Vulnerable populations

Refer to the Canadian Coalition for Seniors' Mental Health (CCSMH) for client and staff resources:

• Alcohol use disorder among older adults
• Cannabis use disorder among older adults
• Suicide risk and prevention of suicide
• Psychosis symptoms and what to do
• Steps for working with delusions
• Homeless at risk Assisted Living suites
  These suites are for individuals who are homeless or marginally housed, have low income as well as chronic illness and physical care needs. Please contact local home health office to discuss suitability criteria for this program.

Social prescribing

Social prescribing evolved from the Fraser Health Community Action and Resources Empowering Seniors (CARES) project. CARES is based on research evidence, which shows frailty in older adults, particularly those with chronic health conditions, can be delayed and potentially prevented.

Social prescribing is a free program, provided through the United Way, which connects older adults to a range of local and non-clinical services including social and physical activities, and emotional support.

Resources:

• Social prescribing referral guide for staff
  • Please help print off and distribute them in the office, bulletin or binder area for easy access.
• Social prescribing referral form
• Social prescribing key messages
• Social prescribing short presentation slides
• Social prescribing info card
  
  • Please provide these to patients, clients or families to take home after verbal discussion about social prescribing.
• 211 pamphlet
  
  • Please provide these to any patients, clients or families (not just older adults) if they wish to connect with community resources themselves, without needing social prescribing.
• Social prescribing poster
• 211 poster
  
  • We encourage you to share these poster resources in community hotspots, outside of units to raise public awareness.

Opioid use disorder

If your population is assessed as at-risk for opioid use disorder, it is recommended that all staff need to be able to recognize signs and symptoms of an opioid overdose.

• Opioid use disorder among older adults
• Toward the Heart is part of the BC Centre for Disease Control. It provides a range of resources related to harm reduction, strategies to keep people safe and minimize death, disease and injury from high risk behaviour. It features, for example, information on staying safe, naloxone programs and training, preventing overdoses and resources in B.C. communities.