News Release
The Canadian Coalition for Seniors’ Mental Health is developing guidelines to support health and social service providers to recognize, assess and find ways to help address social isolation and loneliness among older adults in Canada.
We have launched a national survey asking adults who are 65 and older to share their knowledge and insights of social isolation and loneliness. In particular, we are interested in:
- Learning whether/how older adults see social isolation and loneliness as a health issue
- Gauging the awareness of older adults to address experiences of social isolation and loneliness
We would greatly appreciate it if you would complete the survey (if you are eligible) and to share it within your organizations and networks. The survey should take 5-7 minutes to complete. It has been approved by the Queen’s University Health Sciences and Affiliated Teaching Hospitals Research Ethics Board (HSREB). We would also appreciate it if you could share this message with your friends and colleagues.
The survey data will help inform the guidelines as well as how we share them. Thank you for your consideration.
Survey in English
- Your colleagues may have just the community-based service needed for your client’s discharge plans. ATRA is pleased to recognize the Active Aging Seniors private practice offered by one of our professional members. Be sure to check out all private practice service providers. See the link here in our Find a Recreation Therapist webpage.
- Finding Balance E-newsletter March 2023
New National Long-Term Care Services Standard
Invitation to Read and Share Health Standards Organization’s New National Long-Term Care Services Standard
February 2, 2023
HSO’s recently released new national Long-Term Care Services standard (CAN/HSO 21001:2023 Long-Term Care Services). The standard can be accessed at no fee here: https://healthstandards.org/standard/long-term-care-services-can-hso21001-2023-e.
What We Heard Report #3: Findings from HSO’s Public Engagement in the Development of a New National Long-Term Care Services Standard, which summarizes the feedback received from over 18,800 Canadians throughout the development of the standard. The report can be accessed here: https://longtermcarestandards.ca/engage.
What is HSO?
HSO stands for Health Standards Organization. Formed in February 2017, our goal is to unleash the power and potential of people around the world who share our passion for achieving quality health services for all. We are a registered non-profit headquartered in Ottawa, Canada.
What does that mean?
Our focus is on developing standards, assessment programs and other tools to help care providers do what they do best: save and improve lives. Recognized by the Standards Council of Canada, we are the only Standards Development Organization solely dedicated to health and social services.
Where did HSO come from?
HSO is building on the strength of nearly 60 years of experience by Accreditation Canada, Canada’s leading health care accreditation body.
- The Facility Based Continuing Care Review Final Report (2021) refers to the essential service of recreation therapy directly or indirectly throughout the 207 page report.
- Canadian Academy of Geriatric Psychiatry (2021) Canadian Guidelines on Prevention, Assessment and Treatment of Depression Among Older Adults.
- Canadian Academy of Geriatric Psychiatry (2021) Position Statement for Mental Health Care in Long-Term Care During Covid-19
- The intervention provided by Recreation Therapy staff is described as “the stuff of quality moments. Our job is to create the conditions to make enough of those moments to make a good life and a good end of life.” Dr. Carole Esterbrook, U of A, Professor, Faculty of Nursing, U of A. (May 31, 2021 Media Release 16:43 / 41:00)
- Canadian Academy of Geriatric Psychiatry (2021) Canadian Guidelines on Prevention, Assessment and Treatment of Depression Among Older Adults