Lesley, a senior living alone, has a history of depression, anxiety and obesity. She had attended a number of RDPCN group programs including Sleep, Happiness Basics and Health Basics and has regular appointments with the psychologist who suggested the Family Nurse could provide her with general support. Lesley had regular visits with the family nurse prior to Covid. Once Covid hit, Lesley felt isolated, lonely, depressed, anxious and sometimes angry. She was no longer exercising or eating heathy and her weight was increasing. Lesley had achieved a 30-pound weight loss, so she did not want to gain it all back. At this point she and the family nurse agreed on weekly phone calls.

The nurse connected her to the Zoom program from an Edmonton PCN titled Senior Centre without Walls. They offered 4 one-hour programs per day and Lesley connected to all of these and found them incredibly helpful. She was part of a group and had something to look forward to each day. Prior to Covid, Lesley enjoyed the interaction with people by volunteering at the library but with the library shut down, that had disappeared. The nurse helped her to dust off and use all of the tools she gained from previous programs and put them back in use- grocery shopping strategies, mindfulness, and gratitude for all she has for example. Other soothing strategies she uses includes hugging yourself and tapping your fingers on your own shoulders. They also chatted about motivation and Lesley said that really helped her to refocus on her overall goal of maintaining health and independence. She started to exercise again and found being outside helped her mood. She could nod at people from afar and enjoy nature. She now enjoys each day and rarely gets wrapped up in what is to come. She has significantly decreased the time she watches the news. She is back to using the food and activity log and slowly losing weight. And she is back to volunteering and really happy to be back at the library.

Lesley is very thankful for the support of the family nurse and their regular calls have moved to monthly as Lesley feels she has a much healthier perspective and is coping better. She is concerned about the winter but knows with the tools she has learned and uses, that she will get through.

To learn more about the RDPCN programs, visit www.reddeerpcn.com

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