The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

Staying engaged — mental wellness for seniors By Liz Bruckner There's no denying that social isolation has a number of detrimental impacts on the psycho- logical and cognitive health of seniors. Research shows that one in four seniors in Canada live with amental health problem or illness such as anxiety, depression or dementia, and 10 to 15 per cent of those who are over age 65 and living in the com- munity are currently suffering from depression. id while the COVID-19 pandemic exacer- bated feelings of depression ands anxiety amongst many seniors - in some cases, lockdowns acceler- ated mental health disorders and caused sufferers to require professional psychological or physical care — research from the US. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that even before the arrival of the pandemic, older adults were at a uch higher risk oo social isolation and loneliness than younger age groups. “Seniors, like the rest of the general popu- lace, are hardwired for social connection to help keep them feeling mentally, physically, socially and spiritually well” says Nancy Brownsberger, a certi- fied trauma therapist and registered social service worker who’ based in Haliburton, Ont. “Our ner- vous systems are designed to be at their optimal functioning level when we are in connection with ourselves and others. Being deprived of these con- nections can cause several mental health effects, including an increase in anxiety, depression, health anxiety, addiction and isolation, which | see clini- cally ona regular basis” So, what steps can seniors take to benefit their social c and activity ie simultaneously prioritizing "thei mental well-bein , Brownsberger er ends being proactive about arranging and attending gather- ings with like-minded people to open the door to connection. “Often, in my private client work ind in my past social recreation community role for seniors in my community, simply meeting with others of like mind/interests helped us regulate our emotional reactivity and remind our nervous systems that we are safe, seen and connected; she says. 2. Take time to interact with others - whether at a bingo hall, community gathering, card club, even for tea in the meeting room of a condo or sean building. This not only helps to foster a sense of community, but research shows that yw. N ? sat JUNE 17 \ DIXIE OUTLE Tate 10:00 am -§:00 pm ENTRANCES LIFESTYLE + CARE + WELLNESS DIXIE OUTLET MALL El INTRANCE 6 PRESENTED BY Wim DIXIE SATURDAY JUNE 17 10:00 am - 5:00 pm ‘OUTLET MALL 416.797.4318 | jmerrick@metroland.com i these interactions also help protect the brain from cognitive decline. 3. Make an effort to regularly stay in touch with those who make you feel seen, safe, soothed and secure, Brownsberger says. And while in-person connections are beneficial for a variety of reasons, talking on the phone, via text, over email or through video calls are also great options for staying enc 4. Do you have interests that you ‘ove? Spend some time researching groups or activities either online or in your community where you can par- ticipate. And if you can convince a friend or family member to join you, even better! 5. If you're looking for connection but feel shy or hesitant to venture out into unfamiliar terri- tory, go online and try video conferencing or social media platforms as a way to stay socially active. (Just be sure to do so safely and ensure that privacy and safety components are in place, she says.) 6, Take advantage of connection services like A Friendly Voice (afriendlyvoice.ca), a confidential phone line designed for Ontarians ages 55 an , which can provide a great way for seniors to connect socially, enjoy a good conversation, and Step into Summer at Palermo Village More than a place to live, it’s a place to enjoy life and call home. Independent Living | Assisted Living | Short Stay and Respite YS Palermo Village RETIREMENT RESIDENCE eschew the effects of loneliness. 7. Tiptoe out of your comfort zone and try to get out to just one event that you might be inter- ested in, Brownsberger says."l recommend making aplan ahead of time to do so gently. For example, go with a friend but plan on being there for a certain amount of time - and if you choose to stay longer, that’s great, too! Let your loved ones know where youre going | before you head out, and invite them along if it fits.” And remember: If your first few attempts at reimmersing yourself into social events feels awk- ward, keep at it, she says. “It helps to know that it can feel uncomfortable for many people, so you're not alone. We all tend to feel a little shy at first. Don't give up! all today to book your personal tour (905) 582-0395 Located at 3136 Dundas St. W., Oakville, ON PalermoVillageRetirement.com €z0z ‘SL eunr ‘Aepsuny, | Jeneeg e[AHeO | SZ woo uoyeyepisul