Sleep is essential for healthy aging — and for our mental health. 💤 For older adults, good sleep does more than help us feel rested. It supports brain health, emotional well-being, and our ability to stay connected with others. #HealthyAging #SleepHealth #MentalHealthMatters #OlderAdults

C'est la Journée mondiale de sensibilisation au délire ! Le délirium survient soudainement. Voici les signes à surveiller. Le délire est une urgence médicale, il faut donc consulter immédiatement un médecin. Pour en savoir plus, cliquez ici : https://ow.ly/VZJJ50XKBAc

It's World Delirium Awareness Day! Easy to confuse with depression and dementia, delirium comes on suddenly. Here are the signs to look for. Delirium is a medical emergency so seek help immediately. You can learn more here: https://ow.ly/MWMR50XKByY

‼️Vous disposez d'un petit budget supplémentaire en cette fin d'année ? Il est encore temps de commander des ressources pour les salles d'attente et les cliniques. https://ccsmh.printreserve.com/

‼️Have a little extra year-end funding? There's still time to order supplies for waiting rooms and clinic spaces. https://ccsmh.printreserve.com/

This International Women’s Day, let’s also celebrate the strength of older women — the mothers, grandmothers, mentors, caregivers, and community builders who continue to shape our lives and communities. 💜 #InternationalWomensDay #IWD #HealthyAging #MentalHealthMatters #OlderAdults #CommunityCare

Cognitive reserve...what is it? A study found that people who spent more of their lives learning or doing mentally challenging work tend to lose memory more slowly, even if they start developing dementia-related problems. Keep your brain working doing challenging things! https://ow.ly/6Y5X50YpW53

Is it Apathy or is it Depression? The Canadian Consortium on Neurodegeneration in Aging has produced this very handy short guide that describes the difference. You can get the PDF here: https://ccna-ccnv.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Difference-between-apathy-and-depression-1.pdf

Celebrating Sleep Awareness Week (March 8–14), join Dalhousie University’s Sleepwell team for a free national webinar on sleep solutions for midlife and menopause." March 10 at 3:30 p.m. (PT), 6:30 p.m. (ET) and 8 p.m. (NT). Learn more and register here: https://ow.ly/rkrU50YnjIF

Anyone who has cared for someone living with dementia knows that feeling of isolation. "More friends equaled less loneliness" and interactions with non-close friends were very beneficial too! https://newatlas.com/health-wellbeing/friendship-fights-dementia-caregiver-isolation/

Our latest newsletter has just been released. Learn about : ~ new resources on financial fraud and the mental health of older adults ~ "spotlight" on practice change for social isolation and loneliness in older adults https://ow.ly/fcHY50Yn3e5

Wandering can be common in conditions like Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia, but there are steps you can take to keep your loved one safe. Check out these resources: https://ow.ly/XIQu50YmIGc https://ow.ly/AS6550YmIGf

We all have moments where life feels a bit overwhelming. This is a reminder to take a minute or two to pause and take a deep breath...or two. If you're wondering if the anxiety you feel is too much, check out our resources to learn more about what you can do. https://ow.ly/m7C650YmGh2

When guidelines came out two years ago on behaviours in dementia, a cheat sheet was created for older adults and their care partners. Have you seen it? Check it out 👇 Or get it online here: https://ow.ly/VUaM50YlFWf

I-GeMH 💎February Session WHEN: Friday, February 27, 2026 | 8 - 9 a.m. ET TOPIC: Hearts and Minds: Physical and Brain Health in Older Adults with ADHD SPEAKER: Brandy Callahan, PhD, RPsych 👉 To register: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/vAteZfTrQ36ocCMEzC0e-A#/registration

💎 Vidéoconférences gériatriques internationales sur la santé mentale (I-GeMH) Mardi 10 mars 2026 De 11 h à 12 h (heure normale de l’Est – HNE) SUJET: L’aide active à mourir en France: frontières éthiques, règlementations actuelles et perspectives européennes 👉 S'INSCRIRE https://ow.ly/WJRu50YfnL6

We have brochures addressing the prevention of suicide in older adults available in several languages. You can find electronic copies here: https://ow.ly/RLOQ50Yh6P6 We have MANY English and French brochures available for order in our digital store: https://ow.ly/rJzk50Yh6P7

🔎 Have you seen it? BSO's "Meaningful Engagement Resource Guide: Evidence-based activities for older adults...a practical, person-centred resource designed to support healthcare teams, family care partners, and others who care for and/or support older adults." https://ow.ly/ZTZO50Yfp5k

The CCSMH was active in many ways in 2025. Here's a snapshot of how people engaged with us and our resources. We're looking forward to new work in the areas of long-term care, recovering from critical events and climate change. To learn more about the CCSMH, visit https://ow.ly/mgo650Yev6k

Our hearts and thoughts are with the residents of Tumbler Ridge. 🫂💜

In a Psychology Today article, a study looking at how self-stigma interferes with recovery from major depressive disorder was discussed. Self-stigma is NOT your friend! Not sure about therapy? Check out our info sheet on Therapy 101 https://ow.ly/IWot50Yawle Article: https://ow.ly/5w3R50Yawlf

Attention clinicians! Do you have patients asking about the medical use of cannabis? Check out these infographics that are part of our Cannabis and Older Adults Clinician Toolkit. https://ow.ly/4W7x50Yax6T

À l'attention des cliniciens ! Avez-vous des patients qui vous posent des questions sur l'usage médical du cannabis ? Consultez ces infographies qui font partie de notre trousse à outils pour les cliniciens sur le cannabis et les personnes âinées. https://ow.ly/r9Nr50YaxOQ

This article from Open Access Government talks about loneliness and solitude from a philosophical point of view. Article: https://ow.ly/NxpY50YavJ9 To learn more about social isolation and loneliness and what the CCSMH is doing, visit: https://ow.ly/uicv50YavJ8

I-GeMH 💎February Session WHEN: Friday, February 27, 2026 | 8 - 9 a.m. ET TOPIC: Hearts and Minds: Physical and Brain Health in Older Adults with ADHD SPEAKER: Brandy Callahan, PhD, RPsych 👉 To register: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/vAteZfTrQ36ocCMEzC0e-A#/registration

It's International Frozen Yogurt Day! Why not grab a tasty treat and take a few minutes to read our latest newsletter? https://ow.ly/uH7l50Y913F

Executive Director, Claire Checkland joins other members of the Elder Justice Coalition on Parliament Hill to speak with MPs, senators, and staff about Bill C-16 regarding coercive control. Learn more here: https://www.dementiajustice.ca/coercive-control.html

Alcohol, Cannabis, Benzodiazepines and Opioids | l'alcool, cannabis, benzodiazépines et opioïdes Resources for older adults are available here: https://ow.ly/wLKR50Y7NHv Les ressources pour les personnes âinées se trouvent ici : https://ow.ly/JcEA50Y7NHw

The Regional Geriatric Program of Toronto has a free set of learning modules on Addressing Responsive Behaviours in Hospital created for hospital staff who care for people living with dementia. Learn more here: https://rgptoronto.ca/resource/responsive-behaviours-in-hospital-learning/

💎 I-GeMH: Mardi 10 février 2026 | De 11 h à 12 h (HNE) SUJET: Le dépistage précoce : les bons outils, les bonnes conclusions! 👉 S'INSCRIRE: https://ow.ly/SJgw50Y56b7 Cette activité d’apprentissage est réservée aux clinicien(ne)s, aux étudiant(e)s et aux chercheur(e)s dans le domaine de la santé

Dr. Max Hartt from Queen's University studies the value of aging playfully and how we can design our communities to encourage play. He says play is about expressing yourself and experiencing freedom. Want to learn more? Visit https://agingplayfully.ca/about/.

There is still time to register for the Geriatric Psychiatry Online Course (GPOC) offered by the Canadian Academy of Geriatric Psychiatry (CAGP). Take the full course or build your own. Find all the details here: https://www.cagp.ca/page-1841864

We've just reprinted more of our Behaviours in Dementia Toolkit postcards promoting www.behavioursindementia.ca. They're ideal for distributing to people living with dementia and their care partners. Contact us if you would like to replenish your stock or to order them for the first time.

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.