Adults over 60 and Individuals with Chronic Conditions

Current information suggests older people and individuals with chronic health conditions are at higher risk of developing more severe illness or complications from COVID-19. Chronic medical conditions may include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Cardiovascular diseases;
  • Hypertension;
  • Diabetes;
  • Chronic respiratory diseases;
  • Cancer;
  • Dementia;
  • Mental illnesses; and
  • Immune system compromise from a medical condition or treatment.

Protect Yourself

It is important to take preventive measures for COVID-19 to protect yourself from getting sick. These include:

  • Following public health guidance, including mask-wearing, handwashing, and maintaining physical distancing.
  • Getting vaccinated as soon as possible.
  • Limiting your in-person interactions with other people as much as possible, particularly indoors.
  • Asking someone to bring you groceries and other necessities. Ask that groceries and necessities be left outside at your door. This will reduce the risk of potential exposure to COVID-19.
  • Having at least a two-week supply of your medications on hand.
  • Keeping preventive care and other routine health care appointments with your health care provider, if possible.

If you are up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines, you can move about more. This includes increasing your social interactions, going out for groceries and other necessities, and resuming other activities you did prior to the pandemic. Make sure you maintain physical distancing, wear a mask, and wash your hands.

Prevent Social Isolation

Stay in touch with friends and family, according to current restrictions. Even in isolation, try to keep to your personal routines, and connect with others via e-mail, social media, video conference, and phone.

For seniors and individuals who support seniors, SeniorsNL is a great resource that is available throughout the province. Individuals can call 1-800-563-5599 for information or just to talk. SeniorsNL can also be contacted via email at info@seniorsnl.ca or online at http://seniorsnl.ca/.

How are you feeling?

If you feel overwhelmed and stressed, remind yourself that this is normal and will pass.

Engage in activities that you enjoy and find relaxing. Exercise regularly, within your ability. This can include going for walks outdoors while maintaining physical distancing. Keep your regular sleep routines, take breaks from social media and technology and eat healthy food.

The following mental health supports are available:

Provincial CHANNAL Warm Line

If you are isolated and feel alone, reach out and speak with a trained peer support worker. Contact the Provincial CHANNAL Warm Line:

  • 1-855-753-2560 from 9 am to 12am daily (Newfoundland standard time)

They are there to listen and help.

Provincial Mental Health Crisis Line

If you feel you are not able to cope, please contact the Provincial Mental Health Crisis Line:

  • (709) 737-4668 or 1-888-737-4668

This is a free, confidential service for anyone. It is province-wide and available 24/7.

Seeking Help

If you need help accessing food, you can find the information for a food or meal program in your community:

If you need help accessing community supports and services, you can call 211. The service is free, confidential, and available 24 hours a day in 170 different languages.

Please visit Symptoms – COVID-19 (gov.nl.ca) if you have symptoms of COVID-19.

If you test positive on a COVID-19 rapid test, please visit the Rapid Test Reporting Tool website to report your positive rapid self-test.

If you are having a medical or other emergency, call 911 or go to your nearest emergency department.

If you need regular medical care for your chronic health condition(s) contact your regular primary care provider. If you do not have a regular primary care provider, contact 811 for advice. Most primary care providers offer phone or video-based care and in-person appointments when necessary.

Community nursing is continuing for urgent and emergent cases and community health nurses are following up with clients.

Stay up to Date

Visit your regional health authority website for information on other available programs and services, and any restrictions (e.g. cancellations and closures, by appointment only services, etc.), during the COVID-19 pandemic.

For the latest information on COVID-19 in Newfoundland and Labrador, please go to www.gov.nl.ca/covid-19