RHRA Update E-Newsletter
RHRA Update
RHRA Update is a weekly publication for retirement home operators and licensees. This e-newsletter is also available in French here.
To stay informed about news and important notices, please add admin@rhra.i-sight.com to your email safe-sender list. If at any time there is a change, please fill out the Notice of Change form and send it to licensing@rhra.ca.
Recent Issues
March 16, 2023 – Complaints CAM, Elder Abuse Prevention Ontario: Initiatives And Resources
March 9, 2023 – RHRA Update: Strategic Planning Survey Reminder, Fraud Prevention Month
March 2, 2023 – RHRA Update: Strategic Planning Survey, Fraud Prevention Month
Previous Issues
February 23, 2023 – RHRA Update: RHRA IPAC Resources, Resident Opportunity with RHRA
January 20, 2023 – Special Advisory: Ministry of Health COVID-19 Guidance Update
January 19, 2023 – RHRA Update: COVID-19 Checks For Residents, IPAC Hubs, Fee Reduction Program
January 5, 2023 – RHRA Update: Notice of Change Form and Fee Reduction Deadline reminder
December 15, 2022 – RHRA Update: Reminder: Fee Reduction Program
December 7, 2022 – Special Advisory: RHRA’s Fee Reduction Program is Live
December 1, 2022 – Special Advisory: Fee Reduction Program Delay
November 24, 2022 – RHRA Update: Fee Reduction Program, Compliance Assistance Modules
November 15, 2022 – Special Advisory: RHRA Reduces Burden of Outbreak Reporting
November 10, 2022 – RHRA Update: Fee Rebate Application Form Available December 1st
November 3, 2022 – RHRA Update: Fee Rebate Details Coming in December
October 27, 2022 – RHRA Update: Fall Preparedness, PSP, RHRA Invoices Reminders, Emergency Scams
October 6, 2022 – Special Advisory: COVID-19 Guidance Updates for the Retirement Home Sector
October 3, 2022 – Notification of New 2023 Fee Schedule
September 22, 2022 – RHRA Update: Bivalent COVID-19 Booster Dose, 2023 Fees Public Consultation, SAC
September 20, 2022 – REMINDER: Wednesday Sept. 21 – Last Day to Comment on RHRA’s 2023 Fee Proposals
September 19, 2022 – REMINDER: RHRA’s Virtual AGM & Recognition Event on September 21
September 15, 2022 – RHRA Update: Fall Preparedness, RHRA Fees Consultation, Bivalent Booster Dose
August 24, 2022 – REMINDER: Public Consultation and Webinar on RHRA 2023 Fee Proposals
August 23, 2022 – Special Advisory: Public Consultation and Webinar on RHRA 2023 Fee Proposals
August 18, 2022 – RHRA Update: RHRA Recognition Event and AGM Registration, Resident Network, SAC
August 11, 2022 – RHRA Update: COVID-19 Preparedness Self-Assessment Tool, SAC Opportunities
August 4, 2022 – RHRA Update: Resident Safety During Outings, RHRA Virtual Recognition Event and AGM
July 28, 2022 – RHRA Update: Second COVID-19 Booster Doses, Rapid Antigen Tests, Resident Champion
July 21, 2022 – RHRA Update: Opportunity for Resident Engagement, RHRA CAMs
July 14, 2022 – RHRA Update: SAC, RHRA Recognition Event & AGM, Resident Champion Awards
July 7, 2022 – RHRA Update: Universal Influenza Immunization Program
June 24, 2022 – Special Advisory: MSAA Releases COVID-19 Guidance Document For Retirement Homes
June 23, 2022 – RHRA Update: RHRA’s Complaints CAM, SAC Recruitment, Resident Champion
June 17, 2022 – Special Advisory: Clarification On COVID-19 Guidance To Retirement Homes
June 11, 2022 – Special Advisory: Continued Public Health Measures In Retirement Homes
June 9, 2022 – RHRA Update: COVID-19 Measures, RHRA Inspections, SAC Recruitment
June 2, 2022 – RHRA Update: Outbreak Reporting, SAC, Resident Champion Awards
May 26, 2022 – RHRA Update: IMPORTANT: Masking Requirements In Retirement Homes
May 6, 2022 – Special Advisory: Updated Policy to Implement Directive #3
May 5, 2022 – RHRA Update: Updates to Directive #3
April 28, 2022 – RHRA Update: Maintaining COVID-19 Preventative Measures in Homes
April 22, 2022 – Special Advisory: CMOH Memo And Class Order – Masking In Retirement Homes
April 22, 2022 – Special Advisory: Expanding Access To COVID-19 Antivirals
March 31, 2022 – RHRA Update: Wind-Down Of Emergency Orders Under The ROA And EMCPA
March 17, 2022 – RHRA Update: Resident Network, Stakeholder Advisory Council
March 10, 2022 – RHRA Update: N95 Respirators, Revocation Of Directive #6
March 1, 2022 – Special Advisory: Revised Policy to Implement Directive #3
February 17, 2022 – Special Advisory: Revised Policy To Implement Directive #3
January 26, 2022 – Special Advisory: Revised Retirement Homes Policy to Implement Directive #3
January 12, 2022 – Special Advisory: Staffing And COVID-19 Preparedness
January 7, 2022 – Special Advisory: Clarification On Test To Work In Retirement Homes
January 6, 2022 – Special Advisory: MSAA Memo Re Fourth Dose Of MRNA Vaccine For Retirement Homes
January 6, 2022 – RHRA Update: Optimization Of Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs) And CAMs
December 27, 2021: Special Advisory: Update To CMOH Instructions
December 25, 2021: Special Advisory: Update to Directive #3
December 24, 2021: Special Advisory: Access To Rapid Antigen Tests & Supports For Retirement Homes
December 20, 2021: RHRA Special Advisory: Revised Retirement Home Policy To Implement Directive #3
December 18, 2021: RHRA Special Advisory: Changes to Directive #3 and Directive #5
December 17, 2021: RHRA Special Advisory: Omicron Support Survey
December 16, 2021: RHRA Update: PASP Reminder, IPAC, December Statistics Submissions
December 9, 2021: Special Advisory: New Retirement Homes COVID-19 Guidance on Screening
December 2, 2021: RHRA Update: Abuse And Neglect, Resident Newsletter, Flu Vaccines
November 28, 2021: RHRA Special Advisory: IPAC Reminder as Omicron Variant Persists
November 25, 2021: RHRA Update: Emergency Planning and Public Health Unit Advice
November 9, 2021: Special Advisory: RHRA Announces Launch Of Stakeholder Effectiveness Survey
November 5, 2021: Memo: Social Gatherings, Visits And Absences
November 4, 2021: RHRA Update: Booster Shots For Retirement Home Staff And Designated Caregivers
October 28, 2021: Special Advisory: Proposed Amendments To The Retirement Homes Act
October 28, 2021: RHRA Update: IPAC Edition And Fee Clarification
October 26, 2021: Special Advisory: New 2022 Fee Schedule
October 21, 2021: RHRA Update: Statistical Submissions for October, IPAC Week, and Flu Shots
October 14, 2021: RHRA Update: What to Expect During a Routine Inspection
October 7, 2021: RHRA Update: COVID-19 Resources and Resident Champions
September 30, 2021: RHRA Update: COVID-19 Preparedness Resources, ECPs In Homes And Resident Network
September 3, 2021: RHRA Update: REMINDER: Deadline To Establish COVID-19 Vaccination Policy
August 31, 2021: RHRA Special Advisory: RHRA launches 2022 Fee Consultation
August 26, 2021: RHRA Update: RSVP for our Recognition Event and CAMs reminder
August 23, 2021: Special Advisory: Administration Of Third Doses In High-Risk Retirement Homes
August 19, 2021: RHRA Update: RHRA Recognition Event Registration And SAC Recruitment
August 6, 2021: RHRA Update: Election of New RHRA Board Directors
July 29, 2021: RHRA Update: Resident Champion, SAC Recruitment, and Scenario Matrix Reminder
July 22, 2021: RHRA Update: Updated Scenario Matrix, Zero Outbreaks in Retirement Homes, and SAC
July 16, 2021: RHRA Update: CLARIFICATION: Eye Protection Requirement for Staff for Communal Dining
July 15, 2021: RHRA Update: Correction to Absence Requirements, New Resources, and Save the Date!
July 8, 2021: RHRA Update: Keeping Both Residents and Staff Safe and Protected as Ontario Re-opens
June 30, 2021: RHRA Special Advisory: Update To The Retirement Home Policy To Implement Directive #3
June 24, 2021: RHRA Update: Provincial Elections, Step Two of the Roadmap to Reopen
June 17, 2021: RHRA Update Vaccine Strategy, Routine Inspections, CAMs And Resident Champion Award
June 7, 2021: RHRA Special Advisory: Updated Retirement Home Policy To Implement Directive #3
June 4, 2021: RHRA Special Advisory: Revised Directive #3 – Effective Wednesday June 9, 2021
June 3, 2021: RHRA Revocation of Emergency Order Provisions, Resident Champions, Resident Network
May 22, 2021: Special Advisory: Revised Directive #3 And Policy To Implement Directive #3
May 21, 2021: RHRA Update: Allowing ECPs In Homes And The RH Support Program
May 20, 2021: RHRA Special Advisory: Allowing Social Outings/Outdoor Gatherings For Residents
May 14, 2021: Special Advisory: Updated Scenario Matrix Now Available
May 13, 2021: RHRA Update: Stay-At-Home Order, CAMs, And Resident Champion Nominations
May 11, 2021: RHRA Special Advisory: IMPORTANT Crisis Support Fund Program For Retirement Homes
May 10, 2021: RHRA Special Advisory: Retirement Home Staff Eligibility For Second COVID-19 Vaccine
May 4, 2021: RHRA Update: Changes To Directive #3 And The Retirement Homes Visiting Policy
April 24, 2021: Special Advisory: Amendments To Emergency Orders
April 23, 2021: Special Advisory: Changes To Admissions And Transfers Under Directive #3
April 22, 2021: RHRA Update: Use Of Naloxone, RHRA CAMs, Elevator Safety And Vaccine Facts
April 7: Special Advisory: Ontario Enacts Provincial Emergency and Stay-at-Home Order
April 1: Special Advisory: Upcoming Change To Directive #3
April 1: Special Advisory: All Public Health Units Move Into Shutdown
April 1: RHRA Update: IPAC Compliance Assistance Module And SAC Recruitment
March 25, 2021 RHRA Update: Revised RHRA Scenario Matrix
March 12, 2021 RHRA Special Advisory: Changes To COVID-19 Zones
February 26, 2021 RHRA Special Advisory: Potential Counterfeit N95 Masks
February 22, 2021 RHRA Update: Access To Personal Protective Equipment
February 11, 2021 RHRA Special Advisory: Vaccination Queue-Jumping In Retirement Homes
February 1, 2021 RHRA Special Advisory Revision to Provincial Emergency
January 20, 2021 RHRA Update: Important Information and Resources for Homes
January 14, 2021 RHRA SPECIAL ADVISORY: Additional Vaccine Information For Retirement Homes
January 8, 2021 RHRA SPECIAL ADVISORY: Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine Administration In Retirement Homes
December 23, 2020 RHRA Update: Reminder to homes about precautions for province-wide shutdown
December 18, 2020 REMINDER: Check Your Home’s COVID-19 Zone Restrictions
December 12, 2020 RHRA SPECIAL ADVISORY: Ontario’s Vaccine Distribution Implementation Plan
December 11, 2020 RHRA Reminder: Check your home’s COVID-19 zone restrictions
December 9, 2020 Special Advisory: Revised COVID-19 Visiting Policy
December 8, 2020: Revised Directive #3
December 7, 2020: Retirement Home COVID-19 Vaccination Survey
November 19, 2020 RHRA Update: New IPAC hubs and resources, ECP screening and consult line extension
November 11, 2020 IMPORTANT Update: Change in Timing for Alert Status Updates
November 9, 2020 Special Advisory: RHRA Resumes Routine Inspections
October 15, 2020 RHRA Update: Important Information and Reminders for Homes
October 10, 2020 Special Advisory: Revised Directive #5
October 9, 2020 Special Advisory: IMPORTANT: New Alert Status System For Retirement Homes
October 5, 2020 Special Advisory: Retirement Home COVID-19 Visiting Policy
October 1, 2020 RHRA Update: Important Information for Homes
September 23, 2020 RHRA Update: RHRA’s COVID-19 Wave 2 Preparedness Webinar
September 21, 2020 RHRA Update: 2021 Fee Schedule and New Data on COVID-19 Dashboard
September 11, 2020 Special Advisory: IPAC Measures and COVID-19 Wave 2 Webinar
September 8, 2020 Special Advisory: Updates to the Reopening Retirement Homes Guide
September 3, 2020 Special Advisory: Updated Visitor Policy for Co-located Homes
August 31, 2020 Special Advisory: COVID-19 Preparedness for Retirement Homes
August 27, 2020 Special Advisory: Passage of Bill 195 and RHRA Return to Normal Operations
July 28, 2020 Special Advisory: Clarification on COVID-19 Surveillance Testing for Residents
- The RHRA reminds homes that while Ontario Health recommends having a COVID-19 surveillance testing plan in place, surveillance testing is voluntary and is not a directive of the Chief Medical Officer of Health
July 23, 2020 Special Advisory: Revisions to the Reopening Retirement Homes Guide
- The Ministry of Senior’s and Accessibility has released an update to the Reopening Retirement Homes Guide in both English and French
July 22, 2020 Special Advisory: RHRA launches COVID-19 dashboard and Update to Emergency Order
- Today, RHRA shared a new dashboard on our website. This dashboard provides data on active and resolved COVID-19 outbreaks in licensed retirement homes across the province
- The Ministry for Seniors and Accessibility advises that it is proposing that the temporary emergency order O. Reg. 140/20 not be renewed under the Reopening Ontario Act, 2020, if it is passed
- Nominate a retirement home resident for the RHRA’s Frank Kajfes Resident Champion Award
- The Ontario Government has provided a new guide on how to submit for temporary Pandemic Pay, as well as two informational videos
- Retirement homes are reminded of their obligation to establish and implement procedures to respond to extremely hot weather conditions, and to document the temperature control procedures implemented
- A reminder that CAPES still has PPE inventory through the Supply Hub, including surgical masks, gowns, KN95s and hand sanitizer
July 10, 2020 Special Advisory: Updated Guidance on Reopening Retirement Homes
- Updated requirements for visits, short absences and new admissions can be found in the Ministry for Seniors and Accessibility’s revised Reopening Retirement Homes guidance document
June 30, 2020 RHRA Update: New RHRA Chair appointment, ORCA webinars and updated PPE inventory
- The RHRA is pleased to announce the appointment of Peter H. Harris, Q.C., as Chair and Director of the RHRA Board of Directors
- The ORCA COVID webinars will be moved to a bi-weekly schedule for the coming months
- A reminder that CAPES still has PPE inventory through the Supply Hub
June 23, 2020 Special Advisory: Clarification on visits and short absences
- Clarifications provided on both visitors and short-stay absences
- As part of the recent updates, retirement communities must develop a visitor policy; ORCA has provided a sample for operators
- Retirement homes are reminded they are required to report COVID-19 outbreaks to RHRA on the same day as it is reported to public health
June 19, 2020 RHRA Update: Temporary Pandemic Pay Intake Form
- Instructions available on the Temporary Pandemic Pay Intake Form on Transfer Payment Ontario
June 19, 2020 RHRA Update: COVID-19 Pandemic Pay
- Homes will soon receive instructions from the Ministry on how to complete and submit the Pandemic Pay Intake Form to Transfer Payment Ontario, which outlines contractual obligations, reporting requirements, and the payment process
June 15, 2020 RHRA Update: Online Reporting of Outbreaks to RHRA
- Beginning tomorrow, the operations manager of a home in outbreak will receive an email from the RHRA every day they are in outbreak, with a link to an Outbreak Data Form
June 14, 2020 Special Advisory: Preparing for Visitors
- Guidelines and recommendations to help retirement homes prepare to allow visitors beginning June 18, 2020
- On June 11, 2020, the provincial government announced plans to allow visits, short absences and new admissions of residents in retirement homes beginning June 18
June 11, 2020 Special Advisory: COVID-19 Testing for Retirement Homes
- New resources on surveillance testing of staff, how to complete requisition forms and a new testing guidance FAQ
June 11, 2020 Special Advisory: Family visits can resume as of June 18
- Today, the Ontario government announced that family visits for retirement homes can resume as of June 18
June 9, 2020 RHRA Update: Updates On PPE And Outbreak Reporting And Important Reminders
- As of June 9, the Ministry of Health now requires all retirement homes to report twice weekly (Monday and Thursday) on their inventory of critical supplies and equipment in order to inform regional distribution to help meet critical needs
- Retirement homes are reminded that they are now required to report COVID-19 outbreaks to RHRA on the same day as it is reported to public health
- The Registrar of the RHRA can now allocate up to $3,500 (previously $2,000) from the RHRA’s Emergency Fund to retirement home residents in crisis
- There is still PPE inventory on the CAPES PPE Supply Hub and they have lowered prices on certain items, including surgical masks, gowns, KN95s and hand sanitizer
- Obligations for temperature control during hot weather
- To receive Pandemic Pay, you will need to provide your retirement community’s information to be set up for Direct Deposit/Electronic Funds Transfer
- LHIN staff are entitled to enter homes as essential visitors
- New stock is available through the Canadian Alliance to Protect and Equip Seniors Living (CAPES) online PPE supply hub
- On May 29, the Government of Ontario issued an emergency order related to the management of retirement homes experiencing a COVID-19 outbreak, and made changes to the Retirement Homes Act
- The Long-Term Care & Retirement Home Consult Line is available for primary care physicians, nurse practitioners and medical directors, providing 24/7 access to general internal medicine specialists via a telephone consult line
May 26, 2020 RHRA Update: COVID-19 Testing Survey and Pandemic Pay Deadline
- The RHRA would like to thank retirement homes for their valuable input as part of the RHRA’s COVID-19 testing survey
- A reminder to retirement homes that in order for your staff to receive pandemic pay, you must register your retirement home with Transfer Payment Ontario by tomorrow, Wednesday May 27
- The RHRA is extending the deadline to 3 p.m. Monday, May 25.
- The RHRA will be sending out an important survey to collect retirement home information to inform the Ontario government’s COVID-19 testing strategy
- The information you provide will be important to help the province deliver a smooth and efficient process for expanded testing
- Email your questions to COVID19survey@rhra.ca or check the COVID-19 Updates and Resources for Retirement Home Operator page
May 22, 2020 RHRA Update: Important Updates to Directive #3 from the Chief Medical Officer of Health
- Admissions and Re-Admissions
- Limiting Work Locations
- Ensure Retirement Home’s COVID-19 Preparedness
- Ensuring Appropriate PPE
- Testing
May 21, 2020 RHRA Update: Pandemic Premium Pay and PPE Supplier Directory
- In order for your retirement home staff to receive the pandemic pay, you must first register your retirement home with Transfer Payment Ontario by Wednesday May 27, 2020
- The Ontario Government has developed an online workplace PPE supplier directory to assist in the procurement of PPE
- Public Health Ontario has created a new webinar series to help long-term care and retirement homes with infection prevention and control assessments
- Public Health Ontario COVID-19 Webinar: Healthcare worker PPE use and cohorting of residents in long-term care and retirement homes
- Ontario Health: Toolkit for Assessing and Supporting Return to Work for Long-Term Care and Retirement Home Employees
- Reminder: FREE ORCA weekly webinar
May 14, 2020 RHRA Update: Important Updates and Information
- LHIN Services, including shift-based home care delivery in retirement homes, medical supplies and equipment
- Moving residents and their belongings
- ORCA webinars
- RHRA information for residents and their families
- Pandemic pay for frontline and support workers
- Change in the process to request PPE
- New PPE survey portal
- Updated Infection Prevention and Control Checklist from Ontario Public Health
May 3, 2020 Special Advisory: Updated COVID-19 Testing Guidance
- On May 2, the Ministry of Health updated its COVID-19 Provincial Testing Guidance, replacing the previous guidance issued on April 15
- The Ministry of Health has updated its COVID-19 Quick Reference Public Health Guidance on Testing and Clearance, which contains recommendations for health care workers return to work
May 2, 2020 Special Advisory: Public Health Ontario Infection Prevention and Control Checklist
- Public Health Ontario (PHO) has made an Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) Checklist available on their website
- A new PPE survey has been created, using an enhanced submission portal and is re-named “Critical Supplies & Equipment”; the new portal opens May 4
April 30, 2020 Special Advisory: RHRA Update: Important Reminders and Information
- Reminder: Managing Essential Visitors
- Workforce Matching Portal
- Pandemic Pay for Frontline Workers
- ORCA COVID-19 Learning Centre
- Updated Screening Resource Available from Ministry of Health
- All staff and volunteers as defined in the Retirement Homes Act, as well as licensees who work or provide services at a retirement home, are now eligible to access emergency childcare services
- Clarification on Residents Returning from Hospital
- Online Canadian Alliance to Protect and Equip Seniors Living (CAPES) PPE Supply Hub
- Public Health Ontario Webinar on Preparing for and Managing COVID-19 Outbreaks Tuesday, April 28, 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM EDT
April 23, 2020 Special Advisory: COVID-19 Reminders & Information for Homes
- Specimen Collection and Handling
- Summary of Government Support for Retirement Homes
- Retirement Home Outbreak Reporting on RHRA.ca
- Retirement Home Outbreak Survey
- Reminder: One Worker, One Workplace
- Managing Resident Deaths During COVID-19
- Reminder: RHRA Expectations for Advanced Directives
- On April 16, 2020 the Ontario Government passed an emergency order that limits employees of retirement homes to working in a single location
- The order applies to anyone employed by a retirement home licensee who also works in another retirement home or with a health service provider, including employees working in multiple retirement homes operated by the same licensee
- Retirement home operators and licensees are encouraged to review Ontario Health’s FAQs and the COVID-19 Provincial Testing Guidance Update from April 15, 2020
- This helpful infographic provides visual guidance to licensees and operators related to the PPE escalation process, the PPE survey and the use of PPE in retirement homes
- Updated Directives and guidance from the Chief Medical Officer of Health on active screening, admissions and re-admissions, repatriation, essential visitors, positive COVID-19 test results, single staff cases, testing guidance for symptomatic and asymptomatic residents and updated guidance on mask use in retirement homes
- Two new dates have been added to the COVID-19 webinar
- It’s important to complete the Ministry of Health’s PPE survey on a daily basis
- Public Health Ontario is hosting a webinar this week to help retirement homes prepare for and manage COVID-19 outbreaks, specifically focused on infection prevention and control
- All licensed retirement homes, both ORCA and non-ORCA members, can now access their allocation of the emergency funding directly through ORCA
April 13, 2020 Special Advisory: Office of the Chief Coroner’s Guidance on Managing Resident Deaths
- The Office of the Chief Coroner has recently implemented a plan for the Long-Term Care sector on responding to a potential surge in COVID-19 deaths in Ontario
- Compliance with this plan is not mandatory for Retirement Home licensees – even if co-located with a Long-Term Care Home
- The order allows hospitals to enter into contractual arrangements (or leases) with retirement homes to act as patient care centres, enabling the transfer of non-COVID-19 patients such as those designated for Alternate Level of Care (ALC)
- The RHRA has created a guidance document on this emergency order
April 11, 2020 Special Advisory: Ordering PPE for Retirement Homes
- Instructions provided for retirement homes that have identified a supply shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE)
- Homes, health care workers, and other employees must engage in the conservation and stewardship of personal protective equipment (PPE)
- Homes must provide all health care workers and other employees with appropriate training and information on the safe utilization including doffing and donning of all PPE
- Retirement homes must assess the available supply of PPE on an ongoing basis and must explore all available avenues to obtain and maintain sufficient supply of PPE
- Additional measures are listed, all of which are to be implemented immediately
April 9, 2020 Special Advisory: UPDATED Directives from the Chief Medical Officer of Health
- On April 8, Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health released updated directives for Long-Term Care Homes that are to be implemented immediately by all retirement homes in Ontario
- The following topics were added or updated: Active Screening of All Residents, Admissions and Re-admissions, Residents Returning from Hospital, Masking for Staff and Essential Visitors, Triggering an Outbreak Assessment, Assessing and Preparing for an Outbreak, Receiving Negative Test Results, Receiving Positive Test Results and Testing
April 8, 2020 Special Advisory: Licensees must report COVID-19 outbreaks to RHRA
- Retirement homes are now required to report COVID-19 outbreaks to RHRA on the same day as it is reported to public health
- Homes must consider one laboratory confirmed case of COVID-19 as an outbreak (resident or staff)
- Details on reporting are included
April 3, 2020 Special Advisory: Notification on Regulation Change: 118/20
- On April 2, the Ministry for Seniors and Accessibility filed an amendment to the Retirement Homes Act, 2010 regulation
- Homes may take any necessary steps related to staffing and work deployment required to prevent, respond to or alleviate the impact of COVID-19
- Homes are now required to report COVID-19 outbreaks to RHRA on the same day as it is reported to public health
- As well as additional measures on information posting, collective agreements and suspension of other requirements for the duration of the emergency
- The Chief Medical Officer of Health has provided more specific directives for Long-Term Care Homes that are to be implemented immediately by all retirement homes in Ontario
- Health providers and health care entities have been provided with updated directives on the required precautions when caring for patients with suspected or confirmed cases of COVID-19
- Statement and survey regarding PPE
- Government funding for enhanced screening and infection control for retirement homes
March 24, 2020 Special Advisory: COVID-19 Tests for Retirement Home Residents
- Public Health Ontario has confirmed that COVID-19 tests for retirement home residents are to be prioritized by laboratories as is the case for long-term care home residents’ tests
- Residents are no longer permitted to leave the home for short-stay absences to visit family and friends
- Residents may go outside of the home but should remain on the home’s property and maintain a distance of a minimum of two metres from other people at all times
- On March 20, 2020, the province amended the Retirement Homes Act, 2010 to require retirement homes’ infection prevention and control programs to follow the recommendations of the Chief Medical Officer
- Homes must also take all reasonable steps to follow any recommendations by the Chief Medical Officer directed at long-term care homes as they relate to COVID-19
- Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer has released recommendations related to managing health worker illness and return to work which retirement homes will now be required to follow
March 17, 2020 Special Advisory: COVID-19 FAQs Available on RHRA Website
- RHRA now has a COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions web page for Retirement Homes
- ORCA is now making pandemic materials in its Learning Centre available to non-members free of charge, including webinars
March 15, 2020 Special Advisory: Message from RHRA CEO and Registrar regarding COVID-19 Response
- The RHRA will be modifying our inspections process on a temporary basis to limit the need to enter retirement homes during the COVID-19 pandemic
- Important information on compliance during this time
- Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health has recommended that retirement homes and long-term care homes allow only essential visitors
- Essential visitors will be screened upon entry
- Those who fail screening will not be permitted to enter
- Active screening required for staff and visitors
- In addition to active screening, retirement homes should follow the guidance for respiratory outbreak and COVID-19 prevention from the Ministry of Health
- The Ministry of Health is advising all retirement homes to implement active screening protocols for all visitors, resident admissions, re-admissions and returning residents
- Guidance and links to resources are available from the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, the Ontario Retirement Communities Association (ORCA) and Advantage Ontario
March 8, 2020 Special Advisory: COVID-19 (coronavirus) preparedness reminder and resources
- Helpful links and resources for protocols, signage, screening, self-isolation and pandemic resources
January 27, 2020 Special Edition RHRA Update: COVID-19 coronavirus
- Every licensed retirement home in Ontario must have an infection control program
- Links to helpful resources
RHRA Update Vol. 12 – January 2020
Contents of this issue:
- RHRA reminds homes to take extra precautions against theft and suspicious activity in 2020
- All RHRA Compliance Assistance Modules are now available as printable PDFs
- Help spread the word: RHRA is seeking a resident to join its Stakeholder Advisory Council
- We want to hear from you: RHRA to survey stakeholders after inspections, licence applications and complaints
- RHRA launches awareness campaign
- Jonathan Boulakia joins the RHRA Board of Directors
- Update on automatic sprinklers in retirement homes
RHRA Update Vol. 11 – October 2019
Contents of this issue:
- RHRA introduces new Emergency Planning Compliance Assistance Module for operators and licensees
- Owner of Toronto unlicensed retirement home convicted and sentenced to jail
- RHRA’s new approach to routine inspections is well underway
- RHRA Celebration Event 2019
- RHRA publishes 2018/19 Annual Report
- One more way to stay connected – follow us on LinkedIn
RHRA Update Vol. 10 – July 2019
Contents of this issue:
- The RHRA Launches an Updated Approach to Routine Inspections
- Save the Date: RHRA Celebration Event on September 19, 2019
- Enhancing Your Understanding with RHRA’s Compliance Assistance Modules
- RHRA Update Readership Survey Results
- Changes to the Billing and Payment Contact Information
- Incident Report Form
RHRA Update Vol. 9 – April 2019
Contents of this issue:
- New Compliance Assistance Module on Assessments and Plans of Care – Available in May
- Piloting a Modified Inspections Process
- Monitoring Sprinkler Compliance Requirements
- Changes to Annual Reporting
- RHRA Update Readership Survey
- Nominate a Resident Champion – Nominations Due June 14!
RHRA Update Vol. 8 – December 2018
Contents of this issue:
- Address Change
- Fire Sprinkler Update
- Geriatric and Long-Term Care Review Committee – Recommendations for Licensees
- RHRA Resources
- New Features on the Public Register to Help Consumers Make Informed Decisions
- Extreme Weather Readiness
- Annual Celebration Event and AGM Update
RHRA Update Annual Fee Issue – September 2018
Contents of this issue:
- 2019 Annual Fees Update
RHRA Update Vol. 7 – July 2018
Contents of this issue:
- RHRA Annual Celebration, October 18. Hold the date!
- Stakeholder Effectiveness Survey
- Compliance Assistance Modules – CAMs
- Elevator Safety in Retirement Homes
RHRA Update Vo. 6 – April 2018
Contents of this issue:
- New Training Module – Assisting Homes with Voluntary Compliance
- Updating Your Home’s Sprinkler Status
- 2017 Annual Survey
- RHRA Interim CEO
RHRA Update Vol. 5 – February 2018
Contents of this issue:
- 2018 Annual Reporting
- Managing Residents Transitioning Back from Hospital
- Bill 160 – Amendments to the Retirement Homes Act, 2010
- Duty to Report Harm to Residents
- Recommendations from Ontario’s Geriatric and Long-Term Care Review Committee
- News for Residents
- Coming to your Town
RHRA Update Vol. 4 – November 2017
Contents of this issue:
- Fire sprinkler retrofit program
- New RHRA website now live
- Requirement for filing your accessibility compliance report
- Universal Influenza Immunization Program (UIIP)
- Helpful resources for flu and infection control
- RHRA 2016-17 Annual Report now online
RHRA Update Vol. 3 Special Issue: Annual Fees – September 2017
Contents of this issue:
- 2018 Annual Fees
- What you need to know about the rationale for the 2018 increase
RHRA Update Vol. 2 – September 2017
Contents of this issue:
- Sprinkler installation deadline
- Vulnerable sector screening
- Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) Bill C-14 legislation update
- MAID and the Retirement Homes Act, 2010: What you need to know as a retirement home licensee and operator
- RHRA Annual General Meeting – Save the date
RHRA Update Vol. 1 – April 2017
Contents of this issue:
- RHRA’s new five-year strategic plan
- Compliance support new in 2017-2018
- Annual reporting and online survey
- RHRA resources and educational materials
- Information on falls prevention
- If you’re planning to sell a home
- RHRA provincial tours
- New RHRA brochure