When is worry too much? | Quand s’inquiète-t-on-trop? English resources for older adults: https://ow.ly/657C50Y1svH Ressources en français pour les personnes âinées https://ow.ly/juWP50Y1svG

ICYMI, you can watch ED Claire Checkland talk about seniors' mental health on The Social. (35 minute mark) https://www.ctv.ca/shows/the-social/bell-lets-talk-day-s13e88 Shout out to the great work at Sheds Canada!

Dr. David Conn, CCSMH Co-Chair and Lead of the SIL Clinical Guidelines Working Group, recently appeared on the Toronto Star podcast "How To Live To 100." He discusses social isolation and loneliness in the context of suicide. You can listen here: https://ow.ly/Kvgt50Y04et

CCSMH Executive Director, Claire Checkland will be on CTV's The Social after 2:45 p.m. ET today. She'll be talking about the mental health of older adults as part of the show's Bell Let's Talk special program. Be sure to check it out!

Any day is a good day to connect! Even a short chat can foster relationships and impact feelings of loneliness and isolation. Take some time today, and every day to talk. To learn more about addressing social isolation and loneliness read our clinical guidelines: https://ow.ly/Ka9I50Y06TF

What activities have you incorporated into your life that gives you purpose? The retirees in this Globe and Mail article have turned to volunteering, gardening, education, writing and reading. https://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/article-todays-retirees-are-proving-that-purpose-has-no-expiry-date/

How much fun is this? A group of older adults come together to create a horror movie. The short film is called "The Rug" profiled in this CBC article: www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...

For some January can be a "low" month. A reminder that we have brochures for older adults that address depression. You can check them (and other resources) out here: https://ow.ly/Z8Y850XXraL

I-GeMH 💎January 2026 Session Friday, January 23, 2026 | 8 - 9 a.m. ET What's New with the Old: An Update on Older-Age Bipolar Disorder (OABD) | SPEAKER: Martha Sajatovic, MD 👉 To register: https://ow.ly/m8N550XKzao NOTE: These rounds are restricted to health professionals.

There are many interesting initiatives focused on supporting connections among older adults. This Global story profiles a study happening in New Brunswick. https://ow.ly/KfNF50XWrK1 Here's the link to our Social Isolation and Loneliness work: https://ow.ly/GA8150XWrK2

Dick Van Dyke says his longevity is due to: 🕺Moving 🤪Playing 👉Doing new things 🤣Laughing 🫂Connecting 🎶Singing 🐶Spending time with pets/animals What's one thing on that list that you will try this year? Watch Dick Van Dyke with Chris Martin in this video--a heartwarmer. https://ow.ly/9pgw50XTBZi

Social fitness is about intentionally building meaningful interactions, and every connection counts. Research shows that stronger social connections are linked with improved immunity, faster recovery, and lower risk of premature death. (https://phys.org/news/2026-01-year-resolutions-social.html)

A recent study found that culturally-specific leisure activities was linked to higher subjective well-being. They share some great recommendations for policy and activity leaders. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12889-025-24986-1

Our final webinar in the series focuses on interventions and social prescribing. Discover best practices and practical steps to strengthen social connection in older adults. Jan 14, 2026 | 12:00–1:00 pm EST | Register here: https://ow.ly/15vT50XSyc3

💎 I-GeMH QUAND Mardi 13 janvier 2026 | De 11 h à 12 h (heure normale de l’Est – HNE) SUJET La rTMS un traitement innovant chez les personnes âgées présentant des troubles de l'humeur et/ou des troubles cognitifs ORATEUR Sylvie Pariel, MD, MSc 👉 S'INSCRIRE https://ow.ly/TKpi50XRXBY

It's the time of year when some people set new resolutions. Maybe this year, it could focus on feeding your passion/purpose? https://www.ajgponline.org/article/S1064-7481(25)00354-9/abstract

It can be a busy time of year with lots of visiting happening. Don't forget to take a little time each day to decompress...go for a walk, meditate, do some yoga, read, or work out. 💚A little "me time" now means you'll have more energy to give to others later.

📞 Happy National Call a Friend Day! 🎉 Let's celebrate the joy of friendship! Take a moment to reach out, share a laugh, or reminisce about your favorite memories together. Connection is what keeps our hearts warm! ❤️ #CallAFriendDay

Hosting a New Year's Eve gathering? 🥳 Why not have a signature "mocktail" on the menu? 🍸 Happy New Year! 🎉 If you want to learn more about alcohol use and older adults, visit: https://ow.ly/YukI50XO5cY

Our staff will be unavailable between Thurs., Dec. 25, 2025 and Thurs., Jan. 1, 2026. We hope that this time is restorative and filled with peace. Notre personnel sera indisponible entre le 25 décembre 2025 à 1er janvier 2026. Nous espérons que cette période sera réparatrice et remplie de paix.

We wish you a season of peace, light, laughter, kindness, comfort and joy! See you in 2026. Nous vous souhaitons une saison pleine de paix, de lumière, de rires, de gentillesse, de réconfort et de joie! À bientôt en 2026.

There are many older adults who find themselves alone over the holidays, whether in their own homes, in a retirement home or in a long-term care facility. You can give the gift of an hour of your time to someone just by popping by and saying hello. You don't even need to know them!

The UN General Assembly proclaims December 21st as World Meditation Day. "[M]editation can be a powerful self-care tool to support treatment and enhance overall well-being..." Even a few minutes of focused breathing can help calm our nervous systems. Why not give it a try? https://ow.ly/HxsJ50XMOje

Connaissez-vous d'autres personnes âgées qui disent que tout va bien même lorsque ce n'est pas le cas? Si vous passez les fêtes de fin d'année avec une personne âgée, vous voudrez peut-être consulter ces quatre conseils destinés aux aidants. https://ow.ly/hoSj50XKBuW

Anyone else know an older adult who says everything's fine even when it might not be? If you're spending time this holiday season with an older adult, you might want to check out these four tips for care partners. You can get this infosheet and more at: https://ow.ly/h6bg50XKBeg

When health care professionals work together, the impact on patients’ well-being can be profound. At the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, a geriatric nurse practitioner and an ophthalmologist partnered to coordinate care for older patients. https://ow.ly/Xvl950XJGg8

Il est très important de rester en contact avec nos proches. Le gouvernement fédéral a mis en place un programme visant à compenser ces coûts : L’initiative Familles branchées. Si vous ou quelqu'un de votre entourage répondez à ces critères, gardez l'œil ouvert pour cette lettre !

Staying connected with our loved ones is so important. The federal government has a program to help offset internet costs for some older adults--the Connecting Families Initiative. If you or someone you know falls into this category, keep an eye out for that letter!

Today, Elder Justice Coalition, of which the CCSMH is a member, has released a statement on Bill C-16: Protecting Victims Act. To read the full statement, visit Dementia Justice Canada's webpage: https://www.dementiajustice.ca/coercive-control.html

💎 Vidéoconférences gériatriques internationales sur la santé mentale (I-GeMH) Mardi 16 décembre 2025 De 11 h à 12 h (heure normale de l’Est – HNE) SUJET Les neurofilaments : du biomarqueur à l’outil clinique ? 👉 S'INSCRIRE https://ow.ly/QlCT50Xz7oz

Vous recevez des invités ? Tout le monde ne choisit pas forcément des boissons alcoolisées. Découvrez ces recettes ! Pour en savoir plus sur la consommation d'alcool chez les personnes âgées, rendez-vous sur: https://ow.ly/XHMN50XIx3L

✨ Le stress des fêtes ? Vous n'êtes pas seul. Le plus beau cadeau que vous puissiez vous offrir, c'est de prendre soin de vous. Essayez des habitudes apaisantes comme la respiration profonde et les promenades quotidiennes. ❤️ Vivez chaque instant. Vous méritez la paix en cette période de fêtes. ✨

✨ Holiday Stress? You’re Not Alone. The greatest gift you can give yourself is self-care. Try calming habits like deep breathing, daily walks, connecting with others, and setting gentle boundaries. ❤️ Take it one moment at a time. You deserve peace this season. ✨

🎄 Stay Safe This Holiday Season – Watch Out for Scams! 🎁 The holidays are a time for giving, but unfortunately, scammers take advantage of this season to target people—especially seniors. Keep the holidays joyful and scam-free! 💙 #HolidaySafety #FraudPrevention #StayAlert

I-GeMH 💎December Session Friday, December 12, 2025 !! NOTE the new time! 👉 12 -1 p.m. ET TOPIC: Caregiver Burden Intervention Models 👉 To register: https://ow.ly/9qUR50Xz7Fk Canadian Academy of Geriatric Psychiatry

🌍 C'est la Journée mondiale des droits de l'homme. Le thème est, « Nos besoins essentiels quotidiens », met l'accent sur la garantie de la dignité et de la sécurité pour tous. Honorons et protégeons les droits qui aident les personnes âgées à s'épanouir. ✨💙 https://ow.ly/5euU50XE5kU

🌍 Today is World Human Rights Day. This year's theme of "Our Everyday Essentials" focuses on ensuring that we all have dignity and safety. For older adults, this also means living free from ageist attitudes. Today and every day, let’s honor and protect the rights that help older adults thrive. ✨💙

The CSA Group is developing new standards on "Dementia-Inclusive Home and Community Care." They are under public review until January 16, 2026. You can learn more here: https://publicreview.csa.ca/Home/Details/5866

Entertaining? Not everyone is choosing alcoholic drinks. Why not have a few fun non-alcoholic beverages available...here's some inspiration. If you want to learn more about alcohol use and older adults, visit: https://ccsmh.ca/areas-of-focus/alcohol-use/older-adults-care-partners/

Bien que la boîte à outils Behavious in Dementia contienne principalement du contenu en anglais, certaines ressources clés sont disponibles en français. Vous pouvez en découvrir 15 dans cette infographie: https://ow.ly/qge050XyNyw

Whether it's organized religion or other practices that help us connect to something "bigger" than us, our health is better for it. https://time.com/7308119/the-connection-between-spirituality-and-mental-health/

💎 Vidéoconférences gériatriques internationales sur la santé mentale (I-GeMH) Mardi 16 décembre 2025 De 11 h à 12 h (heure normale de l’Est – HNE) SUJET Les neurofilaments : du biomarqueur à l’outil clinique ? 👉 S'INSCRIRE https://ow.ly/QlCT50Xz7oz

Buddy Up Week from the Centre for Suicide Prevention started yesterday...the theme is "Build Up: Work on a Project." Find out more here: www.buddyup.ca/the-buddy-up...

I-GeMH 💎December Session Friday, December 12, 2025 !! NOTE the new time! 👉 12 -1 p.m. ET TOPIC: Caregiver Burden Intervention Models 👉 To register: https://ow.ly/9qUR50Xz7Fk Canadian Academy of Geriatric Psychiatry

This infographic from the Behaviours in Dementia Toolkit provides a curated list of resources you might find helpful in supporting older Indigenous Peoples living with dementia. https://ow.ly/XjkU50XyJ0T

A recent study found that music, even without lyrics, inspired people to imagine social connections. You can read more about it here: https://neurosciencenews.com/music-social-imagination-29641/

Want to increase your knowledge about social isolation and loneliness in older adults? CCSMH has produced 3 videos based on our Canadian Clinical Guidelines. Check out our playlist on Youtube to learn more. https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLUcPFNMpOHs45wyb1iGpcdd62orTtSCfM&si=lqxvNICrknNHquP-

Genwell' s 'Talk to a Stranger" week is underway! Not sure where or how to get started? This article from this recent Cambridge University Press talks about the barriers to talking with strangers and suggests strategies to overcome them: https://ow.ly/f1hT50XyEIz

GeriMedRisk Geriatric Clinical Pharmacology Rounds TITLE: Beyond Antipsychotic Prescribing: Rethinking Priorities in Quality of Dementia Care WHEN: Tuesday, December 2, 2025 | 12:00 - 1:00 PM EST PRESENTER: Dr. Julia Kirkham Register here: https://ow.ly/oTba50XvPit

Our clinical guidelines on anxiety have two specific recommendations (#6, #23) on treating anxiety around the fear of falling. https://ccsmh.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/DIGITAL-ENG-CCSMH-Anxiety-Clinical-Guidelines-3-25.pdf