About us

The Good Samaritan Society, a Lutheran Social Service Organization, is a not-for-profit, registered charity with over 65 years of experience providing specialized health and community care services in innovative and caring environments.

Corporate Office

8861 75 Street, Edmonton, AB

goodsaminfo@gss.org

1-780-431-3600

Visitation Protocols

As an organization, we are working in partnership with the various health authorities and governments as we deal with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. We are following all Public Health Orders, including on visitation. As an organization, and through the dedication of our frontline employees, we are doing all that we can to prevent COVID-19 from entering our care homes.

Thank you for your assistance in keeping our residents and clients safe.

Alberta

A survey was conducted in October among our residents/individuals/legal representatives regarding visitation and vaccination requirements for visitors. EOC has completed the analysis of the survey results and our residents/individuals/legal representatives are largely supportive of the requirement for visitors to be fully immunized. EOC has also taken into consideration feedback that has been received to date concerning both continuing with the proof of vaccination requirement and not. 

Furthermore, the CMOH order 49-2021 states that operators may choose to implement additional site-based policies and processes for COVID-19 prevention:

  • Policies and processes must be appropriate to the local context.
  • Policies and processes must be based on resident and family member preferences.

As such, effective December 1, 2021, the following visitation requirements have been implemented at the majority of our care/group homes. If you are unsure of the protocols for the care/group home you are visiting, please call ahead of arriving on site.

Social Visits

  • All social visitors (12 and over) to the care home will be asked to provide proof of being fully immunized against COVID-19 (2 doses of an approved vaccine of 1 dose of Janssen vaccine).
  • Visitors will continue to be screened for COVID-19 symptoms upon entry.
  • Visitors must continuously wear a mask for the duration of their visit.
  • Children 5 to 11 can continue to visit provided they are continually masked for the duration of their visit.

Designated Support Persons (DSP)

  • All DSPs will be asked to provide proof of vaccination. However, if a DSP is unvaccinated they can continue to visit provided they:
    1. Must be continually masked for the duration of their visit; and
    2. Visit within the resident/individuals room only or a private area close to the room where there are no other residents/individuals/families.
      • In the case of semi-private rooms, visits can take place in the resident/individuals room provided consent has been received by the roommate.
      • Physical distancing requirements are to be followed.
      • If the roommate does not consent to having the visit take place in their room, an alternative location will be facilitated.

Day Programs

There is no requirement for clients attending a day program to be immunized.  However, visitors to the day program will be treated in the same manner as indicated above.

End of Life/Palliative Care

Visits for compassionate care, including critical illness, palliative care, end of life and medical assistance in dying will continue to be accommodated.

British Columbia

Visits to long-term care facilities are restricted to essential visits and visits from single designated visitors. 
  • Essential visits include visits for compassionate reasons, such as end-of-life care or those essential to a resident’s care and mental well-being. Contact the long-term care facility to find out if you qualify as an essential visitor
  • Every resident in long-term care can identify a single designated visitor who may continue to visit the resident at times when visitation is restricted. Single designated visitors are permitted in a care home/residence that has an active COVID-19 outbreak, under guidance and direction from the local medical health officer.

As always, all visitors age 12 and older must provide proof of vaccination status and undergo rapid antigen testing before entry.

Stay Connected

We continue to encourage families and friends to stay in touch with residents virtually. If you would like more information, please reach out to the care home to learn more about the different ways you can connect. Our well wishes tool is also available to you on our website (http://www.gss.org/well-wishes) where loved ones can send a message and photos to those in our care.

If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us.

A letter to families and residents can be found on this page: https://gss.org/preparations-for-covid-19/

Visitor Screening Tools

Continuing Care Daily Checklist for Visitors
British Columbia: Screening Questionnaire
Good Samaritan Christenson Village Screening Questionnaire