Seniors’ Mental Health First Aid

Published May 7, 2020 | By Sheryl Loucks

Many seniors fear ageing stigma or mistakenly think a mental health problem is a normal part of ageing. The Canadian Mental Health Association estimates up to 40% of seniors experience depression and anxiety–this is not a normal part of ageing. There is help.

Here are some resources especially for seniors:

A Friendly Voice is a free call-in line for seniors 1-855-892-9992. You do not have to be in crisis or ill to call – this is for people who might just crave a chat. The service is manned by volunteers. For more details go to afriendlyvoice.ca
The Canadian Coalition for Seniors’ Mental Health has prepared the following activities to do while physically distancing https://ccsmh.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Activities-to-do-While-Physical-Distancing.pdf This pdf contains excellent links to free resources, videos and articles.
The Mental Health Commission of Canada has developed a free 14-hour course for seniors and caregivers called First Aid for Seniors’ Mental Health. h ttps://www.mhfa.ca/en/course-type/seniors

Tips to help address anxiety:

It is normal to feel sad, scared, lonely, isolated and distressed — don’t avoid these emotions, instead notice your emotions but remind yourself you are ok.
Take time to do other things — read, do crafts/artwork, listen to music, do gentle stretches, go for a short walk for fresh air or sit outside to watch nature. When doing something you enjoy, allow your mind to be present with the activity (what to you see and hear) rather than getting caught up in negative thoughts.
Take a mindfulness pause – recognize your feelings, positive or difficult emotions. Then use a healthy distraction; remember a positive memory of a past event or picture a beautiful place you hope to see. Take time to take in all the details. Close your eyes. What do you see? What do you hear? What do you feel? What do you taste or smell?

Physical distancing can lead to feelings of loneliness, sadness, frustration and leave us anxious. Seniors without access to social media and video contact tools are particularly isolated at this time during the pandemic.

You don’t need to hold hands to touch someone’s life. #TogetherApart

COVID 19 Updates

To register for our Covid Vaccination Clinic, fill out the form on this link and we will contact you. Your call-back may come up as an unlisted number because our staff works virtually. If you already filled out a form in the past, give us a call, we still have your information. https://forms.gle/FnhJfWkU3xyiVkXSA

Please do not call, unless you are returning our call, so we can keep our phone lines free for virtual care.

For all other groups, or to go to a mass vaccination clinic like the Cobourg Community Centre, please use the Provincial booking system for Covid-19 Vaccinations. Go to Ontario.ca/bookvaccine. Or you can call 1-888-999-6488.

The CCC, or any mass clinic, will drop off the provincial list if they no longer have available appointments for current vaccine supply. As vaccine supply comes in, more appointments are loaded into the systems. Do check back. For information on all eligible groups and local pharmacies also booking Covid vaccinations please go the HKPRDHU site click here.

Read an interview about these new vaccines with our Dr. Smith, the COVID-19 Vaccine Physician Lead for NFHT.

To Volunteer at the CCC clinic please go to https://northumberland.io/

Local COVID-19 Testing Centres Go To Appointment Only

For information about how to get a test, or see a primary care provider about symptoms at the NHH COVID-19 Assessment Centre or at the Trent Hills COVID-19 Testing Centre, and to find about more about local testing coordination efforts, please click here to read the latest news release from the Ontario Health Team of Northumberland.

How to reach a Doctor

For those with or without a family doctor, individuals in Northumberland can use the new website northumberlandcare.com to find the best way to reach a family doctor or nurse practitioner during the COVID-19 outbreak. Click here for the press release.Northumberland Care Press Release 2020-03-22

What’s Happening in Our Community

The Colborne outreach clinic will open April 6. Learn more, including the services planned for this location by clicking here.

Assess the risk of visiting others during the pandemic – use this online tool developed by experts to determine the risk level of a visit, particularly to seniors or those with chronic illness. www.covidvisitrisk.com

Grocery shopping for seniors only and delivery service is available in Northumberland’s stores. Click here for a detailed list of hours.

MASKS HELP PROTECT YOU AND ME

To learn more about personal preventative measures against Covid 19, including where it is mandatory to wear a mask, please see the Ontario Health Team Northumberland’s press release here.

If you have an in-person appointment with a health care provider at any of the NFHT offices, please wear your own mask (homemade or otherwise). Please ensure the mask covers both your nose and mouth. These infection control protocols are to protect our patients and staff during the COVID-19 pandemic.

CALL FOR DONATED CLOTH MASKS

The OHTN is collecting donated cloth masks. For more information about the program and information on how to make a mask please click here. New drop off locations:

BRIGHTON –Community Care Northumberland –46 Prince Edward Street (arrange drop-off –613-475-4190, brighton@commcare.ca)

CAMPBELLFORD –Community Living Campbellford–65 Bridge Street East (call in advance -705.653.1821, ext 203)

COBOURG -Northumberland Hills Hospital’s main entrance, 1000 DePalma Drive–between 8 AM and 8 PM daily