Resources

At IPA, sharing resources and advancing the body of knowledge in the field of older adult mental health are fundamental to our mission. In this section we'll highlight opportunities for mental health professionals to further their learning or make contributions to the field. Please check back often as we continue to grow these Resources:

ILC Canada's Written Statement for the UN OEWG 11th Session on Ageing

On 1 April 2021 ILC Canada released this message in response to the 11th United Nations (UN) Open-Ended Working Group (OEWG) on Ageing held 29 March-1 April 2021.

Living with the Times, A Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Toolkit for Older Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Shared from the United Nations (UN) Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC)

Published on 15 March 2021, this toolkit includes

• Illustrated posters for use with older adults to discuss mental health and well-being
• Instructions for facilitators on how to use for guided conversations
• Background on production of materials and printing guidance

Reprint/ use of work information directly from the IASC:

Translations, accessible formats and adaptations
Please contact the IASC Reference Group on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (mhpss.refgroup@gmail.com) for the coordination of translations and preferred formats. All completed translations and versions will be posted on the IASC MHPSS RG website.

If you create a translation or an adaptation of this work, kindly note that:

• You are not allowed to add your logo (or that of a funding agency) to the product.
• In case of adaptation (i.e. changes to the text or images), the use of the IASC logo is not permitted
• In any use of this work, there should be no suggestion that IASC endorses any specific organization, product or service.
• You should add the following disclaimer, in the language of the translation: “This translation/adaptation was not created by the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC). The IASC is not responsible for the content or accuracy of this translation. The original English edition ‘Inter-Agency Standing Committee: Living with the Times: a mental health and psychosocial support toolkit for older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic’ shall be the binding and authentic edition.”

Download the full toolkit here.

LEAF: Life Enhancing Activities for Family Caregivers
From our friends at Splaine Consulting, we share the following:

"Caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer’s disease already endure immense stress from providing care and support to a loved one, often while working and juggling multiple demands, many of which have been complicated by COVID-19. However, caregivers who pay attention to their own physical and emotional health are better able to handle the challenges of supporting their loved ones with Alzheimer’s disease. Recognizing this need, researchers at UCSF [University California- San Francisco] and Northwestern University are testing an online intervention designed to help family caregivers cope with the stressors of caregiving. The National Institute of Aging funded study consists of six positive emotion building sessions delivered online through videoconferencing with a trained facilitator or through a self-guided course. Caregivers will receive a tablet to participate from anywhere in the USA and will be given the flexibility with their schedules to complete the study."

You can learn more about the LEAF Study at the UCSF website here.

Think Tank on Hearing in Later Life- Statement of Intent
From our partners with the International Federation on Ageing (IFA), we share the following:

"On 9-10 November 2020, the International Federation on Ageing (IFA) and the International Collegium on Rehabilitative Audiology (ICRA) convened the Think Tank on Hearing in Later Life, gathering a group of inspiring and thoughtful leaders from across the fields of audiology, otolaryngology, psychology, dementia research, geriatric medicine, gerontology, academic, public health, government, industry, and NGOs. This statement of intent outlines why the Think Tank resolved to put in place a roadmap to build momentum and partnerships across sectors and represents a shared commitment to raising awareness of the importance of hearing care and treatment of hearing loss for older adults."

You can download the full PDF Statement including Key Action Areas, Delegates and References here.

COVID-19 Resources
IPA has compiled a number of resources and articles on COVID-19, mental health and the impact on the elderly population. These include links to:

• International Resources
• IPA Members (quoted or authored articles)
• National Organizations
• Research Collections
• Published Papers

We continue to add to these regularly with updated information, papers, links and more. Members are encouraged to share their works as well by emailing the IPA Secretariat.

MoreThanMemoryLoss.com

On 19 February 2021, in conjunction with National Caregivers' Day in the United States, Acadia Pharmaceuticals Inc. officially launched MoreThanMemoryLoss.com, a new educational resource for caregivers and people living with dementia-related hallucinations and delusions.
Available on the website are a downloadable fact sheet as well as a 'doctor discussion guide'.

World Alliance of Crisis Helplines (WACH)
This world-wide network was created to:

• Improve access for people in distress to emotional support services
• Maximise impact of value of emotional support services through advocacy
• Increase information exchange, best practice and networking between members
• Offer training to promote the awareness of emotional health and suicide prevention
• Share information material
• Make joint presentations at international events
• Cooperate with other organisations that share the same concerns

Member organizations of WACH created the "Preventing Suicide - a resource for establishing a Crisis Line" handbook which was published by the World Health Organization in 2019. You can download an English version of the PDF here.

^Information above was gathered from IFOTES (International Federation of Telephone Emergency Services). IFOTES is a founding member of WACH.

Time for a UN convention on the rights of older people
Presented in partnership from the International Federation on Ageing (IFA) and The Global Alliance for the Rights of Older People (GAROP) are the following webinars, moderated by current GAROP Chair [and IPA Board member] Dr. Kiran Rabheru:

• 25 February: Are you ready for the 11th session of the Open-Ended Working Group on Ageing?
  Click to learn more and register
• 3 February: Time for a UN convention on the rights of older people!
  Click to see more information including a link to the recorded program

New Resources from HelpAge International - including a downloadable toolkit "It's about rights" available in English, Spanish and Russian.

Learn more about the #ItsAboutRights campaign and additional materials available here.
 

UN Call for Input: Deadline 22 March 2021

• Report on the causes, manifestations and prevalence of ageism and age discrimination
• Report on the intersection between ageing and gender and the specific human rights concerns and challenges faced by older women

Click to see more, including links to the full posts by the United Nations Office of the High Commission. Submissions are welcome in English, French and Spanish.

Baycrest International Behavioural Neurology Videoconference Rounds

Click to learn more about these virtual rounds, held via Zoom. and hosted by Baycrest in Toronto, Canada. You can also learn more about Baycrest's full e-Learning programs here.

CCSMH Clinical Guidelines: Substance Use and Addiction

Shared with permission from our friends at the Canadian Coalition for Seniors’ Mental Health (CCSMH), the following resources address older adult substance abuse and addiction:

• Alcohol Use Disorder Among Older Adults
• Benzodiazepine Use Disorder Among Older Adults
• Cannabis Use Disorder Among Older Adults
• Opioid Use Disorder Among Older Adults

See original post with individual links here.