The Luke Sklar Mental Health Initiative Presents:
Let’s Connect: Preventing and Managing Loneliness and Depression in Older Adults
With Guest Speakers:
Dr. David Conn, MB, FRCPC, Staff Psychiatrist Baycrest Health Sciences
Fran Kleiner, MSW RSW, Senior Social Worker Adult Day Programs at Baycrest
This program is generously co-sponsored by The Luke Sklar Mental Health Initiative, Dorot (through Carole and Jay Sterling and family), and Women of Holy Blossom
Tuesday, May 6. Our event will begin in the Mishkan and run from 10:30 am to 12:00 pm
Lunch to follow in the Mishkan, 12:00 pm to 12:30 pm, (details below)
Dorot games, 12:30 pm to 3:30 pm, all registered guests are welcome to join in the Schwartz/Reisman Atrium
We are social creatures – it’s our connections to family, friends and community that help us thrive and survive. However, as we age, many of us are alone more often, which leaves us vulnerable to social isolation and loneliness – as well as related health issues like depression, cognitive decline, and more. Blessedly, there are ways to prevent and/or counteract these outcomes and maintain well-being.
In a session that’s equally valuable for older adults and their caregivers, Dr. Conn will guide us through common psychosocial issues for the elderly: family support, financial security, mental and physical health, mobility issues, death of a spouse and peers. We’ll learn how to recognize when someone is alone vs. lonely. And how symptoms of depression can be assessed, addressed and treated.
Fran Kleiner will speak to the variety of programs and resources available to help older adults find connection and community.
Please join us and feel the warmth of community as we learn together, share together, and enjoy lunch and table games after the program.
(Lunch is $15 for Temple members, $18 for non-members: payment can be made online when you register, or in cash at the event.)
For those who can’t make it in person, the event will also be livestreamed. The link to the livestream will be provided upon registration.
We’ll also record the session and make it available for anyone who’s unable to join us in person, or virtually, on the day.
Please register here (whether attending in person or online) to join us.
If you have a question you’d like addressed by Dr. Conn or Fran Kleiner during the program, in confidence, please send it in advance to: theLSMHI@gmail.com
More about Dr. Conn:
Dr. David Conn is a Staff Psychiatrist at Baycrest Health Sciences. He is a Professor in the Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, and Co-Chair of the Canadian Coalition for Seniors’ Mental Health. He is a Past President of the Canadian Academy of Geriatric Psychiatry. His academic interests include nursing home psychiatry, telepsychiatry, guideline development and knowledge translation. He’s 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”. Dr. Conn has been the recipient of several awards in recognition of his professional and academic achievements.
More about Fran Kleiner:
Fran Kleiner, MSW RSW, has been working for the past 40+ years as a senior social worker for the Adult Day Programs at Baycrest, an academic health sciences centre providing a continuum of care for older adults, all within one campus. She is an expert in individual and family counseling, group work with seniors, and is the team lead on the 10-member interdisciplinary team of the Freeman Family Day Centre. Fran is passionate about client-centred care, supporting caregivers, and giving back to the community.
