The ministry of health has eliminated their specified numbers of visitors allowed to visit. Each site has developed its own plans based on physical space and operational feasibility to expand for groups of visitors, as they are able. General visits still need to be booked in advance. Essential caregiver visits do not need to be booked. Please see the communication from your site/program for these specific details and to plan for visits with your loved ones.

Eye protection

• Universal eye protection for staff is now optional for all fully vaccinated staff, however any staff may still choose to wear eye protection. Staff that are partially or unimmunized will be required to wear eye protection following our COVID-19 Immunization Policy requirements.
• Visitors and essential caregivers are not required to wear eye protection for visits unless visiting a resident in isolation or there is an outbreak at the site.

Resident and Client Absences

• All residents and clients (regardless of immunization status) are now permitted to participate in social outings for the day and/or overnight. Please refer to our absence guidelines on our website for further detail.

Programming and Excursions

• As the province opens up allowing us to participate in more activities, the same is being reflected in our Homes. Loosening of restrictions now exist regarding physical distancing at meals and programs, singing, dancing, buffet/family style meal programs and offsite excursions.

Once again, our teams are busy working on the logistics to implement these changes. If you have any questions about the new precautions, please speak with a member of the leadership team.

As always, we are keeping our website current with all updated information so please be sure to check the website frequently as additional modifications are expected as we progress through re-opening the province.

Take good care,

Steve Sherrer

CEO

July 1st, 2021

Canada day is a day to recognize the birth of the country that we call home. In the history of our nation, there have been moments to celebrate and moments from which we must learn and grow. This year, perhaps more than ever before, we are being asked to demonstrate empathy and humility as a united people and to face some hard truths about Canada’s recent past.

There is a lot to be proud of in being Canadian, but we also have a lot of work to do to create a truly supportive and inclusive place that each and every one of our citizens can call home. However you choose to reflect on what Canada Day means to you this year, please do so safely and respectfully. Our Thrive Group locations will keep our flags lowered to half-mast in memory of the Indigenous children whose remains have been found in the recent weeks. Further Indigenous resources and information can be found here in the Indigenous Hub section.

Take good care,

Steve Sherrer

CEO

June 30th, 2021

Hello everyone,

Today the Province enters Step Two of the Roadmap to Reopen. In addition to these provincial changes, there are a number of changes that are being made to the precautions currently in place in our LTC and community congregate sites.

Thrive Group Vaccine Policy

• Thrive Group has implemented a COVID-19 Immunization Policy as directed by the Ministry of Long-Term Care. Thrive Group is committed to creating and maintaining a healthy and safe work environment for our staff and for the residents/clients we serve, and to reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19 in our workplace by encouraging high rates of vaccination. The policy applies to all staff, contracted staff, students and volunteers and is available for review here.

Essential Caregivers - Changes as of July 7, 2021

• The limit of having only two designated essential caregivers will be removed. The resident/client, or their substitute decision maker, must still designate all essential caregivers and communication with the home must occur to ensure the essential caregiver is identified as an approved caregiver.
• Up to two essential caregivers may visit indoors at a time.

General Visiting - Changes as of July 7, 2021

• General visiting outdoors continues and will be expanding to allow up to 10 visitors (including essential caregivers) to visit at a time. All general visits must be scheduled in advance.
• Indoor general visiting will be permitted for all residents and clients allowing up to two general visitors and up to two essential caregivers to visit together. All general visits must be scheduled in advance.
• Physical distancing requirements continue, but do allow general visitors and residents/clients to have brief hugs at their visits regardless of vaccine status. If residents/clients and general visitors are both FULLY VACCINATED (proof of vaccine will be requested) close contact and hand holding is permitted during general visits.

Cohorting of Residents and Clients - Changes as of July 7, 2021

• For our larger sites that have multiple terraces, home areas or villas, residents and clients have been cohorted within their smaller unit. Cohorting restrictions will be relaxed for outdoor programs allowing a greater opportunity for social engagement and interaction.

Personal Care Services

• Are resuming at our sites that offer these services in accordance with the Reopening Ontario Act.

Our teams are already busy working on the logistics to implement these changes. If you have any questions about the new precautions, please speak with a member of the leadership team.

As always, we are keeping our website current with all updated information so please be sure to check the website frequently as additional modifications are expected as we progress through re-opening the province.

Take good care,

Steve Sherrer

CEO

June 22nd, 2021

We are so very proud to announce that Thrive Group organizations have been named on the 2021 list of Best Workplaces in Ontario!

Thrive Group received this honour after a thorough and independent analysis conducted by Great Place to Work®. You may recall completing the Great Place to Work employee survey in October 2020. We received certification as a Great Place to Work from your feedback in the survey. This list is based on direct feedback from employees of the hundreds of organizations that were surveyed by Great Place to Work®.

To be eligible for this list, organizations must be Great Place to Work Certified™ in the past year and be headquartered in Ontario. From the survey you completed last year, Great Place to Work has determined that Thrive Group organizations are among the Best Workplaces in Ontario.

This past year has challenged us all both personally and professionally. Yet, in true Thrive style you have put our clients and residents ahead of you own needs, you have worked long hours and sacrificed so much for the good of others. Being recognized as a Best Workplace in Ontario is a testament to your commitment to each other, our residents and clients, and the passion and dedication you bring to your work every day. You represent the best of our Values and strive to always maintain a strong and healthy workplace culture. We are humbled by your feedback and proud to work with each and every one of you.

Congratulations on receiving this honour. We want to express our heartfelt appreciation to all of you, because it is each and every one of you who makes all our Thrive Group organizations such Great Places to Work!

Sincerely,

Steve Sherrer

CEO

June 18th, 2021

As Father’s Day approaches this weekend, we are seeing the start of summer, the result of some great successes with the provincial vaccine program and very welcomed talk about the response and recovery of the health care system.

The pandemic has kept loved ones apart for far too long. We are so happy that at this point we can celebrate Father’s Day and our families in a more normalized manner than last year. Outdoor visits can include up to two general visitors and up to two essential family caregivers together. Brief hugs are permitted between long-term care residents or congregate care clients and their visitors. Also, fully vaccinated visitors are permitted to have close contact during their visits such as hand holding. Although not the ideal way to spend a celebratory weekend, we can see progress with the fight against COVID-19. Please be sure to check out our visiting guidelines on our website for detailed information about visiting.

There is still worry about the affects that the Delta variant of concern may still play in this pandemic. We do not want to see a fourth wave. Thrive Group continues to encourage everyone to receive their COVID-19 vaccines. The scheduling has accelerated the second doses of the vaccine so that everyone can soon be fully vaccinated. If you are looking for information on how to book a vaccine appointment, please click here.

So this weekend, celebrate those special people in your lives that have raised, mentored and supported us on our journeys.

Take good care,

Steve Sherrer

CEO

June 8th, 2021

Hello Everyone,

The announcement yesterday that the province is moving into Step 1 of the Roadmap to Reopen as of Friday June 11th is a welcome one, as we all look forward to enjoying our summer months. In addition to these provincial changes, there are a number of changes that are being made to the precautions currently in place in our LTC and community congregate sites related to visiting, absences and eye protection.

We are now seeing some evolving precautions for residents/clients and visitors based on being FULLY VACCINATED. (Fully vaccinated means you are 14 days post your second/final vaccine of the vaccine series.) Screening tables at our sites may be asking to see your COVID-19 vaccine documents as we work to implement these new Ministry directives. As always, we are keeping our website current with all updated information so please be sure to check the website frequently as additional modifications are expected as we progress through re-opening the province.

Eye Protection

• As of June 9th, FULLY VACCINATED essential caregivers will no longer be required to wear eye protection during their visits. Eye protection is still a requirement for unvaccinated and partially vaccinated essential caregivers and all staff, students, volunteers and contracted workers.

General Visiting

• General visiting continues to be in place for outdoor visits. Please review the guidelines for general visiting here.
• Starting June 9th, physical distancing requirements will be adapted to allow general visitors and residents/clients to have brief hugs at their visits - regardless of vaccine status!
• If residents/clients and general visitors are both FULLY VACCINATED, close contact and hand holding is permitted during general visits.
• Residents and clients that cannot visit outdoors related to mobility or health status, will be permitted to have one general visitor indoors. That visitor will be required to complete rapid testing prior to the visit. These accommodations will be limited to individuals that meet this criterion and will be planned in collaboration with the care team at the site.

Resident and Client Absences

• Medical, palliative/compassionate and essential absences all continue to be permitted.
• Starting June 9th, FULLY VACCINATED residents/clients can now go on social and temporary (overnight) absences. For more information on the types of absences and criteria for planning an absence, please review the guideline document here.

Surveillance Testing (Rapid Testing)

• Starting June 9th, any staff, visitor, caregiver, student or volunteer that has previously been infected with COVID 19 will now be required to participate in rapid testing starting 90 days after their positive test result.

If you have any questions about the new precautions, please speak with one of the leaders from your site. We anticipate more changes in the days and weeks ahead as the province continues with reopening.

Take good care,

Steve Sherrer

CEO

June 1st, 2021

Hello everyone,

Today is the end of the provincial “stay-at-home” order. Although this is welcomed news, there is not very much that will be changing with precautions until we enter the next step of the provincial reopening plan, anticipated to be June 14th, 2021.

We have been promised further direction from the Ministry of Health regarding visiting and absences. At this time, outdoor visits are going well. It is wonderful to see our residents and clients reconnecting with family, friends and essential caregivers! Please see our website for instructions for booking outdoor visits and for the guidelines for outdoor visitors.

Medical, compassionate and essential absences continue to be permitted for long-term care residents and clients living in our congregate sites. While social outings were not permitted under the province-wide stay-at-home order, the Ministry will provide further direction allowances for fully immunized individuals to participate in such outings now that the stay-at-home order is lifted. We will provide you with current information as we receive it.

Thank you for your ongoing support and take good care,

Steve Sherrer

CEO

May 29, 2021

Hello everyone,

I hope that you are all doing well and that you are making the most of the weekend.

As you likely know, today marks the 8th annual Moving to Make It Happen event. This year, similar to last year, the awareness and fundraising event was held virtually so that we could adhere to all COVID-19 pandemic precautions. I am pleased to report that once again, a pandemic, could not stop us from not only reaching our goal of $50,000 but significantly surpassing the goal and inching towards $75,000. This year, our giving is wide spread! This is such an incredible achievement and could not have occurred without the strong support of all of our stakeholders.

From our clients, residents and family members to our staff, volunteers, friends of Thrive and sponsors, this accomplishment is a testament to your commitment to supporting our organizations. Thank you so much for being true ambassadors of our mission.

I would like to thank the Moving to Make It Happen Planning Committee for all of their work behind the scenes and for inspiring others to join the event. I would also like to take this opportunity to extend a very special thanks and congratulations to Shari-Lee Srigley, Director of Development for championing this event and leading the charge. She has motivated all of us to strive for excellence, create teams and healthy competition across our sites and has done a great job in not only raising funds for much needed resources but also raised awareness of our organizations and those who we are privileged to serve.

Please join me in congratulating everyone on this achievement. Thank you for sending in your photos and videos on how you “moved to make it happen” so that we can share these on our social media platforms. I am honoured to serve with you and proud to be part of such an esteemed and engaged group of individuals.

Stay safe, we are rounding the corner - I wish you all the best.

Steve Sherrer

CEO

May 21, 2021

Hello everyone

We are so pleased that the province is seeing the progress being made in the fight against COVID-19. Yesterday government released its Roadmap to Reopen, a three-step plan to safely and cautiously reopen the province and gradually lift public health measures. It has become very evident that vaccines are supporting this success and that the steps of re-opening are reliant on the vaccine rates of the adults in our province.

To align with this roadmap, we are permitted to reopen outdoor visits for general visitors to our long- term care and congregate community programs.

As with our consistent approaches to the management of the pandemic, we have taken care and caution to ensure that all changes to precautions are made carefully to ensure they are safe and successful.

Our teams are so excited to be working on plans to reconnect our residents and clients with loved ones for outdoor visits. With this news being shared with us today, our teams are already hard at work preparing the visiting spaces, scheduling staff and developing the processes needed to safely start outdoor general visits early next week!

In the coming days, we will be updating and sharing our updated visiting policies and resource materials which will also be posted on our website here

At this time, the following has been communicated as guidelines for outdoor general visits:

• Maximum of two general visitors at a time per resident in addition to essential caregiver(s).
• General visitors need to be actively screened upon arrival and should not proceed beyond entry points / areas in homes.
• General visitors do not need to undergo a rapid antigen test as their visit will be outdoors.
• General visitors need to maintain physical distancing and wear masks.
• Residents and clients should wear masks as tolerated.

Thank you for your support and patience as we prepare to relaunch outdoor visits connecting our clients/residents and their loved ones. You will be getting further details from your home, site or program shortly.

If you have received your vaccine already…THANK YOU!! If you are eligible for a vaccine have not yet booked an appointment, we do urge you to book so that we can continue to progress to reopening Ontario as safely as possible!

Thank you,

Steve Sherrer

CEO

May 7, 2021

Hello everyone

Early this week we received updated directives and guidelines outlining changes to some of some of our COVID-19 precautions. The Ministry of Health is working to ensure that all congregate settings and long-term care homes are operating safely while providing the greatest possible opportunities for maximizing resident and client quality of life.

The Ministry of LTC has provided us with foundational guidance and information to help interpret requirements set out by the government with respect to the pandemic. This guidance document sets out how our LTCHs and congregate sites can safely resume certain activities with precautions that are based on their overall immunization coverage rates at the site.

A summary of these changes include:

Active Screening for Visitors and Staff – Screening will only happen on entry to the site (no longer on exit). Temperatures are no longer required to be monitored for visitor and staff screening. Everyone is still expected to continually self-monitor for symptoms of COVID-19.

Increasing Universal Masking for Residents and Clients – Residents and clients that can tolerate wearing a mask are encouraged to wear a mask (medical or non-medical) when at meals (and not eating), during personal care and while in common areas in the site. Staff should assist with mask application and removal when needed.

Promotion of the Vaccination Program – The provincial vaccination program has prioritized our residents, clients, staff and essential caregivers. We continue to support all residents, clients, staff and essential caregivers to receive their vaccine. We are starting to see changing precautions for individuals that are fully vaccinated* and sites that have reached certain rates of fully vaccinated residents, clients and staff. If you are not vaccinated, please ask questions about the vaccines and ask for support getting registered for a vaccine appointment. Also, please keep the home/site up-to-date with your own vaccine status. We are lobbying that staff and essential caregivers be prioritized for a shorter waiting period between first and second doses. #ThriveCrushingCOVID

*Please note that fully vaccinated means 14 days post vaccine series (second dose).

Physical Distancing and Physical Contact – Fully vaccinated essential care givers may have physical contact (hugging/hand holding) with fully vaccinated residents and clients provided appropriate IPAC control measures, like masking, eye protection, and hand hygiene are in place.

Vaccine Rate Dependent Restriction Removal – for sites that have fully vaccinated residents/client rates of 85% or higher AND a fully vaccinated staff rate of 70% or higher, some precautions can be alleviated. Again, fully vaccinated status is considered 14 days after receiving the second dose of vaccine.

Vaccine rates for the different sites will be communicated through the sites normal communication processes.

Essential Absences – Social absences are still not permitted under the province-wide-stay-at-home order. Residents and clients are able to resume essential absences. Essential absences are defined as going to the grocery store or pharmacy where another option is unavailable, or for outdoor exercise both on or off the immediate property of the site. Residents/clients going on absences must be provided with a mask, practice public health measures (physical distancing and hand hygiene) when outside of the home and be screened upon their return to the home.

We anticipate further updates to the visiting policy and other precaution changes when the province-wide-stay-at-home order is lifted. We will provide further updates at that time.

Thank you for your ongoing support and commitment to the safety,

Take good care,

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April 16, 2021

I hope that this update finds everyone doing well.

I wanted to share some exciting news with respect to St. Peter’s Residence at Chedoke and Idlewyld Manor. Several months ago, we applied for funding through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program to upgrade our Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems at our two long-term care homes. This funding is a cost sharing initiative between the federal and provincial governments. We received news today that our application was endorsed and we will be receiving up to $2.585M for St. Peter’s upgrades and up to $2.767M for Idlewyld’s upgrades. These projects will involve the installation of new HVAC systems to improve air quality and improve heating and cooling and will help maximize infection prevention and control throughout all area of the homes. We are so grateful to the federal and provincial governments for this much needed support.

“I am thrilled that the federal government was able to provide over $2 M to St. Peter’s Residence at Chedoke and over $2 M to Idlewyld Manor, both a part of Thrive Group for a project that will install a new HVAC system to improve air quality and improve heating and cooling, and to help maximize infection prevention and control throughout all areas of the long-term care home. St. Peter’s and Idlewyld are crucial Hamilton institutions providing care and support to Hamiltonians when we are at our most vulnerable." Honourable Filomena Tassi, Min of Labour, MP for Hamilton-West Ancaster Dundas

“This investment will benefit many of the most vulnerable people in our community, providing them with the comfortable and safe living spaces they deserve,” said Donna Skelly, MPP for Flamborough-Glanbrook “Our government puts the safety and well-being of long-term care residents at the heart of everything we do.”

We will continue to provide you with additional information as we proceed with these projects. In the meantime, if you have any questions, please feel free to connect with Jennifer Banks at St. Peter’s Residence at Chedoke or Bahar Karimi at Idlewyld Manor.

Please stay safe and have a good weekend.

Steve Sherrer

CEO

April 13, 2021

I hope that everyone is adjusting to this next round of “shut down” and that you have been enjoying some of the warm weather over the past couple of weeks. I wanted to let everyone know that the Pandemic Committee continues to connect to receive up to date information from each of our 18 sites and to develop or refine plans to address any challenges.

I want to reassure you that we are continuing to assess the potential risk of every situation that presents itself and that we continue to be steadfast in our commitment to our clients, residents and staff. Our 3,000 clients and residents and our 1,350 staff deserve the best and this remains our number one priority.

As you know, we continue to conduct rapid testing on our staff and essential family caregivers at our long-term care home sites. This screening is a proactive strategy to identify people who might be contagious with COVID-19 but go unrecognized.

I also wanted to let you know that we are excited to inform you that most of our congregate, supportive housing and assisted living clients have now had an opportunity to be vaccinated. This marks another great milestone in our efforts to mitigate the risk of COVID-19 spreading at our sites.

I encourage everyone to sign up for a vaccination as the eligibility criteria allows. We are seeing more light at the end of this long tunnel and we truly appreciate all the support and understanding as we continue to commit to the health and well being of our residents, clients, staff and family members.

I want to reassure you that we have no further confirmed cases of COVID-19 across any of our 18 sites. We will continue to keep you informed of any new information as it becomes available.

Please continue to look after yourselves and stay well!

Steve Sherrer

CEO

March 31st, 2021

Hello everyone,

Last year, we went into this long weekend with a sense of trepidation, not sure what to expect, or what our holidays were going to look like. Now, as we face the second Easter in this pandemic, it does not seem any easier knowing that our celebrations must still be limited so that we can keep ourselves and those we love safe and healthy.

Once again, I would like to thank you for all of your endless patience over this past year. As the first glimpses of spring bring some much-needed relief from the now all too familiar feeling of being stuck indoors, we must remain vigilant in our efforts to keep potential exposure as minimal as possible. I know it has not been easy and I understand that many of our staff will spend time working over this long weekend caring for our clients and residents. I also know that as family members, many of you will have different celebrations some virtual over this coming weekend.

As I write to you now, vaccinations are being administered across the country, with the most vulnerable and exposed among us being prioritized. We are in the beginning stages of defeating COVID-19, but we will get there! A few months ago, we started our #thrivecrushingcovid campaign to cheer on those who have been vaccinated and those who are eagerly awaiting their turn. Everyone has done an incredible job championing this campaign. For those of you who have been vaccinated, you are an inspiration to everyone for doing what is right and coming together to help us crush COVID!

Whether you celebrate Easter or simply recognize the coming of the new season, Spring represents a time of growth and rebirth, and never has this felt more true. In the days when this pandemic is nothing more than a memory, we will be able to share stories of this often difficult, sometimes inspiring and always incredible journey that we have taken together.

My hope for you over this long weekend is that you are able to find time to spend with your loved ones in whatever way you can. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart. Look after yourselves, look after your loved ones and look after each other.

Steve Sherrer

CEO

March 18th, 2021

Hello everyone,

Today I am writing to you with some good news and an exciting update. The outbreak at York was declared over today. We are so proud of the team at York for demonstrating their strengths and commitment to the infection prevention and control practices. This outbreak was limited to a single case without any transmission or spread. As we move into a third wave of the pandemic, we all must continue to keep our diligence to the required precautions at the highest level. There is light at the end of this pandemic, but we are not there yet.

Thinking about the future, we have a big project starting! We are so excited to share that St. Peter’s Residence has been selected to move forward with an expansion to the home. Please read the update about this work here. We will continue to keep you up to date as the planning work begins.

Take good care,

Steve Sherrer

CEO

March 11 2021

Hello everyone,

Today marks one full year since the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a global pandemic. Since that time, this virus has spread throughout Canada and changed how we all live our lives. This has been one of the most difficult challenges we have had to face as a country, a community, and an organization. One of the most surreal outcomes of the pandemic has been watching our clients and residents maintain separation from their loved ones. I cannot express how grateful I am for your understanding, patience, and flexibility during this unprecedented event.

With vaccines now available, residents, clients, health care staff and populations of seniors in our community are eligible to take part in this life and pandemic changing vaccine campaign. Vaccines should be available to everyone in the coming months giving us hope and comfort. We continue to encourage everyone as they are eligible to get their vaccine and join us in our mission of #ThriveCrushingCOVID.

Once again, I would like to thank all of our staff from the bottom of my heart for the unwavering dedication you have shown to our clients, residents, and their families during this incredibly trying time. Adversity does indeed make us stronger, and I believe we have all proven that during this past year. As we forge ahead toward brighter days, we will never forget the challenges faced and lessons learned along the way. Words fail to express the pride I feel in knowing that our teams were not only able to stand up to this pandemic, but were willing to go above and beyond to uphold Thrive Group’s goals and values while doing so.

I wish you all a happy and healthy way forward,

Steve Sherrer

CEO

March 5, 2021

I am happy to continue to provide you with updates related to the Thrive Group organizations’ response to the COVID-19 pandemic. We continue to monitor the status of COVID-19 cases and the variants of the virus that are causing some concern to the public health experts. Our precautions and plans continue to adapt to ensure that we have all measures in place as we continue to be focused on the well-being, health and safety of our clients, residents, staff and loved ones.

As of today, rapid antigen testing is happening in both of our long-term care homes ahead of the mandated timeline. Rapid testing is done multiple times each week for those entering the home with results available within 15 minutes. This is a huge step forward in the prevention of transmission and outbreaks.

Our community programs are also conducting proactive surveillance testing of staff as an additional precaution to protect our clients, staff and the community. This is another example of Thrive Group organizations taking measures and precautions above and beyond the guidelines in place.

As a result of the surveillance testing, we were able to identify a positive staff case at our York site in advance of any identified symptomatic contacts. In consultation with Hamilton Public Health, we have declared an outbreak at that site. Clients living at that site are self-isolating and being monitored closely for the development of any symptoms. Staff continue to wear all necessary personal protective equipment and are taking all precautionary measures. We want to reassure you that we are handling this outbreak with the outmost caution and continue to implement all of the directives provided by the Ministry of Health and Public Health. We will advise you of any updates as they become available.

I am pleased to report that we remain COVID-19 free at 17 out of 18 of our sites. Please continue to take care, stay healthy and make the best of this upcoming weekend.

Steve Sherrer

CEO

23rd February, 2021

Hello everyone,

I hope that you are doing well.

I am pleased to inform you that we have no outbreaks at any of our 17 sites. I want to thank the staff and essential caregivers for all the work that they have done over the past several months by working in collaboration and minimizing the risk of outbreaks. This continues to be a challenging time and we ask that you continue to abide by all the precautionary measures so that we can remain COVID-19 free at our sites.

Yesterday was an exciting day at our AbleLiving Services Binbrook site as many of our clients were able to receive their first vaccine dose. We look forward to the coming months when our remaining clients and staff receive their vaccines. In the meantime, please stay safe and we will, as always, keep you up to date through this platform.

Take care

Steve Sherrer

CEO

18th February, 2021

Hello everyone,

I hope that this email finds you well and you are surviving this last bit of wintery weather.

It is hard to believe that we have been on this journey for almost a full year.

For a COVID-19 update for you today, I am pleased to inform you that our outbreaks at Aghabi and St. Peter’s have been declared over. We have one small outbreak at our Lakeside site and we are anticipating that this will be declared over in the next day or two. We have no outbreaks at any of our other 16 sites. This is a testament to the outbreak management and precautionary measures we have in place and to the dedicated group of staff and essential caregivers at our sites. Congratulations on a job well done!

As you are likely aware, vaccine availability will be increasing over the course of the next several weeks. This is incredibly exciting as it is a key way to protect one another and minimize the spread of the virus. I am happy to report that over 97% of our residents at St Peter's Residence at Chedoke and Idlewyld Manor have had their second doses of vaccine. We also know that the next phase will include clients at some of our congregate care settings.

The long-term care homes are continuing their planning and preparations for rapid-testing of staff, support workers and essential caregivers in the coming days and weeks.

Visiting guidelines can be viewed on our website. Please refer to our up to date information.

As always, I wish you all the best through these challenging times. Please stay safe and healthy.

Steve

Steve Sherrer

CEO

5th February, 2021

Hello everyone,

Days are starting to get a bit longer as spring comes closer into sight. Similarly, we are seeing light on the horizon of the pandemic as hope from vaccines grows and access to rapid testing is starting in long-term care homes. New infection rates in the province are slowly decreasing however there is still significant numbers of individuals with COVID-19 in our communities.

As always, the well-being, health and safety of our clients, residents, staff and loved ones continues to remain our top priority at all Thrive Group of organizations. Our programs continue to work closely to follow all the directives and implement the precautions required to keep our residents, clients and staff healthy.

The outbreak at St. Peter’s Residence continues and involves one single resident case and one staff case at this time. The home continues to keep residents, staff and families up to date regularly and continues to closely monitor all residents and staff for signs of infection.

Lakeside Court in Mississauga has declared an outbreak involving one staff member. The outbreak status of our Mississauga, Aghabi Transitional site continues. Public health has supported testing for all staff and clients at those locations. The team is ensuring communication is maintained with all of the individuals impacted at those sites.

We reassure you that all our staff is extremely experienced in managing respiratory illnesses and that we are following all directions from the Ministry of Health and our local Public Health unit. We have rigorous infection management practices and processes in place throughout all our locations.

At this time, we want to acknowledge the unwavering courage and devotion of our staff in the provision of quality care to our clients and residents. Thank you for your on-going understanding and support during this difficult time. Please be assured that we are continuing to make decisions in the best interests of our clients, residents and staff to make sure that their health and safety remain our highest priority.

Stay healthy and safe.

Steve Sherrer

CEO

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December 27th, 2020

Hello everyone,

Late last week we received a new set of COVID-19 precaution changes which our teams are working to prepare to implement starting Friday March 31st and in the days that follow.

With the challenging respiratory illness season now behind us, the public health experts have identified that the high vaccine uptake among our residents/clients and the availability of safe and effective therapeutics (such as antiviral medication) have minimized the risk of severe outcomes and it is now time to recalibrate our current response measures.

The Ministry of Long-Term Care (MLTC) is working closely with the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health (OCMOH) to normalize and embed effective COVID-19 response measures into routine operations, including winding down COVID-specific policies through a phased approach.
The first phase of winding down measures for those visiting, living, and working in our long-term care and community settings include:

Removal of Asymptomatic Screen Testing (or Rapid Antigen Testing)

With the widespread availability of vaccines and antivirals, adherence to the new Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) Standard, and the high levels of immunity in the general community, there is no evidence to support the need for ongoing asymptomatic screen testing requirements.

• Effective March 31st, 2023 visitors and staff will no longer be required to rapid test upon entry to our buildings
• If you are experiencing symptoms of any illness (runny nose, cough/congestion, nausea, diarrhea etc.), please do not come in to the site until your symptoms are resolved.
• All of our programs will have rapid antigen test kits available for asymptomatic staff or visitors requesting to complete a test – however these tests do NOT permit individuals with symptoms of a communicable infection into any of our programs.

Visitor and Employee Passive Screening

• Screening will become Passive Screening as we are no longer required to do Active Screening.
• All staff and visitors will still be required to self-monitor for any symptoms of any communicable infections and should NOT enter any of our sites if experiencing ANY symptoms.
• When visitors arrive at the site, you will be required to independently review posted screening questions. There will no longer be a staff person verifying your screening. You will then sign into the visitor log completing all requested information. You are required to sign-out when you leave the visit.
• Upon entry to our sites, all visitors and staff will still be required to perform hand hygiene and apply a new medical mask before proceeding to the unit/floor.

Visitor Policy Updates

A number of changes will be made to our visiting policy, which is currently being updated. We will share this policy widely and post it on our website once it is finalized. Some of the changes will include:

• Visitors are no longer required to provide proof of vaccination.
•  There will be no limit on the numbers of visitors, unless there is an outbreak at the site.
• Booking of visits for general visitors is no longer required.
• Residents/clients or substitute decision makers may designate caregivers as essential visitors through the regular process outlined in the visiting policy

Physical Distancing

• Physical distancing and cohorting for resident programs are no longer a requirement
• Staff are still required to be physically distanced at break times when they are not wearing masks.

Masking

• Masking requirements remain in place for all staff when indoors and when outdoors with residents/clients.
• Masking requirements remain in place for all visitors when indoor in common or shared spaces or rooms, masks may be removed in private resident/client rooms or when visiting outdoors.

Vaccinations

Part of the reason we can reduce these precautions is related to the high vaccine rates among our residents/clients and the immunity within our population. We continue to encourage all residents, clients, visitors and staff to remain “up-to-date” with your COVID-19 and seasonal Influenza vaccines.

Daily Resident/Client Screening

All residents and clients will continue to be screened for symptoms of any infectious illness as part or our routine infection prevention and control screening practices. This means that temperatures checks are not required daily as general screening. Only residents/clients demonstrating any symptoms will require a documented screening/assessment followed by immediate action to reduce transmission such as isolation precautions and cohorting.

We understand that there may be mixed feelings about some of these precaution changes. Our leaders and teams will continue to monitor for risk, and we will manage them in alignment with the current guidelines and directives with support from our infection prevention and control leads and our partners at our local public health units.

Stay well and take care,

Steve Sherrer

CEO

December 7th, 2022

Hello everyone,

We are only a couple of weeks away from the holidays and infections are already taking full advantage of opportunities to mix and mingle in the community. Layering the COIVD-19 pandemic with an Influenza epidemic on the heels of a major RSV surge, we are seeing more and more long-term care homes, community programs and hospitals show up on outbreak listings. Local children’s hospitals are overwhelmed and schools are seeing epic levels of absences. Cases of Influenza and COVID-19 are expected to soar in the month of December. We are asking that all of you, our stakeholders support the efforts to keep our residents, clients and staff healthy and safe.

This message today comes with a big plea to get vaccinated for Influenza and COVID-19. We are asking all residents, clients, staff, families and loved ones to get immunized.

The INFLUENZA VACCINE is a GOOD MATCH this year for the circulating strain. Influenza vaccines are safe and effective at preventing serious illness caused by Influenza viruses.

The COVID-19 VACCINE has been a GAME CHANGER in the pandemic in that it has significantly reduced the impact of serious illness and death linked to COVID-19 infections.

Local pharmacies book appointments and some accept walk-ins. Check the pharmacies in grocery stores, big box stores and some of the smaller independent ones too! We also have the GO VAXX bus coming to our Binbrook site that is providing COVID-19 vaccines – available to anyone on December 9th from 12 to 5.

Both vaccines take about two weeks to offer protection, so please get your vaccines as soon as possible so that you are bringing your best immunity to the upcoming holiday festivities!

Stay well and take care,

Steve Sherrer

CEO

November 18th, 2022

Hello everyone,

Staying consistent is not something that this pandemic has done. Continually over the past two and a half years we have adapted and shifted related to the changing circumstances caused by COVID-19. Unfortunately, our health care system and all of us are plagued with a strong resurgence of two additional viruses, Influenza and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV). Once again, the hospitals are overloaded with patients needing acute and intensive care, and a large population of this is sadly now children.

Early this week Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Kieran Moore, issued a strong recommendation for Ontarians to wear masks in all indoor public spaces. As you know, masks continue to be required indoors for staff, visitors and others entering our homes. While not required, masks are strongly recommended for caregivers and visitors when they are alone with clients and residents in their rooms.

Dr. Moore also stressed the importance of continued screening, testing, and rigorous IPAC practices, and ensuring that all residents and clients are offered the COVID-19 bivalent booster and seasonal influenza vaccine as soon as possible. It is strongly recommended that residents, clients, staff and visitors receive both vaccinations, which can be safely administered at the same time, as high uptake is key to preventing severe illness amongst our vulnerable population and ensuring our workforce is healthy and available to provide care.

Some key reminders at this time:

1. Get your Influenza vaccine if you have not already.
2. Obtain your Bivalent COVID-19 vaccine as soon as you are eligible (90 days after your last vaccine or infection).
3. If you have ANY respiratory symptoms at all (even if you test negative for COVID-19) – do not visit or attend any of our sites. A “little cold” for you may be life threatening to others.

We will be modifying our COVID-19 testing protocol over the next week that continues to require daily testing for all staff and visitors. We have seen several cases of re-infection in the 90 days post COVID-19 infection, so we have decided to resume daily rapid testing for staff that have a resolved infection. Visitors and caregivers are also welcome to resume daily rapid testing after recovery from a COVID-19 infection.

Everyone entering our sites has a shared responsibility to do what they can to protect our residents, clients and our dedicated staff. Our teams continue to practice and hone their skills in outbreak prevention and management. We utilize our supply chains and resource management to always ensure sufficient levels of PPE and infection prevention and control supplies.

Take care and stay well,

Steve Sherrer

CEO

October 13th, 2022

Hello everyone,

On the heels of a beautiful fall weekend and reflecting on what we are thankful for, there are a number of things that come to mind in terms of the progress made in the fight against COVID-19. The vaccine has been an incredible game-changer to the outcomes experienced by residents, clients, staff and the population as a whole. As the world continues to find the right balance in the ever-changing landscape of the pandemic, we received some new guidelines for COVID-19 precautions late last week from the Ministry. We will be working to have most of these changes in place by Friday October 14th. Below are the highlights of the changes we are working to implement.

Staying “up-to-date” with vaccines – We continue to encourage everyone to stay up-to-date with your COVID-19 vaccines. All adults over the age of 18 are eligible to obtain the bivalent vaccine 6 months after your last vaccine (or COVID-19 infection). Health care workers, essential caregivers, residents and clients are eligible 3 months after their last vaccine (or infection). Please check your eligibility and continue with your vaccination schedule. We also encourage everyone to obtain their seasonal Influenza vaccine as well!

COVID-19 Vaccine requirements continue – Our vaccine policy remains in place for staff and the visiting policy continues to outline COVID-19 vaccine requirements for indoor visitors and caregivers.

Self-Monitor with attention - Paying close attention to how you are feeling is very important. A “cold”, a scratchy throat, some new nasal congestion or even additional fatigue could be an indication of COVID-19 infection. We have had several incidents where someone has tested positive on a rapid test and then will identify that they in fact had a symptom(s) on the list of COVID-19 symptoms.

Screening –Active screening by a screener continues to be a requirement for all visitors and caregivers. We may be working to modify the screening processes for staff based on the changing guidelines in the coming weeks.

Rapid testing – We have decided to continue to require daily rapid testing for all staff and visitors entering our homes as we continue to identify positive cases regularly through this approach. We continue to encourage the use of the most accurate sample collection that includes swabbing inside the mouth (or the throat) in addition to the nose.

Mask use by caregivers and visitors – We continue to require universal masking at all programs and homes that provide care and services. The Ministry continues to recommend (but no longer requires) caregivers and visitors to wear masks when alone in a resident/client room (1:1 scenarios). This would also include eating/drinking in resident/client rooms. If the resident or client is in a shared room, alternative accommodations will need to be considered and masks must be worn. Visitors must wear masks in all other areas inside of the home or when any staff are present in the resident/client room. Masks are no longer required for outdoor visits. Staff masking is still required at all times.

Visitor limits – The Ministry has lifted their limits on numbers of visitors permitted to visit at a time. Each program and site has reviewed visiting limits that are permitted to optimize and support physical distancing. That information will be shared directly from the program you are a part of.

Physical distancing – Is still very much encouraged. Residents/clients, staff and visitors are encouraged to continue to practice physical distancing and urged to avoid situations like crowded places in which COVID-19 may spread more easily.

Isolation & Testing of Residents & Clients – Several changes to the precautions have been made to decrease the impact to residents and clients related to isolation and testing. The changes are as follows:
Post absence - isolation is no longer required unless the resident/client is symptomatic or tests positive for COVID-19
Admission/readmission/transfer – isolation and testing is not required unless coming from an outbreak site
Close contacts – residents/clients that are a close contact of a person with COVID-19 are no longer required to isolate, unless they have symptoms or they are the roommate of someone positive with COVID-19

These precautions will take some adjusting for everyone. The approach to COVID-19 is changing and finding that balance of caution and normality is the goal. Our dedicated staff continue to practice and hone their skills in outbreak prevention and management. We utilize our supply chains and resource management to always ensure sufficient levels of PPE and infection prevention and control supplies.

Take care and stay well,

Steve Sherrer

CEO

July 15th, 2022

Hello everyone,

Here we are in mid-July and in what appears to be the seventh wave of this COVID-19 pandemic, a couple months earlier than originally anticipated

The case numbers of COVID-19 infections are similar to the early winter months. We are seeing significant amounts of community transmission of infection related to the very high transmissibility of the newest variants and the decrease in the wide-spread public health precautions. These high case numbers put all our programs, sites and homes at risk of outbreak affecting our residents, clients and staff in very significant ways. The following strategies will help us through this current wave of the pandemic:

Self-monitoring and screening – Paying close attention to how you are feeling is very important. A scratchy throat, some new nasal congestion or even additional fatigue could be an early sign of COVID-19 infection. Please be sure to take time to reflect on how you are feeling before you attend any of our programs, sites or homes.

Enhancing rapid testing – We continue to require daily rapid testing for all staff and visitors entering our homes. At this time we will be moving towards more accurate sample collection that includes swabbing inside the mouth (or the throat) in addition to the nose. We know that Omicron is being identified earlier in the throat than in the nose and this can identify cases earlier. Click here for a detailed guide on how to preform a Rapid Antigen Test.

Staying up-to-date with vaccines – We continue to encourage everyone to stay up-to-date with your COVID-19 vaccines. This week the province has announced that 4th doses (or 2nd booster doses) are available to all adults over the age of 18. Please check your eligibility and continue with your vaccination schedule. Those of us working and visiting high-risk settings, such as the locations in which we provide care and services, should ensure we are doing everything we can to keep ourselves infection free when interacting with those most vulnerable.

Mask use and eye protection – We continue to require universal masking at all of our programs and homes that provide care and services. Although there is no longer a provincial mask mandate in place, we do believe that masking does provide protection when in crowded places. We also encourage our staff and visitors to utilize higher level masks such as KN95s or N95s that we have available for use when requested at screening and consider wearing eye protection again, as these may become mandatory in the future.

Preparedness and planning – Our fall preparedness activities have been moved up to ensure we remain in good shape to manage this wave of the pandemic. Unfortunately, this wave is happening during the time our staff are trying to take their well-deserved summer vacations. Our dedicated staff continue to practice and hone their skills in outbreak prevention and management. We utilize our supply chains and resource management to always ensure sufficient levels of PPE and infection prevention and control supplies.

We hope that you all enjoy the summer safely. Take care and stay well,

Steve Sherrer

CEO

June 9th, 2022

Hello everyone,

We hope that you are enjoying the warm weather and are looking forward to some summertime activities.

We continue to monitor the current COVID-19 situation in our province and our local areas. We are happy to see the number of COVID-19 cases decreasing and the hospital pressures alleviating at this time. These are contributing factors in the recent provincial COVID-19 precaution changes. Effective June 11th, many of the provincial precautions are being lifted. Of note, many of the masking mandates will be lifted. Some exceptions for masking mandates do remain. Masks are still required in all longterm care home and retirement homes in the province. Masking is still recommended in higher-risk congregate living settings.

Due to the nature of the work we do and the vulnerability of our workforce, Thrive Group will be continuing with all masking requirements for all staff, students, volunteers, caregivers, visitors and contracted workers in all of our sites and programs for both indoor and outdoor activities. This includes the Osler offices. Residents and clients are still encouraged to wear masks when gathering in groups when distancing is not permitted.

We will continue to evaluate the precautions being implemented and will adjust and modify them as required.

Take care and stay well,

Steve Sherrer

CEO

March 29th, 2022

Hello everyone,

All of Thrive Group’s member organizations, are continuing to review our practices, precautions and policies as the province lifts COVID-19 precautions in the broader community. Our vaccine policies have been under review and today we have some updates for you.

Employee Vaccination Policy

At this time, Thrive Group organizational leaders have completed the review of the employee policy for COVID-19 vaccinations. This policy applies to all of our staff, including students, volunteers and contracted/support workers that provide care or services within the organization. The decision has been made to continue to require all staff to be fully vaccinated based on the definition of “fully vaccinated” by Health Canada. At this time, that definition does not include a third or booster dose of vaccine. It is still very much the position of Thrive Group that all staff obtain the additional or booster doses that are recommended as soon as eligible.

Visitor and Essential Caregiver Vaccination Policy

The vaccine requirements for visitors and essential caregivers continues to be under review as we continue to investigate how to adequately balance resident and clients’ rights with safety for everyone that enters our homes and other sites. We will share the updated policy as soon as we are able to finalize this plan. In the meantime, all individuals entering our programs must be fully vaccinated (minimum 2 doses of vaccine).

We know that the vaccine works well at preventing severe illness requiring hospitalization and it works relatively well at preventing illness in general for the period of time after a booster dose. We continue to echo the messages the Chief Medical Officer of Health in saying “I encourage all health care workers as well as all Ontarians to remain up-to-date in their COVID-19 vaccines, and to receive all doses, including additional doses, that are recommended as soon as they are eligible”.

Take care and stay well,

Steve Sherrer

CEO

March 19th, 2022

Hello everyone,

With the clocks changing last weekend we are seeing longer, brighter days and some mild temperaturesit is really starting to feel like spring! Spring brings feelings of hope and fresh new beginnings. We are remaining hopeful for what the coming weeks and months bring, but along with that hope, we are remaining cautious. Many of our residents and clients are vulnerable to the COVID virus still circulating in our community. Public health and health system indicators are improving, but we are not fully out of the woods yet.

Recently in the province, there have been changes announced in terms of lifting COVID-19 precautions. Some of which include lifting of vaccine requirements, capacity limits, masking mandates and decreases to travel-related testing. Although we are all looking forward to the days when things return to “normal” these changes in the broader community have the potential to lead to additional spread of the virus. This highlights the need for us to remain diligent with our remaining layers of safety precautions. Today we wanted to clarify how some of these precautions impact our organizations.

Vaccinations

As shared last week, Thrive Group is still in the process of reviewing our COVID-19 vaccine policies for staff, students, volunteers, support workers, essential caregivers and visitors. We plan to communicate these updates by the end of the month. At this time, at minimum, individuals entering our programs must be fully vaccinated (minimum 2 doses of vaccine).

We know that the vaccine works well at preventing severe illness requiring hospitalization and it works relatively well at preventing illness in general for the period of time after a booster dose. We continue to echo the messages the Chief Medical Officer of Health in saying “I encourage all health care workers as well as all Ontarians to remain up-to-date in their COVID-19 vaccines, and to receive all doses, including additional doses, that are recommended as soon as they are eligible”.

Masking Requirements

Although the provincial masking mandate for a variety of settings is being lifted on March 21st this will not apply to many places, including health care settings until a date later in April. Masks will still be required in health care settings including hospitals, long-term care homes and congregate care settings. We have also decided to maintain masking in our non-care providing settings (offices) at this time. Please ensure that you continue to wear a mask when entering any of our sites and that you follow the universal making procedures of the site you are visiting.

Take care and stay well,

Steve Sherrer

CEO

March 12th, 2022

Hello everyone,

This week we received information regarding a number of changes to COVID-19 precautions as the Ministry of Long-Term Care recalibrates the response. Key public health and system health indicators continue to improve each week.

Vaccination Policy

Provincial directives were put in place for health care settings to develop and implement COVID-19 vaccine policies. These policies evolved over time based on the available evidence of vaccine efficacy and impact of the variant at the time. We know that this action resulted in tremendous success in our ability to mitigate the severity of outbreaks and get us to the other side of the Omicron wave.

At this time, the province has shifted their approach from a provincial directive for homes to have a mandatory vaccination policy, to a guidance-based approach that continues to support homes with their employer-led policies and best practices.

Accordingly, Thrive Group will be extending the current deadline of March 14th for LTC staff, students, volunteers, support workers and essential caregivers to obtain a booster/third vaccine by two weeks (until March 28th) so that we can review our policy based on this new information.

We do echo the messages the Chief Medical Officer of Health in saying “I encourage all health care workers as well as all Ontarians to remain up-to-date in their COVID-19 vaccines, and to receive all doses, including additional doses, that are recommended as soon as they are eligible”.

Visiting, Absences and Social Activities

Limits on visitors are increased to a total of 4 visitors (which includes visitors and essential caregivers). All visitors will still be rapid tested prior to visits. Children under the age of 5 are now eligible to be general visitors. All indoor general visitors are still required to be fully vaccinated (unless under the age of 5). Outdoor general visits are permitted with limits to be set by each home based on availability and size of space. Outdoor visitors do not require visitors to be vaccinated.

All residents and clients are permitted to leave the respective home, regardless of vaccine status. Please refer to our absence guideline on our website.

Social activities can begin to happen between resident and client cohorts and in some larger groups, permitted there is no eating, masks are worn as tolerated and distancing is maintained.

Reopening Ontario Act, 2020 Expiring

There were several regulations introduced that supported operations and human resource shortages during the pandemic. Many of these regulations are being removed in the upcoming months and our programs are working to resume normal practices in these areas.

We will continue to keep you apprised of how these changes will be implemented across our 18 sites. As always, we again want to thank all of you…our residents, clients, family members and staff for being flexible and extremely resilient throughout the pandemic and especially during the most recent Omicron wave. Your commitment to the safety of our Thrive family is truly inspiring. Your willingness to receive the recommended vaccines truly helped us limit the severe impact that outbreaks have had in other settings and we are feeling hopeful that we are on the downside of the Omicron wave.

Steve Sherrer

CEO

March 7th, 2022

March 8th is International Women’s Day, a day to recognize the achievements of the women in our families and communities. The first recorded women’s rights marches took place in the early 1900’s, and it has taken more than a century of hard work and progress as a society to get to where we are today in the fight for gender equality. Strong, compassionate, influential women are becoming more prominent in leadership roles around the world, but there is still work to be done.

In times of global crisis, women, as a population, invariably suffer more than men. International Women’s Day exists to remind us to consider what we can do to contribute to fair and equal wages, freedom from violence, accessible and affordable housing and childcare, and opportunities for women to thrive and live life in the way they choose, not the way society chooses for them.

I would like to thank the women in our Organization for the work that they do to support our services and strengthen our community. I am grateful to all of you and the impact you have on the lives of our clients, residents and staff. The work we do is only possible when we truly come together. I would also like to thank all the women outside of our organization who love, support and inspire us.

Have a wonderful day and stay safe,

Steve Sherrer

CEO

Ontario Asking Citizens to Embrace the Ontario Spirit and Volunteer

New portal matching volunteers with opportunities to help out during an emergency

TORONTO — The Ontario government is calling on citizens 16 years of age and older to help their communities in times of crisis by joining Volunteer Corps Ontario. The new program will register, screen and train volunteers so Ontario is better prepared to mobilize volunteers and safely respond to emergencies, from public health crises to natural disasters.

Please visit The Ministry of Ontario Newsroom for more information.

February 18th, 2022

Hello everyone,

As the province continues to adjust and lift pandemic related precautions, we have been advised by the Ministry to expect information on some changes to the precautions we currently have in place within our programs. While we do not have the exact details yet, we anticipate that starting sometime early next week, general visiting will be resuming at our long-term care and congregate sites that are not currently in outbreak, suspect outbreak or on a precautionary watch.

At this time, we know that the updated visiting guidelines include:

• General visitors must be 5 years and older who have had at least two COVID-19 vaccine doses. Children under 5 continue to be restricted with the exception of infants 12 months or younger.
• Limits on visitors are increasing to 3 at a time (this includes general visitors and essential caregivers)
• We continue to require all general visits to be booked in advance.

Please contact reception or the program office to make arrangements. We are also anticipating receiving information regarding some changes to the precautions surrounding social absences and temporary absences. We will communicate these changes next week directly from the programs and on our website.

Take good care and happy Family Day weekend!

Steve Sherrer

CEO

February 16th, 2022

To our families and caregivers,

This upcoming Monday is Family Day, and what better way to get through the last of these long winter months than to spend time reflecting on the importance of family? Our lives can get busy, and it is not always easy to slow down and take stock of what is really important to us. Family Day is the perfect time to reconnect with the people who bring our lives joy and meaning.

The word family means something different to everyone. Whether you are celebrating with the family you were born into, or the family that you have chosen along your journey, our relationships have shaped us into the people we are today, and this weekend, all across Canada, we are reaching out to say thank you.

Thrive Group would not be able to do what we do for our clients and residents without the support of their friends and families. It is the strength of our communities that keeps our programs running. The pandemic introduced new and difficult challenges for all of us, but we have risen to face those challenges, and we have grown so much together. Thank you for doing your part to keep not only your own family safe, but the families of all of those who live in our communities. Today, we celebrate all of you.

I would also like to thank the families of our staff who will be coming in to work over the long weekend. I understand that giving this time to our clients and residents is a sacrifice our team members make time and time again, and we are so grateful.

I wish you all a happy, healthy Family Day weekend.

Steve.

Steve Sherrer

CEO

February 12th, 2022

Hello everyone,

We continue to hear that the COVID-19 situation in the province is moving in the right direction with regards to the impact of cases on the health care system, specifically our hospitals. This is in large part, due to the success of the vaccine campaign in the province.

At this time our staff booster vaccine rates are trending to meet the timelines set out in our policy. We remind all essential caregivers to notify your programs of your booster vaccine status to help us ensure our rates are accurate. We also encourage all general visitors to obtain their booster vaccines prior to general visiting resuming in our homes potentially later this month.

Thrive Group continues to modify our vaccine policy for staff, visitors and caregivers as directives come forward from the Ministry of Health. This week we have been instructed to modify our vaccine policy to allow individuals that have recently had a COVID-19 infection to wait 3 months from the onset of their infection to obtain their third dose/booster dose of vaccine. Our policies will be updated to reflect this flexibility in the coming days. Individuals are encouraged to speak with their health care providers to determine if an earlier booster/third dose is appropriate for them.

The evidence surrounding the COVID-19 vaccine continues support that the vaccine is extremely safe and effective at preventing transmission, illness and severe illness caused by COVID-19. The most recent changes are to support a better and longer lasting immune system response for those that have had an COVID-19 infection.

Stay well,

Janine Mills,
Quality and Privacy Officer,
Pandemic Lead

February 4th, 2022

Hello everyone,

This week has brought with it some encouraging news related to this current wave of the pandemic and a hope for an early spring (if the groundhog got it right!). In January, the provincial government shared broader plans for the province re-opening through February and March 2022. This week they provided plans for easing some of the temporary enhanced measures put in place for our Homes during the Omicron wave.

Effective February 7th , residents and clients in our homes (that are not in an outbreak situation) will be permitted to designate up to four (4) essential caregivers and those caregivers can visit with up to two individuals at a time. Social absences will also be permitted for residents and clients that have had at least three (3) COVID-19 doses, provided the following is in place:

• ensuring that infection control practices of limiting contact with others
• avoiding large gatherings
• following masking and distancing as much as possible and
• only being in close contact with individuals who have had three (3) COVID-19 vaccine doses

The province has also shared information about additional easing of restrictions on visiting and absences targeting the next changes to be implemented effective February 21 st and another March 14 th . You can read more about the future expected changes here. The Omicron surge has demonstrated significant impact to our programs and our teams over the past couple of months. Our teams continued to demonstrate the values of Thrive Group by demonstrating innovation, versatility and teamwork as we managed the operational and staffing challenges. During this time, we did see more cases of COVID-19 among our staff, resident and client populations than we did in previous waves. St. Peter’s Residence is working to end an outbreak that has now been contained to one home area and today, Idlewyld Manor was able to declare an outbreak over. The community programs have been managing several suspect outbreak situations and have been able to declare most of them over. The teams have truly demonstrated their skills with the management of these infections. All program or site specific updates will continue to come to you directly from the leaders at the respective programs.

As we move forward into the reopening post the Omicron surge, we ask that you continue to demonstrate patience and kindness to our staff and one another. The pandemic is far from over and we are now looking to adapt in different ways to reopen safely as we work to balance the right level of precautions. Everyone has differing comfort levels with this and we are working to ensure, as always, the safety and well being of our residents, clients and staff.

We hope that you have a good weekend and please take good care and stay well.

Steve Sherrer

CEO

January 21st, 2022

Hello everyone,

It is hard to believe that we are already well into the second half of January and nearing the second anniversary of the pandemic. As anticipated, the Omicron wave of this pandemic is having a significant impact on the community and to an already overwhelmed health care system and beyond. The increased communicability of this variant has led to many of us becoming ill at the same time that hospitals, intensive care units are beyond maximum capacity with patients while being challenged with less staff due to illness.

Our staff and leaders have been working tirelessly since before the holidays and throughout the entire pandemic to continue to provide care and services to our residents and clients. We are so grateful for this committed and dedicated team. We are also grateful for the kindness and understanding of all of our clients, residents and family members as we continue to make changes to operations and precautions that are aligned with the changing landscape of this pandemic.

Vaccinations are a very important part in the fight against this virus. Vaccines alone are not the answer, but they are showing, with third/booster doses, to be very effective at preventing illness and reducing the likelihood of hospitalization.

Here is some messaging from the Ministry of Health about Omicron and the importance of COVID-19 Vaccines:

• The number of people who have become infected with Omicron is increasing rapidly. Reinfection is more common than with other variants and two doses of vaccine are unlikely to protect against Omicron infection.
• While severity of illness from Omicron among unimmunized and/or previously uninfected individuals remains uncertain, including among the elderly, it is clear that vaccination does reduce the risk of hospitalization.
• Vaccination remains the best defence against COVID-19, including the Omicron variant.
• High rates of vaccination, including booster doses, can also help preserve hospital capacity
• despite being less severe, Omicron is causing significant burden on the health care system.
• Boosters provide better protection against the Omicron variant. For example: o A study from England showed a third dose was 88% effective at preventing hospitalization following infection with Omicron. o Another study from the UK in those 65 years of age and over showed a booster was 94% effective against hospitalization within two to nine weeks and 89% effective at 10 or more weeks.
• Even for people infected with COVID-19, a third dose offers increased protection and can be administered in Ontario as soon as symptoms have resolved and the isolation period is over, with the optimal time being at least 30 days after infection.
• Pfizer and Moderna are both mRNA vaccines. Since they use the same technology, they can be safely mixed and will provide a strong immune response that protects against severe illness.

Vaccines at Thrive Group:

• At this time all staff, students, volunteers, contracted staff, essential caregivers and general visitors (when general visits are safe to resume) are required by the Ministry of Long-term Care and our Thrive Group policy to have shown proof of a booster dose of vaccine.
• All LTC residents are being offered a third, and when eligible, a fourth booster dose. Booster doses are also being provided to clients in the community and fourth doses are now eligible for anyone that meets the immunocompromised criteria.

We will continue to provide you with additional information as it becomes available. Once again thank you all for your patience, understanding and kindness to our staff as we continue to work through these unchartered waters.

Take good care and stay well,

Steve Sherrer

CEO

December 31st, 2021

Hello everyone,

It is New Year’s Eve today and we are bracing for a bumpy start to 2022 with hope that this new year ultimately brings us to the end of this pandemic and back to a more normal time. We expect cases numbers and transmissions of COVID 19 to exceed anything we had even imagined. Symptoms with this variant are shorter lasting and milder than with previous variants- however the rate of spread is overwhelming the testing systems in the province.

Yesterday the Chief Medical Officer of Health provided some new directions to the province and to our health care settings:

• Laboratory- based PCR testing is being limited to high-risk populations. Here is a link that highlights who would be eligible for a PCR test and the circumstances surrounding the testing.
• The province is encouraging everyone to use the website Ontario.ca/exposed and to use the online self assessment tool to determine if you need to isolate or be tested based on your symptoms or contact risks.
• We have new directives and recommendations regarding vaccines. Third/booster doses are going to be required for staff, students, volunteers, essential caregivers, support workers and general visitors in our programs. All individuals that are eligible at this time. If you are 3 months (84 days) post your second vaccine, you are eligible for your booster, please book your appointments for your third/booster vaccine as soon as possible
• Due to waning immunity, 4th doses of vaccine are now being recommended for individuals in living in LTC and congregate settings.
• There are new guidelines for staff that have had an exposure to a COVID-19 case. These individuals may be permitted to continue to work if they continue to pass the series of testing requirements outlined by the Chief Medical Officer of Health. This process is called “testing to work”. We will evaluate operational needs and risk levels as appropriate.
• The Ministry has also put a temporary pause on general visitors and social absences from the homes.

In the coming days we will be providing more information about some of the above mentioned changes. Please continue to monitor our website for updated resources as we update them to reflect the recent changes.

Thank you for your continued patience, understanding and kindness to our staff as they continue to work through these unchartered waters over the holiday season. Please reach out to the leaders at your programs if you have questions.

Take good care and cheers to a happy and healthy New Year,

Steve Sherrer

CEO

December 28th, 2021

Hello everyone,

We hope that you found some ways to safely celebrate the holidays. Our incredible teams have continued through the holidays working to support the health, safety and wellbeing of our clients, residents and staff in this quickly evolving wave of the pandemic.

As you will be aware, things are changing significantly by the day (and by the hour) related to this Omicron variant. Case numbers have never been as high as they are today and are expected to continue to grow at a rapid rate. If things continue to move as projected, it is very likely that all of us will have contact either directly or indirectly with a COVID-19 case and many of us will contract this variant. Thankfully, the experience to date with this variant is resulting in a shorter and more mild presentation of illness for most individuals.

At this point, our biggest focus is to limit the spread of COVID-19 within our sites/programs and ensure we can sustain adequate levels of our most valuable resources – our staff.

If you have not already, we strongly urge you to book your appointment for your third/booster dose of the vaccine. We suspect that eventually the booster will be a requirement to be “fully vaccinated”. This dose is critically important and is showing to decrease the risk of severe illness if infected with COVID-19.

In recent days, we have implemented isolation precautions at both of our long-term care homes related to identified staff cases of COVID-19. We continue to prepare and modify our programs and services in the community to adjust to the changing needs.

We know that a number of further changes to our practices and directives are on the horizon. We continue to monitor these changes and promptly implement updated practices. Many of these directives are coming from both provincial and local public health experts and authorities to keep our vulnerable residents and clients and our invaluable staff as safe as possible.

Just today we received word that the Ministry of Health is suspending all general visits to long-term care homes as well as day absences for social purposes.

In the coming days we anticipate provincial and local changes to how we approach testing for COVID-19. Currently testing appointments have been a challenge to get, yet they are required to ensure our workforce is safe to continue to work. We also anticipate more information on approaches for “work isolation” or “testing to work” in which, our staff who may have had an exposure can continue to provide services and care based on frequent testing, screening requirements and continued use of appropriate PPE.

Thank you for your continued patience, understanding and kindness to our staff as they continue to work through these unchartered waters over the holiday season.

Please reach out to the leaders at your programs if you have questions.

Take good care,

Steve Sherrer

CEO

December 24th, 2021

Hello everyone,

I am reaching out to wish you all a very happy holiday season. This year, like the one before, has been full of challenges and once again you have all done an exceptional job working through them. It takes great courage and determination to not only persevere, but thrive during times like these, and I see that throughout our community every single day.

Although the threat of COVID still looms as we work to manage new variants of concern, we have made so much progress toward getting ourselves and our community vaccinated. As we enter this fourth wave of the pandemic, I know you will all do what you can to continue to protect yourself and those around you as you celebrate the season.

At the turn of the new year, we sing Auld Langs Syne and share a toast to days gone by. It is a tribute to what we have learned and how much we have grown, while ushering in the hopes of better, brighter days to come. It is hard to see outbreak numbers on the rise again, but with booster shots available to everyone, and the experience we have gained from past surges, we will get through this one as well. I am looking forward to the day when we can once again organize events and gather in person to celebrate. Until then, I hope you all find some way to spend quality time with those dearest to you.

I would like to thank you all for your ongoing support, trust and confidence in our organization as well as your help to stop the spread of COVID-19. Your ongoing support of our teams allows us to do what we can to keep our community safe.

Wishing you and yours a happy holiday and all the very best in the new year.

Steve Sherrer

CEO

December 15th, 2021

As indicated in my December 10th update, we have now received communication from Ministry regarding a number of temporary enhanced precautions related to the new COVID-19 variant Omicron. These added precautions are necessary to provide optimal safety and support to residents/clients while balancing the mental and emotional well-being of those we serve and their families, and to safeguard the staff who are critical to the care of residents and clients.

Please review the following table to see the changes.

Updated Precautions and Strategies For LTC, Community Congregate and Transitional Care Programs

Screening	All individuals must be screened prior to entry into the home and residents and clients are screened for symptoms daily (unless requirements related to return/admissions/transfers apply)
Surveillance Testing	All staff, students, volunteers, caregivers and general visitors will require a negative covid test on the day of entry to the home or proof of a negative test from the previous day. Testing is required for outdoor general visits Testing not required for infants under one year of age Individuals who show proof of a confirmed COVID-19 infection in the past 30 days should not be rapid tested
Vaccinations	All clients, residents, staff, students, visitors, essential caregivers and volunteers are strongly encouraged to receive their COVID-19 boosters as soon as eligible. Boosters shots are considered to provide the best level of protection from the Omicron variant Effective December 15 at 7pm: General visitors who are not fully vaccinated will be restricted from entering the home. Outdoor visits still permitted (where feasible) for unvaccinated individuals. Effective December 20: Essential caregivers must show proof of their first vaccine dose as of December 20th and by February 21, 2022 must show proof of all required vaccine doses. Until fully vaccinated, these caregivers will be limited to visiting their loved on in their room. Essential caregivers designated after December 14th are required to be fully vaccinated to gain entry to the home. Exceptions will be made if individual is medically exempt or if it is a palliative situation.
Visitor Limit Maximum Numbers	Outdoor visits (where feasible): Up to four people per resident/client at a time (includes essential caregivers). Indoor visits: Up to two people per resident/client at a time (includes essential caregivers). Essential Caregivers: Residents/clients can designate a maximum of two caregivers (unless more than two caregivers were already designated prior to December 14th)
Social Activities	All resident/client activities are cohorted to the unit and large group activities are suspended.
Absences	Day absences Day absences for social purposes are permitted for fully vaccinated residents/clients only. Requirements for return to home for day absence: Actively screen upon return Rapid test AND PCR test (where available) on day 3 following absence, followed by PCR test on day 7 No isolation is required unless positive result is received If known exposure to a case, PCR test on day 1 and day 7 and isolate until a negative result is confirmed from day 7 Overnight absences Overnight absences for social purposes are being suspended, regardless of vaccination status. LTC Residents who wish to leave the home overnight for social purposes will need to follow the appropriate discharge and re-admission to LTC process. Community clients leaving for overnight absences must receive a PCR test prior to return and isolate according to admission requirements outlined below. Essential, medical and compassionate and palliative absences are still permitted, regardless of vaccination status.
Admissions/ Transfers readmissions from another healthcare facility (not in an outbreak)	If asymptomatic and fully vaccinated and no known exposure to a case, do PCR test prior to admission or on arrival at the site, with isolation until a negative result is received (if PCR testing is not available, rapid testing will be used) Do enhanced screening on admission and twice daily for 10 days following readmissions/admissions/transfer
For all other readmissions/ admissions/transfers to the home	Examples: return from emergency department, admissions from the community, essential absence, medical absence, compassionate/palliative absence or community overnight absences A PCR test is required prior to admission or on day 1 and on day 7 Isolation is required until a negative result is confirmed from day 7 Enhanced screening on admission and twice daily for 10 days following readmissions/admissions/transfer

We understand this is a lot of information very close to the holidays. Please continue to check our website for further updates to our resources.

Thank you for your continued support and commitment to keeping our residents, clients, staff and families safe. Please reach out to the leaders at your programs if you have questions.

Take good care,

Steve Sherrer

CEO

December 10th, 2021

Hello everyone,

The holiday season is here, as is the growing concern over a new COVID-19 variant called Omicron. Omicron is considered to be much more transmissible than previous variants of COVID-19. In response to the developing situation related to the new variant, guidelines from our local public health units and provincial experts are beginning to change with more changes anticipated.

Throughout the pandemic Thrive Group has diligently implemented all directives and guidelines and has elevated precautions at times out of an abundance of caution for the health, safety and wellbeing of our residents, clients and staff. This communication will outline the changes that have taken place already and highlight some of the areas we anticipate changes to come in the coming days. As always, we will continue to keep you informed of the changing precautions.

Travel related screening and testing – Everyone entering any of our Thrive Group sites are required to answer some more detailed questions about travel outside of Canada. Anyone that has travelled to a country on the quarantine list are unable to enter our sites until their full quarantine period and requirements are met.

Rapid antigen testing post travel- Anyone that has traveled outside of Canada (including the US) in the past 14 days is required to have a current negative rapid antigen test prior to entering any of our sites or offices. A rapid test is considered current if it was completed with the previous 48 hours.

Case and Contact Management - changes have been introduced to reduce transmission of Omicron. COVID-19 cases linked to travel or exposure to indivuals that have travelled are consider “suspected Omicron” cases until they are confirmed or ruled out. Any close contacts of a confirmed or suspected Omicron case will be required to isolate for 10 days- regardless of vaccination status, until Omicron is ruled out. Public Health will provide guidance and directions should you be identified as a contact.

This is extremely important to consider when gathering in large groups. There is a much larger risk of being in contact with a COVID case and needing to isolate. We strongly encourage that our staff do not gather in groups over the holidays to limit high-risk exposures and potential isolation requirements.

Surveillance Rapid Antigen testing was recently increased at our sites. We anticipate making some further adjustments to the frequency and processes to complete rapid testing for staff and visitors.

Visiting is likely an area that we may see some adjustments to guidelines. We know that the holidays are a time to gather with family and loved ones. As soon as we know what these directives are, we will communicate this so that you can make plans that will keep everyone safe at Christmas.

COVID-19 vaccines continue to protect people from COVID-19, especially booster doses for those eligible. We strongly encourage all visitors to our sites to support resident/client safety by getting vaccinated. We also encourage all staff and visitors to obtain their booster dose when eligible.

As always, we are keeping our website current with all updated information so please be sure to check the website frequently as additional modifications and updates.

Take good care,

Steve Sherrer

CEO

October 7th, 2021

Hello everyone,

The heat of the summer has lifted, a chill has settled in the air, and it is, once again, the time of year when we reflect on everything in our lives that we are thankful for.

As we come to the end of the second year of the pandemic, I am thankful that we have unimpeded access to a vaccine that has helped keep the number of COVID-19 infections to a minimum. We have been able to get out of our houses and back into stores and restaurants after what has felt like much longer than eighteen months of lockdowns and isolation. Most importantly, we have been able to reconnect with our neighbourhoods and the wonderful people in them. Thrive Group would not be where we are today without the unwavering support of our families, caregivers and community members. We may not be back to normal just yet, but we are well along the road to recovering.

I am also thankful for our staff here at Thrive Group. We have placed on the list of Best Workplaces in Ontario and the list of Best Workplaces in Healthcare across Canada. We earned the honor of these awards because of our incredible employees, people who work hard day and night to offer support and companionship to those who need it most. In times as trying as these, the simplest acts of kindness make all the difference, and it is this kindness that I see in our teams every day.

Finally, I am thankful for the opportunities that lie ahead. This has been a difficult time for all of us, but it has also invited us to learn and grow in ways that would have been unimaginable before. For all the sacrifices we have made and the losses we have endured, I truly believe we can rise from this stronger than ever.

Thank you for another amazing year. I wish you and yours a safe and happy Thanksgiving.

Steve Sherrer

CEO

September 30th, 2021

National Day of Truth and Reconciliation.

The day has been created to give everyone an opportunity to recognize and commemorate the legacy of residential schools, which more than 150,000 First Nations, Metis and Inuit children were forced to attend between the 1870’s to 1997.

Thrive Group echoes the Canadian Government's sentiments that we all need to do our part in ensuring that the tragic history and ongoing legacy of residential schools is never forgotten. We encourage all Thrive Staff to wear orange today to show their support.

The Thrive Group Leadership Team

September 14th, 2021

We are so very proud to announce that Thrive Group organizations have been named on the 2021 list of Best Workplaces in Healthcare! This list includes healthcare organizations from all across Canada!

Thrive Group received this honour after a thorough and independent analysis conducted by Great Place to Work®. This certification is based on direct feedback from employees of the hundreds of organizations that were surveyed by Great Place to Work® in October of 2020. We were also recently recognized as one of the Best Workplaces in Ontario in 2021!

For all Thrive Group organizations to receive this honour is truly remarkable as we continue to navigate through a global pandemic where healthcare has experienced unprecedented challenges. We have been honoured with this recognition because of our amazing employees and their commitment to our clients and residents as well as to their teams, and the dedication and perseverance they bring to work everyday to help those who need it most. We are recognized as a Great Place to Work because we live our Thrive values and show passion for our work. We are so fortunate and proud to work with such an amazing team of people.

We would like to congratulate our Thrive Group employees and extend our genuine appreciation to them all, because it is our employees that make Thrive Group organizations such Great Places to Work!

Sincerely,

The Thrive Group Leadership Team

September 1st, 2021

Hello everyone,

This upcoming long weekend marks the transition from the heat of summer to the cooler months, and ushers in another season of holidays and family gatherings. As I sit to reflect on each milestone throughout the year, I am reminded of the monumental challenges our community has faced recently, and the continued uncertainty ahead. Know that your patience and the sacrifices you have made in taking great care to keep your family, friends, and neighbours safe has not gone unnoticed or unappreciated.

I would like to recognize all of you who are parents of children who will be returning to school. This has been an especially difficult time for the younger generations who have missed out on so many experiences and opportunities due to pandemic lockdowns. What you have done to keep your kids educated and entertained, while also doing your best to adapt to the new normal, has been nothing short of heroic. Hopefully, this year will look a bit brighter than the last and allow our children to see the school year through uninterrupted.

Although we don’t quite know what these final few months of 2021 will look like, I hope you are able to find some time to spend with those closest to you. Whether you choose to stay at home, or you venture out to enjoy the last of this beautiful summer weather, remember that the virus is still with us. Stay attentive to all COVID-19 protocols, keep your groups small, wash your hands frequently and get your vaccinations. This is how we can do our part to continue to keep people safe.

Stay safe and have a very happy long weekend,

Steve Sherrer

CEO

August 24th, 2021

Hello,

As August is quickly coming to an end, I hope that everyone has had a chance to enjoy some time during these warm summer months. At our Thrive Group organizations we have continued to remain diligent through the summer as we watched low case numbers slowly creeping back up. As always, we have continued to review and implement the changing directives and precautions related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Currently, the province continues to be in a “recovery stage” of the pandemic, yet concern is growing about a fourth wave of COVID-19. Our teams are preparing for a potential fourth wave, yet we are remaining optimistic that vaccine rates will continue to increase in the province preventing further illness and strain on the health care system.

The incredible scientific successes with COVID-19 vaccines have provided us with the ability to protect ourselves, our loved ones, and those most vulnerable in our community. A successful vaccine campaign has been a game-changer for the long-term care and congregate care populations. Thrive Group continues to promote the vaccine with all residents, clients, staff, caregivers, students and volunteers.

Thrive Group implemented a vaccine policy (available on our website) earlier this summer. We continue to evaluate our policy as new information becomes available from the Ministry and our other partners in health care. At Thrive Group we have made COVID-19 immunization a condition of employment for all new staff, contractors and students. We closely monitor our vaccine rates and are so thankful so many of our staff, residents and clients have chosen to be vaccinated. Currently between 87% and 93% of the staff working in our assisted living, supportive housing and long-term care sites are immunized. This is something to celebrate! However, we do continue to strive for higher rates.

With the recent news regarding third doses of vaccines for high-risk individuals, we are already working on plans for our long-term care residents. More information will be coming directly from the homes regarding this as additional information becomes available. Thrive Group continues to advocate for all of our high risk clients living in other congregate settings aside from long-term care to have access to a third or “booster” dose when possible.

As always, we are keeping our website current with all updated information so please be sure to check the website frequently as additional modifications are expected as we progress through re-opening the province.

Take good care, be safe and enjoy the rest of the summer,

Steve Sherrer

CEO

July 15th, 2021

Hello Everyone,

Tomorrow the Province enters Step Three of the Roadmap to Reopen. In addition to these provincial changes, there are a number of changes that are being made to the precautions currently in place in our LTC and community congregate sites.

Surveillance (Rapid) Testing

• Thrive Group has taken a cautious approach to all modifications to COVID-19 precautions. As always, the safety of our residents, clients, staff and visitors is our top priority. We continue to work with the Ministry directives as they evolve. At this time, out of an abundance of caution, we have decided to continue with surveillance testing for everyone entering our homes every-other-day (up to 3 times weekly). In the coming weeks we will re-evaluate this measure and make changes based on what is happening locally in our communities.

Visitor Limits

• The ministry of health has eliminated their specified numbers of visitors allowed to visit. Each site has developed its own plans based on physical space and operational feasibility to expand for groups of visitors, as they are able. General visits still need to be booked in advance. Essential caregiver visits do not need to be booked. Please see the communication from your site/program for these specific details and to plan for visits with your loved ones.

Eye protection

• Universal eye protection for staff is now optional for all fully vaccinated staff, however any staff may still choose to wear eye protection. Staff that are partially or unimmunized will be required to wear eye protection following our COVID-19 Immunization Policy requirements.
• Visitors and essential caregivers are not required to wear eye protection for visits unless visiting a resident in isolation or there is an outbreak at the site.

Resident and Client Absences

• All residents and clients (regardless of immunization status) are now permitted to participate in social outings for the day and/or overnight. Please refer to our absence guidelines on our website for further detail.

Programming and Excursions

• As the province opens up allowing us to participate in more activities, the same is being reflected in our Homes. Loosening of restrictions now exist regarding physical distancing at meals and programs, singing, dancing, buffet/family style meal programs and offsite excursions.

Once again, our teams are busy working on the logistics to implement these changes. If you have any questions about the new precautions, please speak with a member of the leadership team.

As always, we are keeping our website current with all updated information so please be sure to check the website frequently as additional modifications are expected as we progress through re-opening the province.

Take good care,

Steve Sherrer

CEO

July 1st, 2021

Canada day is a day to recognize the birth of the country that we call home. In the history of our nation, there have been moments to celebrate and moments from which we must learn and grow. This year, perhaps more than ever before, we are being asked to demonstrate empathy and humility as a united people and to face some hard truths about Canada’s recent past.

There is a lot to be proud of in being Canadian, but we also have a lot of work to do to create a truly supportive and inclusive place that each and every one of our citizens can call home. However you choose to reflect on what Canada Day means to you this year, please do so safely and respectfully. Our Thrive Group locations will keep our flags lowered to half-mast in memory of the Indigenous children whose remains have been found in the recent weeks. Further Indigenous resources and information can be found here in the Indigenous Hub section.

Take good care,

Steve Sherrer

CEO

June 30th, 2021

Hello everyone,

Today the Province enters Step Two of the Roadmap to Reopen. In addition to these provincial changes, there are a number of changes that are being made to the precautions currently in place in our LTC and community congregate sites.

Thrive Group Vaccine Policy

• Thrive Group has implemented a COVID-19 Immunization Policy as directed by the Ministry of Long-Term Care. Thrive Group is committed to creating and maintaining a healthy and safe work environment for our staff and for the residents/clients we serve, and to reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19 in our workplace by encouraging high rates of vaccination. The policy applies to all staff, contracted staff, students and volunteers and is available for review here.

Essential Caregivers - Changes as of July 7, 2021

• The limit of having only two designated essential caregivers will be removed. The resident/client, or their substitute decision maker, must still designate all essential caregivers and communication with the home must occur to ensure the essential caregiver is identified as an approved caregiver.
• Up to two essential caregivers may visit indoors at a time.

General Visiting - Changes as of July 7, 2021

• General visiting outdoors continues and will be expanding to allow up to 10 visitors (including essential caregivers) to visit at a time. All general visits must be scheduled in advance.
• Indoor general visiting will be permitted for all residents and clients allowing up to two general visitors and up to two essential caregivers to visit together. All general visits must be scheduled in advance.
• Physical distancing requirements continue, but do allow general visitors and residents/clients to have brief hugs at their visits regardless of vaccine status. If residents/clients and general visitors are both FULLY VACCINATED (proof of vaccine will be requested) close contact and hand holding is permitted during general visits.

Cohorting of Residents and Clients - Changes as of July 7, 2021

• For our larger sites that have multiple terraces, home areas or villas, residents and clients have been cohorted within their smaller unit. Cohorting restrictions will be relaxed for outdoor programs allowing a greater opportunity for social engagement and interaction.

Personal Care Services

• Are resuming at our sites that offer these services in accordance with the Reopening Ontario Act.

Our teams are already busy working on the logistics to implement these changes. If you have any questions about the new precautions, please speak with a member of the leadership team.

As always, we are keeping our website current with all updated information so please be sure to check the website frequently as additional modifications are expected as we progress through re-opening the province.

Take good care,

Steve Sherrer

CEO

June 22nd, 2021

We are so very proud to announce that Thrive Group organizations have been named on the 2021 list of Best Workplaces in Ontario!

Thrive Group received this honour after a thorough and independent analysis conducted by Great Place to Work®. You may recall completing the Great Place to Work employee survey in October 2020. We received certification as a Great Place to Work from your feedback in the survey. This list is based on direct feedback from employees of the hundreds of organizations that were surveyed by Great Place to Work®.

To be eligible for this list, organizations must be Great Place to Work Certified™ in the past year and be headquartered in Ontario. From the survey you completed last year, Great Place to Work has determined that Thrive Group organizations are among the Best Workplaces in Ontario.

This past year has challenged us all both personally and professionally. Yet, in true Thrive style you have put our clients and residents ahead of you own needs, you have worked long hours and sacrificed so much for the good of others. Being recognized as a Best Workplace in Ontario is a testament to your commitment to each other, our residents and clients, and the passion and dedication you bring to your work every day. You represent the best of our Values and strive to always maintain a strong and healthy workplace culture. We are humbled by your feedback and proud to work with each and every one of you.

Congratulations on receiving this honour. We want to express our heartfelt appreciation to all of you, because it is each and every one of you who makes all our Thrive Group organizations such Great Places to Work!

Sincerely,

Steve Sherrer

CEO

June 18th, 2021

As Father’s Day approaches this weekend, we are seeing the start of summer, the result of some great successes with the provincial vaccine program and very welcomed talk about the response and recovery of the health care system.

The pandemic has kept loved ones apart for far too long. We are so happy that at this point we can celebrate Father’s Day and our families in a more normalized manner than last year. Outdoor visits can include up to two general visitors and up to two essential family caregivers together. Brief hugs are permitted between long-term care residents or congregate care clients and their visitors. Also, fully vaccinated visitors are permitted to have close contact during their visits such as hand holding. Although not the ideal way to spend a celebratory weekend, we can see progress with the fight against COVID-19. Please be sure to check out our visiting guidelines on our website for detailed information about visiting.

There is still worry about the affects that the Delta variant of concern may still play in this pandemic. We do not want to see a fourth wave. Thrive Group continues to encourage everyone to receive their COVID-19 vaccines. The scheduling has accelerated the second doses of the vaccine so that everyone can soon be fully vaccinated. If you are looking for information on how to book a vaccine appointment, please click here.

So this weekend, celebrate those special people in your lives that have raised, mentored and supported us on our journeys.

Take good care,

Steve Sherrer

CEO

June 8th, 2021

Hello Everyone,

The announcement yesterday that the province is moving into Step 1 of the Roadmap to Reopen as of Friday June 11th is a welcome one, as we all look forward to enjoying our summer months. In addition to these provincial changes, there are a number of changes that are being made to the precautions currently in place in our LTC and community congregate sites related to visiting, absences and eye protection.

We are now seeing some evolving precautions for residents/clients and visitors based on being FULLY VACCINATED. (Fully vaccinated means you are 14 days post your second/final vaccine of the vaccine series.) Screening tables at our sites may be asking to see your COVID-19 vaccine documents as we work to implement these new Ministry directives. As always, we are keeping our website current with all updated information so please be sure to check the website frequently as additional modifications are expected as we progress through re-opening the province.

Eye Protection

• As of June 9th, FULLY VACCINATED essential caregivers will no longer be required to wear eye protection during their visits. Eye protection is still a requirement for unvaccinated and partially vaccinated essential caregivers and all staff, students, volunteers and contracted workers.

General Visiting

• General visiting continues to be in place for outdoor visits. Please review the guidelines for general visiting here.
• Starting June 9th, physical distancing requirements will be adapted to allow general visitors and residents/clients to have brief hugs at their visits - regardless of vaccine status!
• If residents/clients and general visitors are both FULLY VACCINATED, close contact and hand holding is permitted during general visits.
• Residents and clients that cannot visit outdoors related to mobility or health status, will be permitted to have one general visitor indoors. That visitor will be required to complete rapid testing prior to the visit. These accommodations will be limited to individuals that meet this criterion and will be planned in collaboration with the care team at the site.

Resident and Client Absences

• Medical, palliative/compassionate and essential absences all continue to be permitted.
• Starting June 9th, FULLY VACCINATED residents/clients can now go on social and temporary (overnight) absences. For more information on the types of absences and criteria for planning an absence, please review the guideline document here.

Surveillance Testing (Rapid Testing)

• Starting June 9th, any staff, visitor, caregiver, student or volunteer that has previously been infected with COVID 19 will now be required to participate in rapid testing starting 90 days after their positive test result.

If you have any questions about the new precautions, please speak with one of the leaders from your site. We anticipate more changes in the days and weeks ahead as the province continues with reopening.

Take good care,

Steve Sherrer

CEO

June 1st, 2021

Hello everyone,

Today is the end of the provincial “stay-at-home” order. Although this is welcomed news, there is not very much that will be changing with precautions until we enter the next step of the provincial reopening plan, anticipated to be June 14th, 2021.

We have been promised further direction from the Ministry of Health regarding visiting and absences. At this time, outdoor visits are going well. It is wonderful to see our residents and clients reconnecting with family, friends and essential caregivers! Please see our website for instructions for booking outdoor visits and for the guidelines for outdoor visitors.

Medical, compassionate and essential absences continue to be permitted for long-term care residents and clients living in our congregate sites. While social outings were not permitted under the province-wide stay-at-home order, the Ministry will provide further direction allowances for fully immunized individuals to participate in such outings now that the stay-at-home order is lifted. We will provide you with current information as we receive it.

Thank you for your ongoing support and take good care,

Steve Sherrer

CEO

May 29, 2021

Hello everyone,

I hope that you are all doing well and that you are making the most of the weekend.

As you likely know, today marks the 8th annual Moving to Make It Happen event. This year, similar to last year, the awareness and fundraising event was held virtually so that we could adhere to all COVID-19 pandemic precautions. I am pleased to report that once again, a pandemic, could not stop us from not only reaching our goal of $50,000 but significantly surpassing the goal and inching towards $75,000. This year, our giving is wide spread! This is such an incredible achievement and could not have occurred without the strong support of all of our stakeholders.

From our clients, residents and family members to our staff, volunteers, friends of Thrive and sponsors, this accomplishment is a testament to your commitment to supporting our organizations. Thank you so much for being true ambassadors of our mission.

I would like to thank the Moving to Make It Happen Planning Committee for all of their work behind the scenes and for inspiring others to join the event. I would also like to take this opportunity to extend a very special thanks and congratulations to Shari-Lee Srigley, Director of Development for championing this event and leading the charge. She has motivated all of us to strive for excellence, create teams and healthy competition across our sites and has done a great job in not only raising funds for much needed resources but also raised awareness of our organizations and those who we are privileged to serve.

Please join me in congratulating everyone on this achievement. Thank you for sending in your photos and videos on how you “moved to make it happen” so that we can share these on our social media platforms. I am honoured to serve with you and proud to be part of such an esteemed and engaged group of individuals.

Stay safe, we are rounding the corner - I wish you all the best.

Steve Sherrer

CEO

May 21, 2021

Hello everyone

We are so pleased that the province is seeing the progress being made in the fight against COVID-19. Yesterday government released its Roadmap to Reopen, a three-step plan to safely and cautiously reopen the province and gradually lift public health measures. It has become very evident that vaccines are supporting this success and that the steps of re-opening are reliant on the vaccine rates of the adults in our province.

To align with this roadmap, we are permitted to reopen outdoor visits for general visitors to our long- term care and congregate community programs.

As with our consistent approaches to the management of the pandemic, we have taken care and caution to ensure that all changes to precautions are made carefully to ensure they are safe and successful.

Our teams are so excited to be working on plans to reconnect our residents and clients with loved ones for outdoor visits. With this news being shared with us today, our teams are already hard at work preparing the visiting spaces, scheduling staff and developing the processes needed to safely start outdoor general visits early next week!

In the coming days, we will be updating and sharing our updated visiting policies and resource materials which will also be posted on our website here

At this time, the following has been communicated as guidelines for outdoor general visits:

• Maximum of two general visitors at a time per resident in addition to essential caregiver(s).
• General visitors need to be actively screened upon arrival and should not proceed beyond entry points / areas in homes.
• General visitors do not need to undergo a rapid antigen test as their visit will be outdoors.
• General visitors need to maintain physical distancing and wear masks.
• Residents and clients should wear masks as tolerated.

Thank you for your support and patience as we prepare to relaunch outdoor visits connecting our clients/residents and their loved ones. You will be getting further details from your home, site or program shortly.

If you have received your vaccine already…THANK YOU!! If you are eligible for a vaccine have not yet booked an appointment, we do urge you to book so that we can continue to progress to reopening Ontario as safely as possible!

Thank you,

Steve Sherrer

CEO

May 7, 2021

Hello everyone

Early this week we received updated directives and guidelines outlining changes to some of some of our COVID-19 precautions. The Ministry of Health is working to ensure that all congregate settings and long-term care homes are operating safely while providing the greatest possible opportunities for maximizing resident and client quality of life.

The Ministry of LTC has provided us with foundational guidance and information to help interpret requirements set out by the government with respect to the pandemic. This guidance document sets out how our LTCHs and congregate sites can safely resume certain activities with precautions that are based on their overall immunization coverage rates at the site.

A summary of these changes include:

Active Screening for Visitors and Staff – Screening will only happen on entry to the site (no longer on exit). Temperatures are no longer required to be monitored for visitor and staff screening. Everyone is still expected to continually self-monitor for symptoms of COVID-19.

Increasing Universal Masking for Residents and Clients – Residents and clients that can tolerate wearing a mask are encouraged to wear a mask (medical or non-medical) when at meals (and not eating), during personal care and while in common areas in the site. Staff should assist with mask application and removal when needed.

Promotion of the Vaccination Program – The provincial vaccination program has prioritized our residents, clients, staff and essential caregivers. We continue to support all residents, clients, staff and essential caregivers to receive their vaccine. We are starting to see changing precautions for individuals that are fully vaccinated* and sites that have reached certain rates of fully vaccinated residents, clients and staff. If you are not vaccinated, please ask questions about the vaccines and ask for support getting registered for a vaccine appointment. Also, please keep the home/site up-to-date with your own vaccine status. We are lobbying that staff and essential caregivers be prioritized for a shorter waiting period between first and second doses. #ThriveCrushingCOVID

*Please note that fully vaccinated means 14 days post vaccine series (second dose).

Physical Distancing and Physical Contact – Fully vaccinated essential care givers may have physical contact (hugging/hand holding) with fully vaccinated residents and clients provided appropriate IPAC control measures, like masking, eye protection, and hand hygiene are in place.

Vaccine Rate Dependent Restriction Removal – for sites that have fully vaccinated residents/client rates of 85% or higher AND a fully vaccinated staff rate of 70% or higher, some precautions can be alleviated. Again, fully vaccinated status is considered 14 days after receiving the second dose of vaccine.

Vaccine rates for the different sites will be communicated through the sites normal communication processes.

Essential Absences – Social absences are still not permitted under the province-wide-stay-at-home order. Residents and clients are able to resume essential absences. Essential absences are defined as going to the grocery store or pharmacy where another option is unavailable, or for outdoor exercise both on or off the immediate property of the site. Residents/clients going on absences must be provided with a mask, practice public health measures (physical distancing and hand hygiene) when outside of the home and be screened upon their return to the home.

We anticipate further updates to the visiting policy and other precaution changes when the province-wide-stay-at-home order is lifted. We will provide further updates at that time.

Thank you for your ongoing support and commitment to the safety,

Take good care,

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April 16, 2021

I hope that this update finds everyone doing well.

I wanted to share some exciting news with respect to St. Peter’s Residence at Chedoke and Idlewyld Manor. Several months ago, we applied for funding through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program to upgrade our Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems at our two long-term care homes. This funding is a cost sharing initiative between the federal and provincial governments. We received news today that our application was endorsed and we will be receiving up to $2.585M for St. Peter’s upgrades and up to $2.767M for Idlewyld’s upgrades. These projects will involve the installation of new HVAC systems to improve air quality and improve heating and cooling and will help maximize infection prevention and control throughout all area of the homes. We are so grateful to the federal and provincial governments for this much needed support.

“I am thrilled that the federal government was able to provide over $2 M to St. Peter’s Residence at Chedoke and over $2 M to Idlewyld Manor, both a part of Thrive Group for a project that will install a new HVAC system to improve air quality and improve heating and cooling, and to help maximize infection prevention and control throughout all areas of the long-term care home. St. Peter’s and Idlewyld are crucial Hamilton institutions providing care and support to Hamiltonians when we are at our most vulnerable." Honourable Filomena Tassi, Min of Labour, MP for Hamilton-West Ancaster Dundas

“This investment will benefit many of the most vulnerable people in our community, providing them with the comfortable and safe living spaces they deserve,” said Donna Skelly, MPP for Flamborough-Glanbrook “Our government puts the safety and well-being of long-term care residents at the heart of everything we do.”

We will continue to provide you with additional information as we proceed with these projects. In the meantime, if you have any questions, please feel free to connect with Jennifer Banks at St. Peter’s Residence at Chedoke or Bahar Karimi at Idlewyld Manor.

Please stay safe and have a good weekend.

Steve Sherrer

CEO

April 13, 2021

I hope that everyone is adjusting to this next round of “shut down” and that you have been enjoying some of the warm weather over the past couple of weeks. I wanted to let everyone know that the Pandemic Committee continues to connect to receive up to date information from each of our 18 sites and to develop or refine plans to address any challenges.

I want to reassure you that we are continuing to assess the potential risk of every situation that presents itself and that we continue to be steadfast in our commitment to our clients, residents and staff. Our 3,000 clients and residents and our 1,350 staff deserve the best and this remains our number one priority.

As you know, we continue to conduct rapid testing on our staff and essential family caregivers at our long-term care home sites. This screening is a proactive strategy to identify people who might be contagious with COVID-19 but go unrecognized.

I also wanted to let you know that we are excited to inform you that most of our congregate, supportive housing and assisted living clients have now had an opportunity to be vaccinated. This marks another great milestone in our efforts to mitigate the risk of COVID-19 spreading at our sites.

I encourage everyone to sign up for a vaccination as the eligibility criteria allows. We are seeing more light at the end of this long tunnel and we truly appreciate all the support and understanding as we continue to commit to the health and well being of our residents, clients, staff and family members.

I want to reassure you that we have no further confirmed cases of COVID-19 across any of our 18 sites. We will continue to keep you informed of any new information as it becomes available.

Please continue to look after yourselves and stay well!

Steve Sherrer

CEO

March 31st, 2021

Hello everyone,

Last year, we went into this long weekend with a sense of trepidation, not sure what to expect, or what our holidays were going to look like. Now, as we face the second Easter in this pandemic, it does not seem any easier knowing that our celebrations must still be limited so that we can keep ourselves and those we love safe and healthy.

Once again, I would like to thank you for all of your endless patience over this past year. As the first glimpses of spring bring some much-needed relief from the now all too familiar feeling of being stuck indoors, we must remain vigilant in our efforts to keep potential exposure as minimal as possible. I know it has not been easy and I understand that many of our staff will spend time working over this long weekend caring for our clients and residents. I also know that as family members, many of you will have different celebrations some virtual over this coming weekend.

As I write to you now, vaccinations are being administered across the country, with the most vulnerable and exposed among us being prioritized. We are in the beginning stages of defeating COVID-19, but we will get there! A few months ago, we started our #thrivecrushingcovid campaign to cheer on those who have been vaccinated and those who are eagerly awaiting their turn. Everyone has done an incredible job championing this campaign. For those of you who have been vaccinated, you are an inspiration to everyone for doing what is right and coming together to help us crush COVID!

Whether you celebrate Easter or simply recognize the coming of the new season, Spring represents a time of growth and rebirth, and never has this felt more true. In the days when this pandemic is nothing more than a memory, we will be able to share stories of this often difficult, sometimes inspiring and always incredible journey that we have taken together.

My hope for you over this long weekend is that you are able to find time to spend with your loved ones in whatever way you can. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart. Look after yourselves, look after your loved ones and look after each other.

Steve Sherrer

CEO

March 18th, 2021

Hello everyone,

Today I am writing to you with some good news and an exciting update. The outbreak at York was declared over today. We are so proud of the team at York for demonstrating their strengths and commitment to the infection prevention and control practices. This outbreak was limited to a single case without any transmission or spread. As we move into a third wave of the pandemic, we all must continue to keep our diligence to the required precautions at the highest level. There is light at the end of this pandemic, but we are not there yet.

Thinking about the future, we have a big project starting! We are so excited to share that St. Peter’s Residence has been selected to move forward with an expansion to the home. Please read the update about this work here. We will continue to keep you up to date as the planning work begins.

Take good care,

Steve Sherrer

CEO

March 11 2021

Hello everyone,

Today marks one full year since the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a global pandemic. Since that time, this virus has spread throughout Canada and changed how we all live our lives. This has been one of the most difficult challenges we have had to face as a country, a community, and an organization. One of the most surreal outcomes of the pandemic has been watching our clients and residents maintain separation from their loved ones. I cannot express how grateful I am for your understanding, patience, and flexibility during this unprecedented event.

With vaccines now available, residents, clients, health care staff and populations of seniors in our community are eligible to take part in this life and pandemic changing vaccine campaign. Vaccines should be available to everyone in the coming months giving us hope and comfort. We continue to encourage everyone as they are eligible to get their vaccine and join us in our mission of #ThriveCrushingCOVID.

Once again, I would like to thank all of our staff from the bottom of my heart for the unwavering dedication you have shown to our clients, residents, and their families during this incredibly trying time. Adversity does indeed make us stronger, and I believe we have all proven that during this past year. As we forge ahead toward brighter days, we will never forget the challenges faced and lessons learned along the way. Words fail to express the pride I feel in knowing that our teams were not only able to stand up to this pandemic, but were willing to go above and beyond to uphold Thrive Group’s goals and values while doing so.

I wish you all a happy and healthy way forward,

Steve Sherrer

CEO

March 5, 2021

I am happy to continue to provide you with updates related to the Thrive Group organizations’ response to the COVID-19 pandemic. We continue to monitor the status of COVID-19 cases and the variants of the virus that are causing some concern to the public health experts. Our precautions and plans continue to adapt to ensure that we have all measures in place as we continue to be focused on the well-being, health and safety of our clients, residents, staff and loved ones.

As of today, rapid antigen testing is happening in both of our long-term care homes ahead of the mandated timeline. Rapid testing is done multiple times each week for those entering the home with results available within 15 minutes. This is a huge step forward in the prevention of transmission and outbreaks.

Our community programs are also conducting proactive surveillance testing of staff as an additional precaution to protect our clients, staff and the community. This is another example of Thrive Group organizations taking measures and precautions above and beyond the guidelines in place.

As a result of the surveillance testing, we were able to identify a positive staff case at our York site in advance of any identified symptomatic contacts. In consultation with Hamilton Public Health, we have declared an outbreak at that site. Clients living at that site are self-isolating and being monitored closely for the development of any symptoms. Staff continue to wear all necessary personal protective equipment and are taking all precautionary measures. We want to reassure you that we are handling this outbreak with the outmost caution and continue to implement all of the directives provided by the Ministry of Health and Public Health. We will advise you of any updates as they become available.

I am pleased to report that we remain COVID-19 free at 17 out of 18 of our sites. Please continue to take care, stay healthy and make the best of this upcoming weekend.

Steve Sherrer

CEO

23rd February, 2021

Hello everyone,

I hope that you are doing well.

I am pleased to inform you that we have no outbreaks at any of our 17 sites. I want to thank the staff and essential caregivers for all the work that they have done over the past several months by working in collaboration and minimizing the risk of outbreaks. This continues to be a challenging time and we ask that you continue to abide by all the precautionary measures so that we can remain COVID-19 free at our sites.

Yesterday was an exciting day at our AbleLiving Services Binbrook site as many of our clients were able to receive their first vaccine dose. We look forward to the coming months when our remaining clients and staff receive their vaccines. In the meantime, please stay safe and we will, as always, keep you up to date through this platform.

Take care

Steve Sherrer

CEO

18th February, 2021

Hello everyone,

I hope that this email finds you well and you are surviving this last bit of wintery weather.

It is hard to believe that we have been on this journey for almost a full year.

For a COVID-19 update for you today, I am pleased to inform you that our outbreaks at Aghabi and St. Peter’s have been declared over. We have one small outbreak at our Lakeside site and we are anticipating that this will be declared over in the next day or two. We have no outbreaks at any of our other 16 sites. This is a testament to the outbreak management and precautionary measures we have in place and to the dedicated group of staff and essential caregivers at our sites. Congratulations on a job well done!

As you are likely aware, vaccine availability will be increasing over the course of the next several weeks. This is incredibly exciting as it is a key way to protect one another and minimize the spread of the virus. I am happy to report that over 97% of our residents at St Peter's Residence at Chedoke and Idlewyld Manor have had their second doses of vaccine. We also know that the next phase will include clients at some of our congregate care settings.

The long-term care homes are continuing their planning and preparations for rapid-testing of staff, support workers and essential caregivers in the coming days and weeks.

Visiting guidelines can be viewed on our website. Please refer to our up to date information.

As always, I wish you all the best through these challenging times. Please stay safe and healthy.

Steve

Steve Sherrer

CEO

5th February, 2021

Hello everyone,

Days are starting to get a bit longer as spring comes closer into sight. Similarly, we are seeing light on the horizon of the pandemic as hope from vaccines grows and access to rapid testing is starting in long-term care homes. New infection rates in the province are slowly decreasing however there is still significant numbers of individuals with COVID-19 in our communities.

As always, the well-being, health and safety of our clients, residents, staff and loved ones continues to remain our top priority at all Thrive Group of organizations. Our programs continue to work closely to follow all the directives and implement the precautions required to keep our residents, clients and staff healthy.

The outbreak at St. Peter’s Residence continues and involves one single resident case and one staff case at this time. The home continues to keep residents, staff and families up to date regularly and continues to closely monitor all residents and staff for signs of infection.

Lakeside Court in Mississauga has declared an outbreak involving one staff member. The outbreak status of our Mississauga, Aghabi Transitional site continues. Public health has supported testing for all staff and clients at those locations. The team is ensuring communication is maintained with all of the individuals impacted at those sites.

We reassure you that all our staff is extremely experienced in managing respiratory illnesses and that we are following all directions from the Ministry of Health and our local Public Health unit. We have rigorous infection management practices and processes in place throughout all our locations.

At this time, we want to acknowledge the unwavering courage and devotion of our staff in the provision of quality care to our clients and residents. Thank you for your on-going understanding and support during this difficult time. Please be assured that we are continuing to make decisions in the best interests of our clients, residents and staff to make sure that their health and safety remain our highest priority.

Stay healthy and safe.

Steve Sherrer

CEO

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