December 6, 2021
Alberta Health Services’ Talk On program began early in the COVID-19 pandemic. Offered online via Zoom, it connects seniors to others in the Fort McMurray region, as well as to community healthcare experts and local agencies. Photo supplied.
Story by Logan Clow
Chris Diprose is one of many seniors who have benefited from the Talk On program offered across the region by Alberta Health Services (AHS).
The free program launched in early 2020, shortly after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Offered online via Zoom, it connects seniors to one another, as well as to community healthcare experts and local agencies.
“Since COVID-19 began, my wife and I have limited our trips out of the house,” says Diprose, 70, who has participated in the program since it began. “We only go out to get groceries early in the morning when we need to, but beyond that, we’ve really tried to isolate ourselves and limit our socializing.
“This program has become very important to me over the last year. It’s a great way to connect with other seniors in the community and stay in touch. I’ve made many friends through it. Everyone is open about the issues and questions they have, and we talk through it. It’s nice to know that you’re not the only one experiencing a similar issue, or who has the same question.”
Talk On meetings are offered bi-weekly on Mondays from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. and usually include three co-facilitators, as well as 6-12 participants.
Tammy O’Quinn, an AHS Mental Health promotion facilitator in Fort McMurray, co-leads the meetings, along with a representative from the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo and Fort McMurray Alzheimer’s Society. O’Quinn started the program with Carolyn Evancio, an AHS Health Promotion facilitator in Fort McMurray.
“Before the COVID-19 pandemic, we had been thinking about how we could further connect with our community seniors,” says O’Quinn. “We wanted a platform where we could offer a forum to seniors to answer their health-related questions, connect them to other community seniors, and connect them to community services and agencies.
“After the pandemic was declared and provincial public health restrictions were implemented, we knew it was important to proceed in offering a virtual forum to community seniors. We recognized the pandemic and public health restrictions may present some mental health challenges for seniors in our community.”
Shortly after Talk On began, some participants were impacted when downtown Fort McMurray flooded in April 2020.
“Early on, Talk On was really about providing participants with COVID-19 updates and information from reputable sources, so they had accurate information. It was also a place where participants could share their feelings and concerns about the flooding in the downtown area,” adds O’Quinn.
“Our goal is to provide seniors a forum for where they can have conversations in a safe and supportive environment. Talk On discussions vary. It may be something like what the senior participants are reading, how they’re feeling physically or mentally, or how their garden is coming along. Each facilitator also provides information to participants from their program or service areas.”
Diprose says through Talk On, he learned how and where to go to get his COVID-19 vaccine in Fort McMurray. He also got help in mailing in his ballot for the community’s municipal election.
“The meeting atmosphere is so great. I’m never looking at my clock and thinking, ‘oh boy, this workshop isn’t over for another 20 minutes’,” Diprose adds. “Personally, it’s been tough for me over the last few years mentally, and the meetings really bring me joy. It’s great being able to share how I’m feeling — and having people there to support and help me if I need it.”
O’Quinn says the program has exceeded her expectations — and the feedback from participants has been overwhelmingly positive.
“We hoped the program would provide some comfort to seniors who were isolated in their homes for a few months during the pandemic, and I think it certainly has,” she says.
“Our senior participants are not ashamed to say ‘I’m lonely this week’ because everyone is there to support each other. There’s some really amazing conversations, and it’s so great for everybody’s mental health to establish connections with others.”
Registration for the program is free and open to all seniors in the Fort McMurray region. For more information, or to register, please contact O’Quinn at 780-793-8360 or email tammy.o'quinn@albertahealthservices.ca.
