Caring for our mental health is equally as important as monitoring our physical health. This is especially relevant during a stressful period such as the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
According to Col Helen Wright, Director Mental Health, Canadian Forces Health Services Group, “it’s normal to feel sad, distressed, worried, confused, scared, or angry when experiencing a situation such as COVID-19. However, signs of severe emotional distress, such as persistent insomnia, interpersonal problems, disabling fear, increased use of substances, indicate you should reach out for help.”
Here is a list of some of the mental health resources available to seniors:
The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) is the most established, most extensive community mental health organization in Canada. CMHA has 75 community-based branches work in unison to provide advocacy, programs, and resources that help to prevent mental health problems and illnesses, support recovery and resilience, and enable all Canadians to flourish and thrive including seniors.
Visit the CMHA website to find the branch nearest to you.
The Canadian Coalition for Seniors Mental Health (CCSMH) works to promote seniors’ mental health by connecting people, ideas, and resources. Its areas of focus include delirium, depression, suicide prevention, substance abuse, and helping seniors who are transitioning into long-term care which includes 24-hour nursing care and support. CCSMH offers tools for seniors and their families along with a list of general and COVID-19 focused resources.
Visit the CCSMH website to learn more about this resource.
In response to COVID-19, Wellness Together Canada offers an online portal that is accessible 24-7 to everyone with no fees. Services range from immediate crisis support to mental health screening and self-assessment tools, education resources e-courses, access to virtual Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, and access to counseling support by phone, text, or live chat in both English or French.
Visit the Wellness Together website to learn more about this resource.
The Government of Canada online is a reliable resource on a wide number of topics. For example, taking care of your mental health during COVID-19, types of mental illnesses, and how to improve your mental health. You can also find more information on what Canada is doing on suicide prevention and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Visit the Government of Canada website to learn more about this resource.
For those living with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia, this difficult time can become even more challenging. The responsibilities of having to explain COVID-19 and maintaining the person’s hygiene can quickly become overwhelming for the caretaker and recipient. The Alzheimer’s Society of Canada offers a guide for caregivers, including how to best explain COVID-19 and proper handwashing.
Visit their website to learn more and download the reference guide. The memory care program at Seasons is specifically designed to care for seniors living with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease in a dedicated, secure area within some of our residences. To learn more about the Seasons Embrace Today™ memory care philosophy, click here.
At Seasons, we continue to check in with residents and come up with creative ways to safely keep everyone engaged and connected until we can return to regular operations.
It pleases us to be able to offer personal visits to our retirement communities. Rest assured all visits are scheduled in accordance with COVID-19 safety protocols. Book a personal tour today to decide if Seasons is the right fit for you or a loved one. Please complete our contact form and we will contact you to arrange a visit or other convenient alternatives that might suit you better.