COVID-19: Resources for seniors and their caregivers

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Lower your chance of getting sick

As an older adult, you’re at risk of more severe disease or outcomes from COVID-19.

Community transmission of COVID-19 continues in many areas across Canada, and variants of concern are circulating. This is why it's even more important to consistently use multiple personal preventive practices at once, even if you’re vaccinated. This is called a layered approach and it helps protect yourself and others.

Continue to take precautions like:

Learn more about:

Get vaccinated

Some restrictive public health measures may begin to gradually lift as more people are vaccinated and cases decrease in your community.

While vaccines rollout across Canada, continue to follow:

This will help protect yourself, your family and your community.

Learn more about:

What to do if you develop symptoms of COVID-19

If you develop any symptoms of COVID-19, even if mild, stay home and isolate yourself away from others. You should be tested. Call your health care provider or local public health authority for further instructions.

If you develop any of these severe symptoms, call 911 or your local emergency help line:

Let them know that you may have COVID-19.

Learn more about:

Similarities to the flu

COVID-19 and the flu can have similar symptoms. If you start to develop symptoms, follow the same precautions taken for COVID-19.

Adults over the age of 65 are at a higher risk of flu-related complications. Getting your annual flu shot is the most effective way to help protect yourself and others against seasonal flu. The flu shot will help:

You can also protect yourself and those around you from the flu and COVID-19 by following personal preventive practice.

Take care of your mental and physical health

This can be a challenging time for many reasons.

It's important to take care of your mental and physical health during the COVID-19 pandemic.

COVID-19 protection measures may increase feelings of social isolation, but you're not alone. Ask for help if you need it. Stay engaged with your community. If you need someone to talk to in confidence, reach out to:

Health tips for older adults

Financial support

We're supporting older Canadians financially by:

If you've stopped working because of COVID-19 and earn more than $5,000 annually, you're eligible for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit. It pays $2,000 each month for up to 4 months. You can earn up to $1,000 each month while collecting the benefit, but this doesn't count payments for:

Your public pensions don't change your eligibility.

If you receive Canada Pension Plan Disability (CPPD), you may be eligible for other provincial or territorial support, including COVID-19 emergency benefits.

Protect yourself from fraud and elder abuse

Events like COVID-19 can increase the risk of fraud and elder abuse.

Learn how to protect yourself from fraud:

If you're experiencing elder abuse or neglect, seek help at a time and place that's safe for you. For more information, including where to find help, visit the Canadian Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse.

For older Indigenous adults

Indigenous elders provide guidance in communities. It's important that elders remain connected to others during this pandemic while being supported and protected from the spread of COVID-19.

The following resources can help support your mental and physical needs.

General resources

First Nations resources

Inuit resources

Métis resources

For veterans

Learn more about COVID-19 information and assistance for veterans.

For caregivers

Individuals who care for older adults at home

If you provide care to an older adult at home, follow public health advice to keep yourself and others safe.

Learn more about caregiving at home:

Health care workers who care for older adults in a health or community setting

If you work with older adults in a health or community setting, follow your facility’s or workplace’s infection prevention and control protocols.

Learn more about working in health or community settings during the pandemic:

Community support

We're working with organizations and partners to provide immediate and essential services to seniors during COVID-19. Learn more about what we're doing through the New Horizons for Seniors Program.

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