CARP

C.A.R.P. applauds the new law in Nova Scotia allowing spouses to be placed together in long-term care facilities. Senior couples who require care should not have to face being separated. https://atlantic.ctvnews.ca/new-law-prevents-n-s-couples-fr

C.A.R.P. Sudbury says the time for a bubble for northern Ontario is now. We must protect our communities from #COVID variants. https://northernontario.ctvnews.ca/northern-ontario-bubble-

High-risk groups are being left behind in Canada’s vaccination rollout while lower-risk individuals, including health-care PR executives and young hospital employees on leave, are receiving doses. In Ontario, seniors who don’t live in long-term care or retirement homes, won’t start getting shots until March. C.A.R.P. says provinces shouldn’t be permitted to stray from the federal guidelines. https://www.ctvnews.ca//vulnerable-and-forgotten-some-seni

C.A.R.P. says the proposed class-action lawsuit against the Barrie long-term care home Roberta Place could have been avoided if the inspections had been done before. All but one residents have tested positive for #COVID19. More than 50 have died. #onpoli https://zoomerradio.ca//barrie-long-term-care-home-target/

The elderly, who are more at risk of severe complications from #COVID19, continue to struggle in complete isolation during this pandemic. C.A.R.P. believes that unclear communication from the government and mismanagement of Ontario’s vaccination rollout plan has fostered mistrust in the system, among already-nervous seniors. https://www.cp24.com//the-end-of-hugs-how-the-covid-19-pan

We recently shared this story about the impact isolation is having on seniors: https://www.macleans.ca//seniors-covid-19-loneliness-lon/ We want to draw special attention to CARP Nova Scotia Board Member Reverend Dianne Parker, who appears in the article (Photograph by Aaron McKenzie Fraser):... Like 92% of Canadians older than 65, Dianne lives in the community, in a duplex tucked into a Halifax cul-de-sac. She is 74 and widowed, a rector who has spent more than a half-century working with the public. Though she’d retired as head of her parish, she was still providing pastoral care to the ill and dying and performing weddings, funerals and worship services when the pandemic began. Once COVID-19 landed within Canada’s borders, she self-isolated. She cancelled a flight to Calgary to visit her grandchildren and relied on neighbours for groceries. Heeding the health rules of the province, she shifted worship services onto Facebook and YouTube. She went 103 consecutive days without visiting another human beinga shock for someone accustomed to holding hands and offering embraces to countless people in a week. I am a person of a presence and a person of hugs, she says. She was lonely, especially at night. Parker (left) added a lower level to her front porch to allow for socially distanced visits and safe baking exchanges. Using a long stick that she calls her happy stick, she passed gifts and homemade baked goods to her neighbours. In partnership with one of them, she purchased a beehive and is raising bees. My neighbour is the drone. He’s done all the work, and I’m the queen, she laughs. A two-time cancer survivor, Parker is concerned about COVID-19, especially as students return to Nova Scotia for university. For now, she’s performing outdoor weddings and funeral services in personalbeit for a handful of attendees. Being adaptable is the only option, she says. We have to reframe how we do things and look after each other.

Ontario is the only province with a Minister of Long-term Care. So why are our nursing homes in shambles? C.A.R.P. says it's time to shake things up. Sign our petition to remove the Minister from Office!... https://www.carp.ca/on-ltc-minister-resign/

Read the latest letter from our fearless leader, Bill! "Actions speak louder than words (and the words can be deafening)" https://www.carp.ca/advocacy-priorities/#cpo_letter

Want to join a virtual conversation on Nov 17th about improving cancer care in Canada, featuring federal MP's, survivors and medical experts? Register now: bit.ly/iPoliticsCancer ... This is sure to be an engaging event!

Belgium is being blasted for abandoning their seniors during the pandemic. But is Canada doing that much better?

As Canada's largest advocate for seniors, we 'Remember' older people every day. Unfortunately, the same can't be said for the political powers that be and society as a whole. Today they join us in thinking about the people who helped build and protect our country.

When does trading freedom for safety become too much to bear (especially as the winter months set in)? https://www.macleans.ca//seniors-covid-19-loneliness-long/

This has been a very tough year for everyone, especially older people who may be feeling isolated or unsafe. Have you noticed a change in your mental health during the pandemic? Make your voice heard by taking this survey. Your answers will inform our advocacy on this important issue.... https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/YZTLK2D

Oct 29th is World Stroke Day. Join CARP, March Of Dimes Canada and Urban Poling / Nordic Walking Community for webinar on Active Exercise for Stroke Rehab #WorldStrokeDay For More Info and To Register: https://urbanpoling.com/active-living-options-for-stroke-r/

In Manitoba and trying to figure out where to get your flu shot? This innovative new tool makes it easy! Why can't all provinces do this???... https://www.gov.mb.ca/health/flu/finder.html

Came across this free 30 minute online course on how to prevent dementia from McMaster University. If you have a few minutes, check it out and let us know what you think! https://www.mcmasteroptimalaging.org//how-to-promote-brain

This pandemic has been hard for all of us. If you're a caregiver for an older person, you're juggling your own mental health along with their's (that's a lot of balls in the air for one person!) Here are some helpful tips to help you manage in the coming months. Mental Health Commission of Canada Commission de la santé mentale du Canada

Does anyone have any nice stories to share about this holiday long weekend?

Well, it's going to be an unusual Thanksgiving. We hope you enjoy it the best you can and connect safely with the whole family! Here's a special message, from our family to yours. https://www.carp.ca/advocacy-priorities#cpo_letter

Long-term care complaints in ON are up 370%. If there's any silver lining here, it's that the people responsible are finally listening to the growing calls for change. Let's keep at it!... https://www.cbc.ca//patient-ombudsman-long-term-care-covid

Another phone scam going around. If it sounds even a little fishy, hang up! If you're worried it was real, just call back the people they said they were. No harm done. https://www.grandforksgazette.ca//grand-forks-man-warns-o/

Ontario is clamping down on long-term care visitation rules in high-risk parts of the province. But we know that with reduced social contact comes increased risk of mental and physical harm. What are your thoughts on the new rules restricting visits to 2 essential caregivers (and only 1 at a time)? https://globalnews.ca//family-members-now-restricted-at-on

Happening Now. Live Webinar on Flu, Shingles, Pneumonia Vaccines for Seniors. https://zoomermedia.zoom.us/s/83104178037

Free live music for seniors in care homes every week!

Older people are resilient because they've had more life experiences (including traumatic ones). This 5 minute survey, being conducted in part by McGill University, wants the 'older perspective' on traumatic/stressful experiences. Check it out and have your say!... https://www.global-psychotrauma.net/take-gps-test

Live now! #NationalSeniorsDay Event https://youtu.be/bAsZNZuD5DM

There's still time to register for today's National Seniors Day event at 1PM ET! https://www.carp.ca/2020/08/10/national-seniors-day-2020/