Mental Health LTC – Health Care Professionals

Clinical Guidelines

Discover the guidelines on mental health in long-term care for older adults.

For Older Adults and Care Partners

Explore ways to support mental health and well-being for yourself and loved ones.

Information for Health Care Professionals

Providing care for residents in community care homes is not always easy.  While it comes with its set of challenges such as staffing levels, aging infrastructure, and timely assessments, these obstacles can be seen as opportunities for positive change and development. Efforts to enhance staff training in recognizing and managing mental illness and challenging behaviors, along with increased access to mental health consultants, can pave the way for improved care delivery, especially in rural and remote areas. This journey toward better mental health support is filled with potential for positive transformation in the lives of those you serve in long-term care, their family members and care partners.

Discover Our Resources

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Canadian Clinical Guidelines on Behaviours in Dementia

Caring for residents and their mental health is often challenging.  CCSMH has developed best practice guidelines on the assessment and management of behaviours in dementia to support health care professionals when working with older adults in community care facilities.

Cover of the pocket guide with a lot of written text and featuring an image of a three older adults smiling and embracing.

Clinician’s Pocket Card

Tool on the Assessment and Treatment of Behavioural Symptoms of Older Adults Living in Long-Term Care Facilities

Screen captur image of the CSA Group website homepage which is predominantly dark blue with a transparent image of a happy and smiling older adult woman.

Report produced by the CCSMH for the Canadian Standard Association

Supporting Mental Health and Well-Being in Community Residential Care Settings During the COVID-19 Pandemic and Beyond

This report summarizes national and international best practices and guidance for the planning, development, and implementation of services, programs, education and training, policies, and procedures on how to support the mental health and well-being of residents in community residential settings. Click to view the report.

A formal document first page which is mostly text with the CAGP and the CCSMH logos in the header.

Position paper by CCSMH and the Canadian Academy of Geriatric Psychiatry

CCSMH/CAGP Position Paper on Mental Health in Long-Term Care During COVID-19 PDF

This position paper is written in partnership with the Canadian Academy of Geriatric Psychiatry and highlights the mental health care needs of older people living in long term care (LTC) settings during COVID-19 and other viral outbreaks. The position statements in this document provide actionable strategies and priorities to minimize the impact of COVID-19 on the mental health of residents of LTC. Collectively we can learn from our actions in the past and make plans for a future that better meet the mental needs of individuals living in LTC.

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