The lifting of certain sanitary measures delighted the residents of Villa Chicoutimi, in Saguenay, where there was an atmosphere at dinner on Monday.
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A guest singer, Mario Vézina, embellished the meal, but also the relaxations. For the first time in a few weeks, the plexiglass had been removed, while 10 people can be seated at the same table with a meter between each table.
“We are all tired, testified Charlotte Gagnon. But when something good happens to us like today, it’s wonderful. We feel very comfortable. It’s certain. It’s obvious. It’s nice to be able to see people and to be able to chat. Today is happiness.”
Furthermore, it is recommended to have a maximum of 10 visitors for one resident. These visitors and caregivers can also go to the common areas of RPAs.
Thus, some elderly people, like Rodrigue Gagné, 93, will be able to see grandchildren and great-grandchildren born during the pandemic for the first time.
“My grandchildren, they cannot come while there, we will be able to see them,” he enthused.
All activities can also take place with 50% of the room’s capacity.
For example, exercise mornings could bring together more people. At Villa Chicoutimi, there were nine of them training at the same time. They can now be 12.
Salsa Nueva dance school teacher Patrick Potvin, who gets the residents moving, believes it helps to have more of them together. “Participating in a gang activity is really fun. It’s motivating,” he said.
And it will allow Léo Vachon, 99, a passionate pool player, to face more opponents.
“It’s good to see people. When you are alone all the time, you get discouraged,” confided the one who will be a centenarian in three months.
Mario Vézina was proud to make their day better. “It’s to give them happiness, a pleasure. And to be well. And to chat now, with the new relaxations.
As of next Monday, February 28, the same relaxations will be applied in CHSLDs and intermediate resources.