COVID-19 Resources for Patients and Families

Stay Safe: Guidance for People Who Are over 70 - Toronto Public Health 
How to practice social distancing, good hand hygiene and cough etiquette; what to do when you receive care from others, what to do when returning from travel.

How Can I Protect Seniors and at-Risk People from COVID-19? (Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre)
 Safety tips for seniors and their caregivers.

Caregiving and COVID-19: Tips for People with Vulnerable Family Members - Age Safe Canada
Tips for family caregivers on keeping an inventory of essential items, getting medications in order, staying connected, and maintaining personal safety and self-care.​

Maintaining Wellness for Older Adults and Caregivers - UCSF Department of Psychiatry
Tips for older adults living at home: how to start your day, exercise and creative projects ideas, how to connect online, how to take care of your mental health.

Things to Do while Physical Distancing  - Canadian Coalition for Seniors’ Mental Health 
Engaging, entertaining, and educational activities that you can do without leaving your home.

Activities for Older Adults during COVID-19 - Health Innovation Network
 Ideas for creative activities for seniors that can be used by Long-Term Care Homes staff. Many of the activities are dementia friendly.

Chair-Based Exercises to Do at Home - Age UK [Video]
 Easy-to-follow guided sitting exercises.

Fall Prevention Exercises - Johns Hopkins Medicine [Video] 
Fall prevention exercises that can be done at home.

Stay Active at Home - Strength and Balance Exercises for Older Adults - Chartered Society of Physiotherapy [Video]
Six simple exercises used by physiotherapists to keep muscles strong and keep us mobile as we age.

During the COVID-19 Pandemic, Should I Go to Live Elswhere or Stay in My Retirement/Assisted Living Home? - The Ottawa Hospital
 5-step decision aid that should help prepare you and your loved ones for making this important decision.

Virtual Visit Toolkit - Family Councils of Ontario
 Setting up video calls between residents and their loved ones during the COVID-19 crisis.

Thinking about Removing Your Older Loved One from Long Term Care during COVID-19? - CanAge 
A check-list of 25 important factors to consider.

Toronto Seniors Helpline
 Community support, transportation, adult day programs, crisis services, care at home, over-the-phoe counselling, caregiver resources and support.

Seniors Safety Line (SSL) – Elder Abuse Prevention Ontario)
 Safety planning and supportive counseling for older adults who are being abused or at-risk of abuse.

Friendly Neighbour Hotline – University Health Network 
Helps you pick up essentials like groceries and household items.

How to Write a Will during COVID-19 – Steps to Justice
 How to make a will, virtual witnessing.