COVID-19

Supporting Families during COVID-19

Maintaining mental health, wellness and parenting during coronavirus. 

 

It’s a big task for parents to balance work, childcare, self-care and all the worries related to this pandemic.

Here are some tips to help you and your family get through the trying times.

Getting and staying active

Exercise positive thinking

Stay calm and mental health self care

Supporting children’s academic work at home

Special Needs

Practice positive reinforcement

Dealing with children’s boredom

How to talk to children about Coronavirus 19 pandemic

Our Seniors are Valuable – Let’s Take Special Care of them During the COVID-19 Pandemic

This global pandemic is a Public Health emergency and as the numbers of confirmed cases increased in Canada, US and around the world there are increased concerns about our elders who are most vulnerable, especially those with health issues. Here are some helpful practical tips to ensure safety for our elders.

  • Washing hands frequently: Children, grandchildren, relatives and friends and elders must ensure to wash your hands frequently.
  • Drinking water: Make sure that elders have enough drinking water, it helps maintain a strong immune system so constantly remind elders to drink water.
  • Medication supply: Given the uncertainty and closure of places it is good to stock up on medications to avoid running out, you can get doctors to approve 2-3 months of medication supply.
  • Store-up on basic items: Torch, hearing aid batteries, bandages, antacids, stool softeners etc., are items that are useful to keep in storage.
  • Cleaning home as often as possible: Disinfecting areas such as frequently touched objects and surfaces like doorknobs, remote controls, phones, computers, mobile devices as often as possible is a prevention measure for the virus as well as other viral respiratory illnesses.
  • Social/physical distance: For seniors and other people at risk e.g., pregnant women, people with pre-existing conditions must avoid public transportation, and maintain distant contact with others.
  • Nutritious meals: Avoiding foods with a high sodium which affects kidneys and heart should be practice. Use foods rich in magnesium, protein and healthy fats.
  • Keep close contact: Monitor seniors, talk to them often and find out about any new symptoms or concerns they are experiencing. Some seniors try to avoid being a burden to others and may be reluctant to talk about new symptoms. Seniors don’t be afraid to talk about it and caregivers be alert and vigilant to enquire.
  •  If seniors or family members have access to pets and they are not allergic, encourage and provide opportunities for seniors to cuddle the pet. Studies show that bonding with pets especially at emotionally trying times boosts oxytocin levels which provides many health benefits such as decreasing blood pressure and heart rate to boost immune functions and raise tolerance to pain, lower stress, anger and depression.
  • Symptoms: If seniors experience coughing fever, or shortness of breath it is important to get medical help immediately. Remember time is the essence for medical intervention to seniors.

For more information consult

– Québec Self-Care Guide to COVID-19: Family Information on COVID-19

– Québec Government’s Frequently Asked Questions: FAQs.

You may also consult the status of municipal sites and services in the Borough of LaSalle in relation to the COVID-19 situation: Borough LaSalle.

Stay tuned for more helpful tips from the LaSalle Multicultural Resource Center to help you get through these trying times safely!

LMRC Emergency Services Provisions

Due to the growing demands this COVID-19 pandemic created, LaSalle Multicultural Resource Center will continue to receive and respond to all of your calls to ensure families receive emergency food, sanitary, supplies, medications, telephone support and counselling. LMRC is planning to expand support services, so please stay tuned for updates. We also welcome volunteers for tasks such as remotely answering calls, providing counselling, coping strategies for stability from stress related issues in families, especially those in marginalized, isolated situations, new immigrants and refugees, helping to disseminate correct information about the pandemic and ensuring compliance with regulations, check-in calls to seniors and to those with Mental Health issues, parents with a special needs or sick child, caregivers of spouses, arranging orders and deliveries of essential items to this vulnerable population at this stressful time.