Mother’s Day is a special time when many families visit with their mothers in residential care, bringing gifts and cards. However, considering the visitor restrictions currently in place at long-term care homes across the region as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s celebration will be a little different.
Gifts While many homes in Newfoundland and Labrador previously prohibited gift drop-offs, all long-term care homes will be accepting gifts for Mother’s Day. Families of residents in personal care homes and community care homes are encouraged to contact the home to determine if gifts or cards will be accepted.
Each long term care home is in the process of contacting the resident’s next of kin/substitute decision to provide details on how and when to drop off gifts. Loved ones are asked to designate one family member to drop off the gift(s) to the long term care home, as to avoid congestion and adhere to physical distancing measures. Gifts will be delivered by staff to the residents on Sunday, May 10.
Gifts may include flowers, cards, food and clothing. Perishable food is not recommended unless the home has indicated drop off can occur on Sunday May 10. Items do not have to be stored prior to delivery, and very large and heavy items will not be accepted as this will be difficult for staff to deliver to the units. Please remember to abide by scent policies, particularly if you are gifting flowers. Flowers with strong scents and those that are allergy inducing are not permitted. Highly scented flowers include lilies, lillacs, lavenders, hyacinth, peonies and poinsettas.
Each Central Newfoundland long-term care home has developed a process to accept gifts/cards and will advise families of times to drop off gifts. The processes put in place will ensure that physical distancing requirements are met by avoiding large numbers of people dropping off gifts at the same time.
Virtual Visitation
If you would like to connect with a resident during Mother’s Day, or at any other time, virtual visitation options within Central Health are still available.
Central Health encourages families to communicate with their loved one by phone or virtually (e.g., FaceTime). If a resident needs some assistance with technology, our staff are there to help. Residents are also able to use their personal devices (cell phone, iPad, landline (if they have a phone in their room) to maintain contact.
To set up a virtual visit please contact your loved one’s Social Worker or Therapeutic Recreation Staff.
For those who will be making a window visit with a loved one, please be advised windows must be kept closed.
Contact Information
Baie Verte Peninsula Health Centre
709-532-4281
Valley Vista
709-673-3936
A.M. Guy Memorial Health Centre
709-672-3304/3305
Carmelite House
709-292-2500
Hope Valley
709-292-8360
Dr. Hugh Twomey Health Centre
709-257-2874
Connaigre Peninsula Health Centre
709-885-2359
Lewisporte Health Centre 709-535-6767/6726
Lakeside Homes
709-256-8850
Bonnews Lodge 709-536-2160
Fogo Island Health Centre
709-266-3433
Notre Dame Bay Memorial Health Centre 709-884-2131
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Media contact:
Gayle St. Croix, Director of Communications and Government Relations (Interim)
cell: (709) 572 1165
