Canadian Coalition for Seniors’ Mental Health 

The Canadian Coalition for Seniors’ Mental Health promotes that all seniors have the right and deserve to receive services and care that promotes their mental health and responds to their mental health needs. To help caregivers, they have created a document titled Behaviours in Dementia Toolkit: Practical & Evidence Informed, that focuses on aiding care givers of people living with dementia, to live well. 

Behaviours in Dementia Toolkit 

Client Intervention and Support Services (CISS) 

Client Intervention and Support Services is a York Region program focused on social work services aimed at helping seniors continue to live independently in their communities for as long as possible. Services include in-home assessments, information and referrals to community programs and services, supportive counselling, advocating for client’s needs and/or rights, helping clients to access appropriate services and resources. Areas that they can assist in are elder abuse, finances, bereavement, managing family relationships/tensions, age related future planning, other age-related concerns, and support for family members/caregivers.  Client Intervention and Support Services | York Region 

Provincial Geriatrics Leadership Ontario (PGLO) 

The PGLO leads provincial coordination of specialized physical, cognitive, social, and mental health services for older adults and advocates for integrated, person-centred care for older adults.  The Ministry of Health directly funds the PGLO and focuses on building capacity, driving clinical excellence, advancement of older adult health policy, and the advance performance management in older adult health services. This link is to the Caregiving Strategies Handbook: Providing care and support for a senior living with frailty. There is specific focus on caring for the caregiver to assist in the prevention of caregiver burnout.  

Caregiving Strategies Handbook (All Languages) - Provincial Geriatrics Leadership Ontario (geriatricsontario.ca) 

Regional Geriatric Program of Ontario 

Published by the Regional Geriatric Program of Ontario, Caregiving Strategies Handbook: Providing Care and Support for Senior Living with Frailty focuses on the caregiver needs and how to prioritize self-care. There are strategies and resources for the caregiver to use on a variety of different relevant topics. 

RGPO-Caregiving-Strategies-Handbook-r3-new-logo.pdf (geriatricsontario.ca)  

Regional Geriatric Program of Toronto 

Regional Geriatric Program (RGP) of Toronto is composed of individuals with expertise in geriatrics, gerontology, and adult education. They have compiled resources for older adults and the caregivers that support older adults in the community.  The RGP support a network of geriatric service teams across 23 organizations, one of which is Mackenzie Health.  

Resources for Older Adults and Caregivers | Regional Geriatric Program of Toronto (rgptoronto.ca) 

York Region Plan to Support Seniors

York Region has just published its 2024 to 2027 York Region Plan to Support Seniors: Navigating Forward Together that identifies areas of priority, objectives, and actions to get there as well as the advocacy that York Region will take to enhance the health and well-being of our seniors, focusing on aging in the right place. The plan can be accessed from this link Plan to Support Seniors | York Region . Scrolling down to the Related Resources section, there is a link to the programs and services for seniors that has a wide range of services to help seniors stay health, safe and independent.

Alzheimer Society 

Alzheimer Society’s mission is to alleviate the personal and social consequences of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias and to promote the search for causes, treatments and a cure. They work together with both the caregiver and the person with dementia. Alzheimer Society of York Region 

Alzheimer Society of York Region Caregiver Support Groups  

Caregiver support groups are offered through the Alzheimer’s Society of York Region and are free to families and caregivers affected by a diagnosis of dementia.  The support groups help by maintaining and increasing feelings of self-worth and control by sharing common problems. The sharing of problems enables the group to learn from one another and to help each other cope more effectively in a safe, care environment.  Caregiver support groups | Alzheimer Society of York Region 

Alzheimer Society of York Region D.A.Y. Centre  

The D.A.Y. program offers social stimulation for a person diagnosed with dementia and respite for caregivers.  The goal of the program is to maintain optimum level of intellectual, physical, and social functioning and delay the need for institutionalization. D.A.Y. Centre | Alzheimer Society of York Region 

Alzheimer Society of York Region First Link 

This is a referral program that connects newly diagnosed persons with dementia and their caregivers with community supports including learning supports, link to care supports, social work services, and facilitated peer support groups. First Link® | Alzheimer Society of York Region

CBAO-COSTI Seniors Day Program  

This nonprofit organization is hosted at the Finch site of Humber River Hospital. It has been created to mimic a social club/ school where people participate in activities (drawing, baking, music etc.) that do not focus on their cognitive impairment.  Appropriate attendees are those that speak Italian, Portuguese, or Spanish that have early to moderate dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. The program does require a physician referral, ideally a geriatrician, psychogeriatrician, or a neurologist because they want to know when the person was formally diagnosed with dementia. There is a nominal daily fee and up to 50 individuals can participate each day. The catchment area for this program is residents of the GTA and York Region. COSTI: CBAO-COSTI Seniors Day Program 

Client Intervention and Support Services (CISS)

Client Intervention and Support Services is a York Region program focused on social work services aimed at helping seniors continue to live independently in their communities for as long as possible. Services include in-home assessments, information and referrals to community programs and services, supportive counselling, advocating for client’s needs and/or rights, helping clients to access appropriate services and resources. Areas that they can assist in are elder abuse, finances, bereavement, managing family relationships/tensions, age related future planning, other age-related concerns, and support for family members/caregivers.  Client Intervention and Support Services | York Region

Home and Community Care Support Services  

Dedicated to helping everyone to be healthier at home through connected, accessible, patient-centred care. Provide a wide range of health care services and resources that are covered through the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) and can be provided in a person’s home or at a nursing clinic.  Some of the services that are available based on need include nursing, personal support, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and long-term care placement. Information can be found here  Home and Community Care Support Services (healthcareathome.ca) .  Home and Community Care Support Services is also responsible for maintaining the Central Health Line (Health Services for York Region - centralhealthline.ca) website that provides linkages to health care options, information on various health topics, exercise and fall prevention information, hospice palliative care resources, and stroke resources.

The Ontario Caregiver Organization 

This organization supports caregivers to ease caregiver burn-out and to improve the caregiver experience. There is access to a 24/7 helpline and offers peer support, webinars for caregivers, counselling and coaching. The Ontario Caregiver Organization is a charitable organization that is funded through the Ministry of Health. 

Ontario Caregiver Helpline 1-833-416-2273 (CARE) https://ontariocaregiver.ca/

Parkinson Canada  

This website provides information about symptoms, the latest research, and strategies focused on living with Parkinson’s disease.  There is also an on-line tool that connects you with Parkinson’s-informed services and programs that are based on your location. The website also has information and a referral helpline that provides free, confidential non-medical information and referral services (1-888-664-1974). 

Home - Parkinson Canada 

Parkinson Canada Support programs  

Find local support groups in your community to provide mutual support from other people living with Parkinson’s Disease. Some groups are subject specific (young onset, newly diagnosed, caregivers) while others are more general.  Support Groups - Parkinson Canada 

York Regional Police – Senior Safety Officer

Police officers provide information on programs and services for seniors. They are there to support seniors in the community.

Telephone 1-866-876-5423 ext. 6649/6664 or email seniorsaftey@yrp.ca

The Government of Canada has a Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre that provides useful links for both individuals and business on how to protect yourself from scam and frauds. 

Protect yourself from scams and fraud (antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca) 

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police have a Seniors’ Guidebook to Safety and Security that covers diverse content ranging from elder abuse, home and vehicle safety, fraud and scams to power of attorney's and wills. This comprehensive content provides focused educational content. 

2022_-_Seniors_Guidebook_to_Safety_and_Security_-_ENG_-PDF_VERSION.pdf (rcmp-grc.gc.ca)

York Regional Police has a website dedicated to fraud prevention. This link directs the user to a site that lists the ongoing scams circulating within our community, and even has a section on Grandparent Scams and how to better protect yourself. 

Fraud Prevention - York Regional Police (yrp.ca)

Finding your way 

Finding your way is a resource rich website that includes tip sheets, videos, and online tutorials.  This website has links to living safely with dementia, resources, locating technology and more. The information is provided in partnership between Alzheimer Society of Ontario and the Government of Ontario. There is a link for an Identification Form that captures essential information on the missing person. By being proactive the caregiver can provide a fulsome description of the missing individual. 

Finding Your Way (findingyourwayontario.ca) 

Locating devices & Safety in York Region 

While people living with dementia have the right to move freely, changes in the brain can affect a person’s ability to find their way. Tracking devices use technology to help find a person or object. This link provides you with information on various tracking devices. As a note, it is still important to call 911 when a person living with dementia has gone missing regardless of if a tracking device is on their person.  

Safety in York Region | Alzheimer Society of York Region  

Medic Alert’s Safe & Found Program  

This program is run by the Medic Alert Foundation Canada and has been in operation since 2012 when they were asked by the RCMP and Alzheimer’s Society to manage the National Wandering Registry, a list of over 50,000 people living with Alzheimer’s and other dementias.  It involves a nationally recognized blue dementia ID that allows first responders to respond swiftly and effectively reunite missing individuals with their families and caregivers.  

postcard safe & found.pdf (alzheimer.ca)  

Project Lifesaver  

Is a community based, public safety, non-profit organization that provides first responders and caregivers a program designed to protect, and when necessary, quickly locate individuals with cognitive disorders who are prone to wandering. Information can be found at  Project Lifesaver International | Bringing Loved Ones Home . Information specific to York Region residents can be found through York Regional Police’s Project Lifesaver at Project Lifesaver - York Regional Police (yrp.ca)  

Vulnerable Person Registry with York Regional Police 

The Vulnerable Person Registry allows for an improved police response to vulnerable people who may require emergency assistance due to their condition. It speeds up locating and assisting vulnerable residents or frequent visitors to York Region by making essential personal information readily available to responding officers. Vulnerable Person Registry - York Regional Police (yrp.ca)  

Delirium, dementia and depression

Although many older adults are affected by delirium, dementia and depression, these conditions are not normal parts of aging. A person can have more than one of these conditions at a time, and differentiating between the three conditions can be challenging. The Registered Nurses Association of Ontario’s International Affairs & Best Practice Guidelines has created a document that helps individuals learn the difference between the three conditions and when to seek medical attention.  This health education fact sheet can be found here Slide 1 (rnao.ca)

Understanding Reactive Behaviours and Strategies

People who have advancing dementia often have reactive or responsive behaviours. These terms are used to refer to the actions, words or gestures presented by a person with dementia as a way of responding to something negative, frustrating or confusion in their physical environment. The changes in behaviour can be upsetting and frustrating for both the person with dementia and those around them.  Common behaviour can include aggression, agitation, wandering, hallucinations, paranoia, and becoming more withdrawn to name a few. The Alzheimer Society of Canada created a Conversation About series that Includes Dementia and Responsive Behaviours and can be found here conversations_dementia-and-responsive-behaviours.pdf (alzheimer.ca)  Sinai Health’s Circle of Care also has tips for addressing dementia-related hallucinations and delusions that can help caregivers of people with dementia. Tips for Addressing Dementia-Related Hallucinations and Delusions – Circle of Care

Exit Seeking and Wandering Behaviours

Wandering is a common behaviour associated with dementia. This can occur at any time of day or night and can occur on foot, by car or public transportation. It may lead the person with dementia outdoors which exposes them to dangers such as inclement weather conditions. The Alzheimer Society of British Columbia https://alzheimer.ca/bc/en/help-support/programs-services/dementia-resources-bc/wandering-disorientation-resources/wandering-dementia has educational resources that discusses possible reasons for wandering, coping strategies, ways to reduce the risk of wandering, and what to do if a wandering incident occurs.

Elder Abuse

Elder abuse is an intentional act or failure to act that causes or creates a risk of harm to an older adult. The abuse occurs at the hands of a caregiver or a person the elder trusts. There are five different types of elder abuse. These are physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional or psychological abuse, neglect, and financial abuse. The Government of Canada’s website on Family Violence Family Violence (justice.gc.ca) has developed an Abuse is Wrong educational series in a variety of languages to help the older adult navigate this topic. Elder Abuse Prevention Ontario (EAPO) is a provincial organization with a mission to create an Ontario free from abuse for all seniors.  The EAPO provide support to seniors affected by abuse, foster public awareness, deliver training, and community building. On their website, they have links to upcoming webinars and links to their blogs. Home - Elder Abuse Prevention Ontario (eapon.ca)

Frailty

Frailty is an important concept to understand because in some cases, by identifying the potential for frailty, and intervening early, frailty can be prevented, postponed, and even reversed. Frailty is a phenomenon that is unique to the individual experiencing it. Not all older adults live with frailty and their experience may vary over time. The Caregiving Strategies Handbook: Providing Care and Support for a Senior Living with Frailty was created in partnership with the Government of Ontario, sfCare, and the Provincial Geriatrics Leadership Ontario and can be accessed here RGPO-Caregiving-Strategies-Handbook-r3-new-logo.pdf (geriatricsontario.ca)

Goals of Care

Goals of Care discussion occur in the context of a serious illness when there are treatment or care decision that need to be made. These conversations should be undertaken BEFORE a serious illness or disease occurs. Talk about your healthcare goals and wishes with you family. Understand the decisions your loved ones have regarding their health and quality of life. Not everyone will have the same ideals.  By having the discussion early, those in your circle of care will know how to advocate for you, when you are no longer able to. When clearly communicated to the healthcare team, your values, wishes, and beliefs, can be respected. The Hospice Palliative Care Ontario with support of the Government of Ontario has created an Advanced Care Planning in Ontario website where the user can access information on advance care planning, substitute decision makers, available resources, and educational support. Prepare with Your Substitute Decision-Maker : Advance Care Planning Ontario

Incontinence

Urinary incontinence is not a normal part of aging.  The Regional Geriatric Program of Toronto provides a document with strategies and guidance on what to do next, and can be found at https://geriatricsontario.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/RGPO-Caregiving-Strategies-Handbook-r3-new-logo.pdf There is also a chapter on Bladder Health that discusses underlying causes, types of urinary incontinence, strategies to manage and links to resources that are available in the community. Bladder Health - Provincial Geriatrics Leadership Ontario (geriatricsontario.ca)

Nutrition

Older adults are more likely to experience poor nutrition. This can be caused by many factors, including lack of awareness that a person is at risk for poor nutrition. The Regional Geriatric Leadership of Ontario organization discusses the importance of nutrition and provides a self assessment that anyone can complete.  There are also samples of weekly meal planners created by Dietitians of Canada. You are encouraged to visit  Nutrition - Provincial Geriatrics Leadership Ontario (geriatricsontario.ca) to benefit from a wealth of supports and links to further information.

Polypharmacy

Polypharmacy is defined as using five or more medications on a daily basis.  It is important to ask your healthcare team about the medications that you are taking, specifically:

1. Asking your healthcare team if any medications have been added, stopped or changed and the reasons for this.
2. Which medications you should continue to take and why
3. Confirming your understanding of how to properly take the medications and the length of time you will be taking them.
4. How would you know if your medications are working and what possible side affects you may experience?
5. When should you follow up?

Communicating with your healthcare team is an important aspect of care.  Sometimes it can be difficult to keep everything straight, especially when you have multiple specialists.  This link Medication-Chart-Template.pdf (mydev.ca) will allow you to document your medications in one place, enabling for seamless transitions in care. For more information, please visit Medication Management - Provincial Geriatrics Leadership Ontario (geriatricsontario.ca)

Social Engagement

Loneliness and social isolation can happen at any age, but the rates are significantly higher for seniors. An important aspect of life is making meaningful connections and maintaining close, fulfilling relationships. As we age, the relationships that we maintain may start to disappear as people transition into the next phase of their life. The Provincial Geriatric Leadership Ontario organization has prepared resources to support social engagement and when to seek help. These resources can be found at Social Engagement - Provincial Geriatrics Leadership Ontario (geriatricsontario.ca)

Staying Active & Falls Prevention Strategies

Staying active is one of the best ways a person can continue their routines and remain functionally independent. Recognizing that there are different levels of mobility, it is important to set goals for health activities. Equally important are strategies that can be used for safe mobilization along with fall prevention suggestions. Resources specific to this topic can be found at  Staying Active - Provincial Geriatrics Leadership Ontario (geriatricsontario.ca) The Regional Geriatric Program of Toronto provides targeted information for seniors who want to stay active while at home using the Stretch Lift or Tap (SLoT) method.  Resources for Older Adults and Caregivers | Regional Geriatric Program of Toronto (rgptoronto.ca)  Additional information from the Canadian Centre for Activity and Aging, specifically their Active at Home Videos can be found here Active at Home Videos - Canadian Centre for Activity and Aging - Western University (uwo.ca).

York Region has just published its 2024 to 2027 York Region Plan to Support Seniors: Navigating Forward Together that identifies areas of priority, objectives, and actions to get there as well as the advocacy that York Region will take to enhance the health and well-being of our seniors, focusing on aging in the right place. The plan can be accessed from this link Plan to Support Seniors | York Region . Scrolling down to the Related Resources section, there is a link to the programs and services for seniors that has a wide range of services to help seniors stay health, safe and independent.