We Care
mind & body
RIGHT CARE, RIGHT PLACE, RIGHT TIME
As Ontario's population ages the number of seniors living with
complex health issues continues to rise. Most vulnerable are those
who struggle with the difficult behaviours – agitation, aggression
and wandering, for example – that may result from dementia,
mental illness or other neurological conditions.
To ensure respectful and compassionate treatment is provided at
the right time and in the right setting, Baycrest Health Sciences is
leading the province's Behavioural Support for Seniors Program
for the Toronto Central LHIN (Local Health Integration Network).
The program takes a holistic approach to care rather than relying
on medications to manage behaviour.
Forty new positions have been created at Baycrest to help deliver
the program, which supports seniors, families and caregivers in
our city, and includes:
• 23-bed transitional unit providing expert care for patients
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whose behaviours have become unmanageable where they
live – whether in the community or in long-term care homes.
On average, patients stay on the unit for five months.
• mobile team of registered nurses and personal support
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workers assisting more than 37 long-term care homes in
managing residents' behaviours.
• community outreach team working with partners to deliver
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care, caregiver support and skills training.
