DMHSOAP staff at a meeting in Kenora, ON 2024
By: Camille Quenneville, CEO, Canadian Mental Health Association, Ontario
Mental health and addiction challenges remain a primary concern for Ontario's aging population, especially for those with complex care needs. Fortunately, there are existing community mental health services for older adults which provide the education and supports that enable people to age well at home.
One example is the District Mental Health Services for Older Adults Program (DMHSOAP) at the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Fort Frances, which promotes physical and mental wellness as well as offers effective tools to help people manage their mental health. The program offers specialized community-based geriatric services in the Kenora and Rainy River Districts to seniors who are 60 years of age and older with dementia or other serious mental illnesses, including clinical depression, mood disorder, anxiety disorder, schizophrenia, vascular dementia and Alzheimer's disease or related dementia.
The program provides a multidisciplinary approach to providing assessment, treatment planning, interventions and follow-up to individuals and their caregivers. Members of the team are knowledgeable about issues and services relating to seniors in their own community.
A key part of DMHSOAP is community outreach. The program provides presentations, attends health fairs and engages in outreach opportunities. Presentations include Understanding Mental Health and Well-Being in Later Life, which educates participants on mental health, mental illness, stigma, loneliness, addictions and staying well. Along with serving as early intervention tools by increasing awareness and education, promoting resources and reducing stigma, these presentations foster a sense of community, helping seniors connect with others and reduce feelings of isolation.
Rebecca Vallee presenting the workshop “Understanding Anxiety in Later Life" in Red Lake, ON.
Programs like DMHSOAP can be easily scaled and replicated across the province to increase access in local communities for older adults. Overall, they play a vital role in enhancing the overall well-being and quality of life for seniors.