As of May 4, 2020, the MSSS would have drawn up a gradual deconfinement plan for private seniors 'residences, in order to reduce the effects of prolonged confinement on the physical and mental condition of seniors living in private seniors' residences (RPA). Several conditions are obviously included in this plan.
Details of the RPA deconfinement gradual plan
This plan confirmed on the press briefing on May 5, 2020 by the Quebec Government has been obtained by La Presse and present the conditions for gradual deconfinement for 1900 private residences concerned. The government could implement this plan as early as Tuesday. Moreover, the MSSS specifies in the document that containment measures could be reintroduced by public health, at any time.
The easing of the measures would aim to improve the mental health of seniors. As Dr Arruda reminds us in the press briefing of May 5, 2020, "physical health should not be protected at the expense of mental health." According to him, confinement has several risks on mental health, associated with: loss of social ties, anxiety, fear, loss of independence, brain atrophy, increased risk of falls and non-stimulation.
Here are the important points of the plan:
concerns only private residences for seniors (RPA) and therefore does not concern CHSLDs.
only private residences which do not present any probable or confirmed case of COVID-19 may be in deconfinement.
an entry and exit register will be obligatory,
wearing a face covering will be recommended.
hand washing obligatory on departure and return from the residence.
obligatory physical distance of at least 2 meters
Deconfinement conditions and measures according to regions
In the internal working document of the MSSS, there is a gradual deconfinement plan in 3 steps according to the regions and categories of private seniors' residences. A schedule of deconfinement measures for each "stage" is spread over three weeks. The rules are different in the case of a residence for autonomous seniors or a residence for semi-autonomous people.
Step 1
Bas-St-Laurent, Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean, Outaouais, Abitibi-Témiscamingue, Côte-Nord, Nord-du-Québec, Gaspésie and Îles-de-la-Madeleine
Step 2
Capitale-Nationale, Mauricie-Center-du-Québec, Estrie, Chaudière-Appalaches, Lanaudière, Laurentides
Step 3
Montreal, Laval, Montérégie
For more details on the measures, dates, conditions and steps, please consult the deconfinement plan below.
Click here to access the deconfinement plan, in private residences for seniors (RPA).
According to La Presse, you should know that the dates of entry into force of the measures indicated there (May 4, 11 and 19) can be changed in the government's announcement on Tuesday.
Financial aid to come?
Since the start of the pandemic, several financial assistance measures have been put in place in Quebec, for workers, businesses, and students. The federal government promises that soon it will be the seniors' turn. “Now we're going to look at the elders too. We have already taken certain measures to help our seniors, but we will do more. And we will have things to announce in the coming days, "said Mr. Trudeau during his daily press conference on Wednesday.
According to the Journal de Montréal, in the entourage of the Prime Minister, it is indicated that the assistance plan for seniors is still in preparation, but that it could be presented during the next week. To be continued...
