Formal Care Partners
RESOURCES
My Transitional Care Plan during the COVID-19 Pandemic
The Behavioural Support Integrated Teams Collaborative, supported by the Behavioural Supports Ontario Provincial Coordinating Office and brainXchange, is pleased to release the final version of ‘My Transitional Care Plan during the COVID-19 Pandemic’ (MTCPC19). This care plan can be used to help communicate the needs, preferences and individualized strategies to optimize seamless care transitions for older adults presenting with, or at risk of, responsive behaviours/personal expressions during the COVID-19 pandemic. It can be used to support all types of transitions, including those from the community or hospital into long-term care or to other locations across sectors.
MTCPC19 promotes person and family-centred approaches that integrate the individual’s personhood information and other critical details. Alongside the care plan itself, guidelines for its use are available, along with a completed example. All three documents are available for download in English & French at: https://brainxchange.ca/BSOBSIT
Peer Support:
Mental Health Apps
According to CAMH (Centre for Addiction and Mental Health), the following apps for mental health are resources for health care workers during COVID-19. The apps were created by different organizations, but all can be used to help manage stress related to the COVID-19 pandemic. All apps have been reviewed and were selected because of their evidence base, ease-of-use and privacy protocols. These apps are consistently recommended by psychiatrists from across the country who use apps in their general mental health practice and are only a few examples of the large number of digital tools that may be helpful. Although these apps are not meant to replace professional care, they can be used to complement treatment plans. If you are interested in learning more about digital health tool use in clinical practice, CAMH and Canada Health Infoway have recently released a guide to help identify existing digital health resources. The American Psychiatric Association also has a well-reviewed app evaluation model you can use.
Free Counselling, Resources & Professional Support Services
Whether you are feeling stressed or sad, dealing with substance use, or interested in learning how to maintain your mental health, you are encouraged to explore the free resources, tools, and professional support services available as part of the Wellness Together Canada program.
Visit wellnesstogether.ca or call 1-866-585-0445
Funded by Health Canada, Wellness Together Canada is available in both English and French as an online portal/website and can be accessed at wellnesstogether.ca. It can also be accessed by phone.
Crisis Response Virtual Training – The Mental Health Commission of Canada has developed the following free crisis response training programs for essential workers:
1) Crisis Response training – Caring for Yourself
2) Crisis Response training – Caring for your Team
Tolerance for Uncertainty: A COVID-19 Workbook – This workbook is meant to assist individuals in managing the strong emotions that can arise during the pandemic. Its interactive style provides guidance in self-reflection and ultimately the creation of a wellness action plan.
Managing Stress, Anxiety and Substance Use During Covid-19: A Resource For Healthcare Providers – This resource provides strategies to cope with the stress and anxiety experienced due to COVID-19, along with links to Canada’s Low-Risk Alcohol Drinking Guidelines and Canada’s Lower-Risk Cannabis Use Guidelines.
“Preventing and Recognizing Burnout and Compassion Fatigue While Working with Older Adults”
While all health service providers (HSP) are vulnerable to the impacts of burnout and compassion fatigue, those working with older adults have unique stresses that may make them at rate risk. With COVID-19 the needs of older adults are even great as they at a greater risk of experiencing severe illness and longer periods of isolation. This document defines burnout and compassion fatigue and provides ways to not only identify it but how to avoid it.
PROFESSIONAL QUALITY OF LIFE SCALE (PROQOL)
This three page tool asks care partners to assess their compassion in caring for others and how it can positively or negatively affect your well-being.
Supports for LTC Team Members During COVID-19
The BSO Provincial Coordinating Office is committed to supporting provincial teams, partners and the individuals and family care partners that we serve during the COVID-19 pandemic. One way that they will do this is by providing regular communications with pertinent updates and relevant resources. They also hope to regularly offer resources on wellness that might be helpful to maintain one’s strength and well-being at this time.
Brainxchange: BSO and brainXchange COVID-19 Resource Page:
A friendly reminder that you can find the BSO and brainXchange COVID-19 Resource webpage at https://brainxchange.ca/Public/Resource-Centre-Topics-A-to-Z/COVID-19.aspx This webpage provides access to reputable Public Health resources, Practical Tips, Wellness Strategies, Family Care Partner resources and more. We are adding to it daily!
Mental Health Supports for LTC
Homeweb: Mental Health Supports for LTC
- Homewood Health has partnered with the Ontario CLRI at RIA to provide free access to their online resources to Ontario long-term care home leaders and team members during the COVID-19 pandemic.These online tools include a self-directed cognitive behavioural therapy program for anxiety and depression, a health and wellness library, helpful articles, 20+ e-courses for stress and anxiety, and other resources to support the health and well-being of those who work in long-term care.
Homeweb is an innovative online platform that offers members access to personalized health and wellness tools, resources and support— anywhere, anytime.
Create Your Account:
You will need to create an account the first time you visit the website:
- Enter in the information required and click ‘Next Step’. You will use the e-mail address and password you choose for subsequent logins to Homeweb.ca
- Type in ‘CLRI’ as your association and click ‘Find it’
3.A list of possible organizations will appear in blue text. Select Ontario Centres for Learning, Research and Innovation in Long-Term Care
4.Choose your role from the options shown on the screen
5.Complete the registration by clicking ‘Sign in’
When logging into your account on subsequent visits, your association (Ontario CLRI) will be filled in automatically.
Audience(s): Clinicians, Educators, Leaders and managers, Staff / team members, Students
Tips and Tools
French version of the BSO-DOS© Resource Manual.
The BSO-DOS© (Behavioural Supports Ontario-Dementia Observation System) was released in May 2019 in its English form and is available at www.brainxchange.ca/BSODOS. The Behavioural Supports Ontario (BSO) Provincial Coordinating Office and the members of the DOS Working Group collaborated with francophone clinicians across Ontario to create the French translation of the Resource Manual to accompany the French BSO-DOS©, Start-up Checklist and User Guide released in December 2020. These stakeholders ensured the language in the French version remained person-centred and clinically relevant. The French translation of the BSO-DOS© and all its supporting resources can be found at: www.brainxchange.ca/BSODOSFR
Supporting COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake in Older Adults – COVID-19 vaccine myth-busting resources (tip sheet, video, and slide deck) for clinicians, to support vaccine uptake. Created by the Provincial Geriatric Leadership Office.
How to prepare for conversations about COVID-19 vaccination
Many, but not all, older adults and those who care for them are ready for and eagerly awaiting their turn for a COVID-19 vaccine. For those who are hesitant to roll up their sleeves, the clinician’s role as a care partner is vitally important in the decision-making process.
Do you have clear, evidence-based answers ready for questions like:
1. Does the vaccine contain mercury, aluminum or food allergens?
2. Why should I get the vaccine instead of taking my chances with the virus?
3. Is the risk of getting side effects from the vaccine high?
Ready-to-use answers to these and other common COVID-19 vaccine questions can be found in the PGLO’s new Facts and Fiction: COVID-19 mRNA vaccinations slide deck for clinicians. A video of these slides presented by Dr. Kevin Young, PGLO Co-Medical Director (Geriatric Medicine) and Physician Lead, North Simcoe Muskoka Specialized Geriatric Services, and a tip sheet for addressing vaccine hesitancy are also available
Social connection in residents of long-term care homes: mental health impacts and strategies during COVID-19
The infographic is here: https://katherinemcgilton.com/uploads/3/4/8/9/34894559/infographic.pdf
Guide to Virtual Creative Engagement for Older Adults (VCE Guide) developed by Simonne Cumberbatch – Community Behaviour Support Outreach Clinician at TC-LHIN BSSP, at Baycrest Health Sciences and Melissa Tafler – Arts-Based Learning Specialist, CLRI in collaboration with the Centre for Learning Research & Innovation (CLRI).
The Guide to Virtual Creative Engagement for Older Adults (VCE Guide) can help Long Term Care (LTC) teams address the under-stimulation and loneliness felt by residents arising from pandemic restrictions. The VCE Guide features a curated list of free virtual services appropriate for residents with various health conditions and ability levels.
While the tool was designed with focus on LTC environment it can be applied in a variety of settings including acute care and community. LTC Recreational therapists, social workers, nurses, and other team partners, may find the VCE Guide useful for choosing appropriate recreation activities for their clients. BSO Leads, LTC-BSOTs, GMHOTs and other behavioural support teams can use this tool in multiple settings to support care plan creation when addressing responsive behaviours triggered by isolation, lack of stimulation and restlessness.
Tool features:
➢ Summaries of each service and the easiest way to access them
➢ Tips and recommendations to encourage resident engagement
➢ Guidance around the most appropriate service for each resident’s abilities and interests
➢ Ten categories of engagement activities
Download the VCE Guide through this link
Behavioural Supports Integrated Teams (BSIT) Collaborative and brainXchange ‘My Transitional Care Plan during the Covid-19 Pandemic’. It highlights key Covid-19 considerations while also helping to communicate other personal needs, preferences and individualized strategies to optimize seamless care transitions for older adults presenting with, or at risk of, responsive behaviours/personal expressions during the pandemic.The care plan is intended to be used by Behavioural Supports Ontario (BSO) Clinicians/Team Members and other aligned team members that support transitions. The release of the tool is accompanied by Guidelines for Use as well as a completed example. Users are encouraged to review the Guidelines for Use before using the tool.You can learn more about the BSIT Collaborative and download ‘My Transitional Care Plan during the Covid-19 Pandemic’ along with supporting resources by clicking here (see link under ‘Now Featuring’).
COVID-19 Resources for Clinicians
COVID-19 is an emerging, rapidly evolving situation. Get the latest from the CDC, NIH, and the Liverpool drug interaction group
This website, including the information available on this website (“Website”), is for informational purposes only and is not intended as, and should not be interpreted as, medical advice or other professional advice. No healthcare provider – patient relationship is created between you and GeriMedRisk through use of this Website. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read, heard, or viewed on this Website. The Website is protected by copyright law and is owned by GeriMedRisk or its licensors. Your use of the Website is at your own risk and liability. You may print or download pages of the Website for your personal, legal, non-commercial use provided that you do not modify any of the content or remove or alter any disclaimers or notices. Clinical judgement is still required. GeriMedRisk does not endorse the use of any of these therapies for COVID, but offers this information in the hopes of decreasing the risk of harmful drug-drug interactions or adverse drug events. We will do our best to update this information.
GeriMedRisk COVID-19 drug table (updated April 15, 2020)
Hydroxychloroquine COVID drug summary (updated April 6, 2020)
Lopinavir/Ritonavir COVID drug summary (updated April 6, 2020)
Azithromycin COVID drug summary (updated March 31, 2020)
Tocilizumab COVID drug summary (updated April 21, 2020)
GeriMedRisk geriatric drug information creation process:
Tung JM-H, Bodkin RJ, Wang K, Ganesh V, Neat C, Raber C, et al. Geriatric Pharmacology Infographics: Efficient Knowledge Translation of Medication Optimization for Clinicians Caring for Older Adults. Can Geriatr J. 2019;23(3):140 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6715411/
Senior Friendly Care in Pandemic Times
Innovative ways to help you achieve better health outcomes for older adults living with frailty, across the continuum.
Necessity is the mother of invention
The pandemic has necessitated that healthcare providers follow appropriate infection prevention and control (IPAC) measures in conjunction with sfCare approaches. The use of personal protective equipment (PPE) for in-person care, and phone or video for virtual care has created not only a barrier to the spread of COVID-19, but a potential barrier to human connection as well. Healthcare providers have had to invent new ways to emanate caring through these barriers.
2 top tips to try:
- A glimpse at who’s behind the PPE – when wearing full PPE try placing a large photo of yourself on your gown, along with your name and role in large letters. This removes the “faceless / nameless” barrier of PPE and provides a visual cue that there’s a caring healthcare provider on the other side.
- A warm intro to virtual care – when providing virtual care to a new patient (especially if the first encounter is by phone), email or mail an introduction which includes your photo, a few professional highlights, and a few personal highlights. This gesture can help facilitate trust by replacing the visual cues in your office (certifications, family photos etc.).
Our QI coaches share bright ideas to support people who care for older adults living with frailty, and who want to learn from and inspire others. To share tools and experiences or ask for advice from others, including our QI coaches, join the sfCare Forum or email us.
Thank you to the senior friendly team at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre for sharing this article!
Your “mask voice”
Adapting communication to meet the needs of older adults is a senior friendly care approach. Adjusting your voice is a nuanced but powerful way to help you build trust through a mask. In Harvard Business Review’s article How to build rapport while wearing a mask, author Dustin York shares 4 great tips for perfecting your “mask voice”.
1. Provide pauses while you speak so the other person has the opportunity to engage in conversation.
2. Actively accentuate key information. Using different intonations prevents the voice from coming across as monotonous.
3. Speak a little louder to compensate for the muffling effect from the mask.
4. Amplify expression of emotion. Without the visual cues provided by the lower half of your face, your voice will need to be expressive enough to convey your emotions. A little goes a long way; too much can come across as disingenuous or theatrical.
Congregate Living Settings
| Public Health Ontario has a series of resources focused on congregate living settings. These resources can be used to help staff and administrators address COVID-19 prevention and control in these settings. Our newest additions to this series include: Focus On: Cohorting in Outbreaks in Congregate Living Settings A webinar on Cohorting During a COVID-19 Outbreak in a Congregate Living Setting |
Check out their website for further resources:https://www.publichealthontario.ca/en/diseases-and-conditions/infectious-diseases/respiratory-diseases/novel-coronavirus
Non pharmacological Approaches to Support Individuals Living with Dementia and maintaining Isolation Precautions:
This six page document provides some excellent tools and strategies for individuals living with dementia who are not to enter rooms where isolation precautions are in effect for co-residents/patients as well as for individuals living with dementia, who are on isolation precautions, and asked to stay in their own rooms.
COVID-19 resources to support the care of older adults with frailty
Early Mobilization
1. COVID-19 and Mobilization in Older Adults Living with Frailty (PDF) – Evidence-based recommendations and curated resources to help frail older adults remain active indoors. *New RGP Resource*
2. Stretch, Lift, or Tap (SLoT) – How Older Adults Can Stay Active Indoors (PDF) – A practical resource for frail older adults who are unable to leave their living spaces during the pandemic. Includes suggestions for how to add more movement to a daily routine, including two mobility games. *New RGP Resource*
Long-Term Care Tools
3. Guidance for Clients Who Wander and Require Physical Isolation (PDF) – Toronto Central BSO Coordinating office and the RGP of Toronto are pleased to jointly release this document that provides suggestions for non-pharmacological strategies that care teams can consider and implement when supporting frail older adults with dementia who are at risk due to wandering behaviour. We support an ethical approach that values person-centered care principles and gives due consideration to ruling out treatable causes of responsive behaviours.
The SfCare Learning Series: Conversation tools for older adults and caregivers
Regional Geriatric Programs of Ontario
1. Now available in French! The sfCare Learning Series includes handouts for use by all clinicians, including geriatric specialists, to support patient and caregiver engagement and patient self-management. Access English versions here * RGP Resource* It includes handouts for social and mobility prescriptions, delirium, polypharmacy, pain and nutrition.
LONG-TERM CARE
French version of the BSO-DOS© Resource Manual.
The BSO-DOS© (Behavioural Supports Ontario-Dementia Observation System) was released in May 2019 in its English form and is available at www.brainxchange.ca/BSODOS. The Behavioural Supports Ontario (BSO) Provincial Coordinating Office and the members of the DOS Working Group collaborated with francophone clinicians across Ontario to create the French translation of the Resource Manual to accompany the French BSO-DOS©, Start-up Checklist and User Guide released in December 2020. These stakeholders ensured the language in the French version remained person-centred and clinically relevant. The French translation of the BSO-DOS© and all its supporting resources can be found at: www.brainxchange.ca/BSODOSFR
Canadian Foundation for Healthcare Improvement
COVID-19 Vaccine Preparedness Resources for Long-term Care and Retirement Homes
*Please note the site and resources are also available in French and are divided into the following sections:
Section 1: Planning guidance for immunization clinics for COVID-19 vaccines
Section 2: Characteristics, handling, administration of the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines
Section 3: Promoting COVID-19 vaccine uptake: Information to guide healthcare provider discussions and to inform residents, staff and essential care partners
Section 4: Promoting COVID-19 vaccine uptake: Information to help improve the vaccine experience by reducing pain, anxiety and/or needle fears
Dementia Isolation Toolkit: https://dementiaisolationtoolkit.com
This excellent toolkit provides guidance and tools supporting best practices in the isolation of people with dementia in long-term care. It is available free of charge to download. Within the toolkit there is the ability to load the entire document which exists of 38 pages or there is also the option to download separate worksheets which include:
I. Isolation Decision- Making Workshop which provides an ethical approach to decision-making when confronted with difficult situations during COVID -19 pandemic.
II. Person-Centred Isolation Care Planning Worksheet: applies person centre- centred care approaches and strategies to support residents with dementia who need to be isolated or quarantined.
III. Ethical Guidance: provides an overview of the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on long-term care and discusses the ethical challenges associated with isolation dementia patients.
COVID-19 Looks Different for Those Living with Dementia (PDF) – 3 out of 4 people living with dementia and COVID-19 do not have a fever. This infographic developed by UHN displays some of the ways that COVID-19 presents in those living with dementia.
OnboardQi (HTML) – A platform for teams within or across organizations to collaboratively fill out readiness assessments that will inform quality improvement initiatives. A partnership between Think Research and the Health Standards Organization. Toolkits include topic such as, Indigenous health and wellness, virtual care, acute respiratory infection isolation, and infection control practices in congregate living settings. Read the joint press release
Ontario Health Data Platform (HTML) – Clinical decision-makers can now access health data to support health system planning and responsiveness and better detect, plan, and respond to COVID-19. Applications for data access can be submitted at: https://computeontario.ca/covid-19-health/
Virtual Visits Toolkit
- Website:https://www.fco.ngo/covid-19/virtual-visits-toolkit
- PDF:https://www.fco.ngo/sites/default/files/Virtual%20Visits%20Toolkit_0.pdf
- A toolkit for long-term care or retirement residence teams to set up video calls between residents and loved ones.
- Target audience is paid care partners
Tips for Video Chats with People with Dementia
Simple guidelines for engaging in a video chat for those in LTC and for those living at home.
COVID-19 Messaging Boards for Dementia Care
- This document includes a variety of messages for individuals living with dementia. Many do not understand what is going on, or remember what you have told them. For example, “What is COVID-19?”, “Why do I look like this?” (for staff to use if they are wearing a mask), “Why we are doing things differently, and why family are not visiting”. The file is a word document, providing you a template to make changes to suit your needs – and your environment.
Reference: https://www.dementiability.com/resources/COVID-Messaging-DementiAbility.docx
Social Relationships are Important for the Mental Health of People Living in Long-term Care Homes
Behavioural Supports Ontario (BSO) is pleased to announce the launch of an infographic:Social Relationships are Important for the Mental Health of People Living in Long-Term Care Homes. BSO is honoured to be a partner in this important initiative.
Social relationships are important for the mental health of people living in long-term care (LTC) homes. In Canada, coronavirus (COVID-19) has taken a particularly heavy toll among people living in long-term care homes. And the measures put in place to protect residents’ physical health – such as prohibiting visitors and reducing contact with other residents and staff – has also impacted their social connectedness. We know good social connectedness is associated with better physical and mental health and wellbeing. However, the concepts of social connectedness and strategies to address it have distinct considerations for people living in long-term care homes. Researchers at The Kite Research Institute (Toronto Rehabilitation Institute) and members of Behavioural Supports Ontario (BSO), Family Councils Ontario (FCO) and the Ontario Association of Residents’ Councils (OARC) are working together to summarize research evidence on the mental health impacts of social connectedness for residents of long-term care homes as well as some strategies that might help to address it.
An infographic poster summarizing preliminary results is available in English and French online at http://www.encoarteam.com/index.html – and long-term care homes can request free printed copies by mail.
The Seniors Health Knowledge Network has compiled a reading list entitled COVID-19, Older Adults and Social Isolation. It includes links to and summaries of a variety of resources including considerations regarding:
· Social isolation and loneliness, Ageism, Strategies to enable connections, Rurality, Bereavement
Source: COVID-19, Older Adults and Social Isolation
Ontario Centers for Learning, Research and Innovation in Long-term Care
This site offers an incredible number of supports for Long-term Care Team Members during COVID19.
Boredom Busters for Long-term Care
In an effort to minimize boredom and loneliness for residents living in long-term care during this challenging time, the Ontario CLRI at Bruyère and iGen Ottawa have put together a list of online resources for recreation therapists and recreation professionals to use in programming for residents. A lot has changed about day-to-day life in long-term care and we hope this list will provide some inspiration.
Reference:https://clri-ltc.ca/resource/boredom-busters/
Source: Ontario Centres for Learning, Research and Innovation in Long-term Care
Support Smoking Cessation in Long-term Care
Many limitations have been placed on residents/patients around accessing smoking areas during the COVID-19 pandemic. Below provides some considerations and recommendations to support decision making and clinical care in this circumstance
Guides for Supporting Clients Who Wander and Require Physical Isolation
Source: Regional Geriatric Programs of Toronto
Reports
Cannabis and Older Adults: Know the Facts
Behavioural Supports ON
Released March 2021
COVID-19 Vaccines- What Older Canadians Need to Know
National Institute on Ageing, Toronto
Released March 2021
Social Social connection in residents of long-term care homes: mental health impacts and strategies during COVID-19
The article is here: https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S1525861020309919
The report: https://katherinemcgilton.com/uploads/3/4/8/9/34894559/report__en__final_november_27th.pdf
“Dementia: The International Journal of Social Research and Practice” published a virtual special issue on the value of electronics. There are 9 excellent articles with perspectives given by people living with dementia, care partners and formal and informal care providers about the many ways tablets have assisted them during COVID-19.
https://journals.sagepub.com/page/dem/using-touchscreen-tablets-for-virtual-connection
The Ontario Caregiver Organization has recently released their Spotlight On Ontario’s Caregivers Report – COVID-19 Edition. This is an annual report that is being done by the Ontario Caregiver Organization that is based on a survey of 825 caregivers across Ontario. This year has been quite different for all of us, including caregivers, and this report helps us to better understand how caregivers are faring during this pandemic. We encourage you to check it out and share as fit.
Policy Guidance for the Reintegration of Caregivers as Essential Care Partners is a very important report published by the Canadian Foundation for Healthcare Improvement November 2020 for healthcare decision makes, notably system level policy makers and system leaders. The policy guidance was co-developed as part of a collaborative policy lab process that included policy decision-makers, health system leaders who implement policy, and the people who are impacted by policy decisions – providers, administrators, patients,* families and caregivers.
COVID-weary. COVID-tired. COVID-fatigued.
Canadians are feeling pandemic fatigue. Experts say ‘greater good’ message isn’t enough
According to this article, months of isolation, fears and lifestyle changes have taken its toll. In turn, following COVID-19 safety guidelines has begun to feel like more and more of a challenge. The challenge now — both for people and policymakers — is tackling it. Canada’s top doctor has repeatedly urged Canadians “not to give into COVID-19 fatigue.” What needs to change? For one, we need to acknowledge “things are different now,” said Samantha Yammine, a neuroscientist and science communicator. Not only do we know far more about the virus than in March, we also have tools to make activities safer, said Yammine. She said too much of the focus has been the “no’s” and “you cant’s” despite the public appetite for wanting to do things, but do them safely. “If we focus on what we can’t do rather than what we can, that’s why we fatigue. It feels very limiting.” This is where adopting a harm reduction approach would be helpful, she said, both on an individual level and policy level. “Every decision is a big task. … We’re at a point where should say, ‘Here’s how you reduce your risk as much as possible.’” Yammine said people need to feel empowered to make a choice through the right information. “I think then they’ll feel less trapped and hopefully less fatigued,” she said.
How to stop COVID 19: The Swiss cheese model
Every precaution you take gives you (and those around you) another layer of protection against COVID-19.
According to the article Fall COVID-19 surge means layering up by Powell River Physicians COVID-19 Steering Group / Powell River Peak, one way to think about risk is the Swiss cheese model (J. Reason, 2000). Each action is like a slice of swiss cheese; it offers some protection, but there are weak spots (holes) in each layer. When multiple slices are stacked together, however, a more concrete barrier emerges. Layering protective actions together, both as individuals and as a community, give us powerful defenses.
United Nations : COVID-19 Response must respect the rights and dignity of older people
https://www.un.org/en/coronavirus/our-response-covid-19-must-respect-rights-and-dignity-older-people
LIVING under COVID-19 Restrictions: The experiences of older adults and caregivers.
https://agewell-nce.ca/wp-content/uploads/OACAC_Living_under_COVID-19_restrictions_June2020.pdf
To provide the AGE-WELL research and innovation community with greater insights into the challenges of social isolation under COVID-19 restrictions, the members of AGE-WELL’s Older Adult and Caregiver Advisory Committee created personas and scenarios (P&S) to illustrate the experiences of seniors across eight key Challenge Areas. These challenges are the foundation of the future of technology and aging research in Canada: 1. Supportive Homes and Communities 2. Health Care and Health Service Delivery 3. Autonomy and Independence 4. Cognitive Health and Dementia 5. Mobility and Transportation 6. Healthy Lifestyles and Wellness 7. Staying Connected 8. Financial Wellness and Employment A persona and scenario is a semi-fictional account that describes a person, a situation and/or problem, and potential responses to that problem or scenario. This is a well-established method used in business and technology design to help developers to visualize real-world end-users and their needs. These insights could then be used to ensure that older adults and caregivers themselves would shape research and technology responses to the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.
(AGE–WELL is a pan-Canadian network that brings together researchers, older adults, caregivers, partner organizations and future leaders to accelerate the delivery of technology-based solutions that make a meaningful difference in the lives of Canadians).
· Canadian Guidelines on Alcohol Use Disorder among Older Adults (Canadian Coalition for Seniors Mental Health): The goal of these clinical guidelines is to provide useful guidance for clinicians on either preventing the development of alcohol use disorder or optimally assessing and treating older individuals who have developed such a disorder.
· Alcohol Use in Older Adults (Centre for Addiction and Mental Health): Provides a general overview of alcohol use in older people written in first-person language.
· Senior Alcohol Misuse Indicator (SAMI) Tool (Dr. Purcell & colleagues): a brief, senior-specific screening tool with questions that are designed to detect existing or potential alcohol problems in older adults without eliciting negative reactions, such as denial and defensiveness, from those being screened.
· ConnexOntario: Addiction, mental health and problem gambling treatment services.
· Alcohol & COVID-19 (Centre for Addiction and Mental Health): Information for people who may be at risk of drinking too much. This document also contains the following poster which may be helpful to share with others:
· Canada’s Low Risk Alcohol Drinking Guidelines: If you choose to consume alcohol, these guidelines can help you decide when, where, why and how. Low-risk drinking helps to promote a culture of moderation.
· Coping with Stress, Anxiety and Substance Use during COVID-19 (infographic) (Canadian Centre for Substance Use and Addiction): Overview of facts, tips and resources to help Canadians cope with stress, anxiety and substance use during COVID-19.
· Isolation and alcohol during a pandemic (Educ alcool): Provides strategies on how to moderate alcohol consumption during the pandemic.
Government of Canada: Corona Virus disease questions answered
- About COVID-19
- Symptoms and treatment
- Prevention and risks
- Travel restrictions and exemptions
- Canada’s response
- Being prepared
Reference:https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/coronavirus-disease-covid-19.html