Date: Thursday, September 10, 2020
Time: 12:00--1:00pm
Register now
Social connection is important for older adults' physical health, mental health and overall quality of life. Yet with COVID-19 and the physical distancing measures in place, older adults are more likely to experience social isolation.
This webinar provides an overview of the evidence for the importance of social connection in later life for health and social service providers who work with older adults. It presents a cognitive-behavioural model that shifts the way older adults think of connection and outlines coping strategies and tools, such as the "Connections Plan", for preventing or managing loneliness during periods of isolation. Participants will also have the opportunity to ask Dr. Van Orden questions related to their work.
About the presenter
Dr. Kimberly Van Orden is a clinical psychologist and Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Rochester Medical Center. She is the Principal Investigator of the HOPE Lab (Helping Older People Engage) and Co-Director of the Rochester Roybal Center for Social Ties and Aging. Her lab conducts randomized trials of suicide prevention interventions to promote social engagement and healthy aging. Her research has been funded by the National Institute of Mental Health, the National Institute on Aging, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Kim mentors students and fellows, co-directs an NIH-funded research fellowship in suicide prevention, and maintains an active clinical practice providing evidence-based psychotherapy to older adults.
About Understanding Mental Health and Well-Being in Later Life
The Understanding Mental Health and Well-Being in Later Life workshop series is an evidence based standardized mental health curriculum for older adults aged 65+. The workshop series aims to raise awareness about mental illness and addiction issues among older adults in Ontario and promotes help-seeking behaviours. If you are interested in supporting, facilitating and/or hosting the workshops in your community, please visit our Initiative Page.
The workshop series was developed by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), with funding from the Ontario Ministry for Seniors and Accessibility.
Additional resources
For more information on social connection in later life, view our resource Strategies for social connection among isolated older adults (EN or FR PDF).
If you're interested in similar events or resources, join the Understanding Mental Health and Well-Being in Later Life Community of Interest (CoI). The CoI is a dedicated space for service providers working with older adults to connect with other health service providers and share best practices and resources.