Bridging the Gap: Integrating Clinical Guidelines on Social Isolation and Loneliness in Older Adults into Practice

Topic(s):

Ageing and Older Adults

Health

Mental Health and Addictions

Professional Practice

Webinar event date:

Apr 18, 2024 11:00 am EDT

Webinar link

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Webinar Presenters:

David K. Conn M.B., B.Ch.,B.A.O., FRCPC

Dr. David Conn is the Executive Vice-President of Education and Chief Academic Officer at the Baycrest Academy for Research & Education. He is a Professor in the Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto and is a Geriatric Psychiatrist at Baycrest. David is founding Co-Chair of the Canadian Coalition for Seniors' Mental Health and Past President of the Canadian Academy of Geriatric Psychiatry and Chair of the Social Isolation and Loneliness Guidelines project. His academic interests include nursing home psychiatry, telepsychiatry, guideline development and knowledge translation. He is the author or co-author of more than 100 publications and is the co-editor of three textbooks including "Practical Psychiatry in the Long-Term Care Home: A Handbook for Staff”. He has received numerous awards including the Canadian Academy of Geriatric Psychiatry Award for Outstanding Contributions to Geriatric Psychiatry in Canada and a Distinguished Service Award from the International Psychogeriatric Association.

Description

Emerging evidence shows that social factors - including social isolation, loneliness, and social vulnerability - are associated with considerable morbidity and mortality, comparable to established risk factors such as smoking, alcohol consumption, obesity, and frailty (Freedman & Nicolle, 2020). In response to this growing societal challenge, The Canadian Coalition for Seniors’ Mental Health (CCSHM) has launched the first-ever Canadian clinical guidelines for health care and social service professionals to support them in their vital professional roles working with older patients and clients. Dr. David Conn, Co-Chair of CCSMH, will be sharing highlights of the guidelines and encouraging the audience to reflect on and consider how they are already incorporating the recommendations into their practice and/or where there might be opportunities for change.