Dear Resident or Family Member,

We remain committed to providing updates to our residents, families, and staff at AgeCare. As such, we are providing weekly updates to keep you all informed on what is happening at our communities and organization-wide.

1. Information and announcements – this week, we are sharing resources available to help you cope and support your mental health during this challenging time.
2. Recreation calendars as the need to stay active, intellectually stimulated, and socially connected never ends.
3. A weekly shout-out to celebrate the great work and activities happening at our AgeCare communities.

We hope these weekly updates helpful. Thank you all for your continued support.

Sincerely,

AgeCare Communications

Mental Health in Challenging Times

The COVID-19 epidemic has drastically changed the way we live, work, and connect with each other in a very short period of time. With the second wave of COVID-19 upon us, we know many people are experiencing a whole host of emotions, including anxiety, anger, sadness, and uncertainty. For many, a sense of loss or feeling like you don’t have control may be common. One set of data from the Mental Health Commission of Canada and the Conference Board of Canada found that 84% of respondents felt their mental health had worsened since the onset of COVID-19 restrictions and related stressors.

It is important to know that there are resources available to help you cope and support your mental health during these challenging times. Alberta Health Services (AHS) has a web page dedicated to COVID-19 Mental Health with resources and services available to help you or someone you know, such as:

• Taking Charge of What You Can: A COVID-19 Toolkit: We all need to find a sense of control right now. This toolkit is designed to help you focus on the parts of your life that you can take charge of and stop spending energy on the things you cannot control.
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• Virtual Mental Health Supports– Learn more about virtual mental health support, including Togetherall a free, online network that offers anonymous, peer-to-peer mental health services 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
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• Text4Hope– Free daily text messaging services, evidence-based tool that helps people identify and adjust the negative thoughts, feelings and behaviours a pandemic might be expected to provoke. To subscribe text COVID19HOPE to 393939.
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• Healthy Together– A guide to family and home life during COVID-19.
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• Mental Wellness Moment with Dr. Nicholas Mitchell– Videos on topics including how to deal with stress and talking to kids about COVID-19.

AHS are also offering FREE virtual workshops in November and December to help Albertans looking for ways to identify and manage stress.

• Transform Your Stress: The Resilience Advantage — Strategies for Managing Stress in Challenging Times
  • Part 1 – Wednesday, November 25 from 10:00 am to 11:45 am
  • Part 2 – Wednesday, December 2 from 1:30 pm to 3:15 pm
    (note that this is a continuation from concepts learned in Part 1, so completion of Part 1 is essential before taking Part 2.)
• To learn more about these virtual workshops or to register, visit: https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/news/Page15660.aspx

Remember, we are all in this together. If you or someone you know is struggling, there is help available.

Recreation Calendar

Our recreation calendars are back, and many of our regular recreational activities in the community have resumed. Residents can participate in a variety of engaging activities that enrich the mind, body and spirit, while maintaining appropriate physical distancing.

• AgeCare Columbia Recreation Calendars – November 2020
• AgeCare Glenmore Recreation Calendar – November 2020
• AgeCare Midnapore Recreation Calendar – November 2020
• AgeCare Orchard Manor Recreation Calendars – November 2020
• AgeCare Sagewood Recreation Calendars – November 2020
• AgeCare Seton Recreation Calendars – November 2020
• AgeCare Sunrise Gardens Recreation Calendars – November 2020
• AgeCare Valleyview Recreation Calendar – November 2020
• AgeCare Walden Heights Recreation Calendars – November 2020

Weekly Shout-Out

This week’s shout-out is from AgeCare Sagewood.

We would like to recognize our Care leader team Elizabeth, Maria and Jasvir. They have all been working tirelessly these past few months to ensure our residents remain safe and receive quality care. This year has been difficult with many long hours to support residents and their families, and ongoing changes to how our day to day practices look. They have gone above and beyond to see that everything is in place and we remain compliant with the CMOH orders. Thanks so much for all you guys do each and every day, it is noticed and greatly appreciated!