Health News For Champlain
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Pembroke Regional Hospital
New Geriatric Programs Help Local Seniors
PEMBROKE – Two new initiatives targeting the region’s at-risk seniors,
many of whom do not have a family physician, are helping keep these
individuals safe in a home environment rather than face admission to
hospital.
Developed by the Regional Geriatric Program in consultation with a
Renfrew County team of experts who specialize in geriatric care, the first
involves the placement of Geriatric Emergency Management nurses in the
hospital emergency departments in Pembroke, Renfrew and Arnprior. Their
role is to assess seniors over the age of 75 and refer them to other hospital
services, community resources, or the Mobile Geriatric Day Hospital
(MGDH).
Under the direction of the Pembroke Regional Hospital, the MGDH is part of
the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care’s Aging At Home strategy to
which seniors are referred for outpatient assessment and treatment by a
Geriatric Day Hospital Team lead by nurse practitioner Bonny Johnson and
consulting physician Dr. Jenn Becker, with a physiotherapist, occupational
therapist and social worker.
After the initial comprehensive assessment is complete, goals are set by
the team to address the identified issues (such as mood, mobility,
medication compliance, incontinence, constipation, pain, sleep, or social
problems), a discharge date is set and the individuals begin their group
sessions consisting of exercise and education, while some may continue
to have one-on-one sessions based on individual needs.
Participants typically attend once or twice each week for two-and-a-half
hours for approximately 12 weeks.
“It is extremely helpful to work with the team to identify problems of the
senior population and make changes that can significantly improve
function and ability to remain at home safely,” Ms. Johnson said.
“We have learned many things from the first groups who have participated.
They have been highly motivated and have shared much humour and
wisdom with us.”
What makes this program unique is its mobile aspect. Each week, the team
works at three sites, spending two days at the Pembroke Regional Hospital,
and one day each at sites located in the Renfrew Victoria Hospital and the
Grove Arnprior and District nursing home.
“It’s exciting to be part of a new program and to be able to contribute to the
provision of geriatric care in an area where there has been a need for some
time,” Dr. Becker said.
Dr. Becker, who also works as a family physician in Arnprior and has
specialized training in care of the elderly, said feedback has been very
positive since the program began in Pembroke in May and in Renfrew and
Arnprior this past summer.
Area resident Jack Watterson said he was very weak when he was first
referred to the day hospital but has since regained a lot of his strength and
also a lot of useful information.
“It is a really good program,” said Cecelia Laverdure. “I have got a lot of
good from it already and my husband thinks I am walking better than I have
in two years.”
“As we go forward we hope to be able to tailor the program to the needs of
the patients so feedback is very important,” Dr. Becker said.
Sabine Mersmann, Director of the Medical and Rehabilitation programs at
PRH said development of the program involved site visits to other existing
day hospitals as well as the sharing of information by those sites and other
community partners.
Locally, she said Carefor has provided tremendous support, providing
transportation for all sites for an extremely reasonable fee to the
participants.
“Already this has enabled people to participate who otherwise would have
felt unable to come for an extended period,” Ms. Mersmann said. “Until
now, we have had very limited specialized geriatric services in the county –
this is a step in the right direction to being able to provide more.”
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Carolyn Levesque, Public Affairs and Communications Coordinator
Pembroke Regional Hospital
(613) 732-3675, ext. 6165 / carolyn.levesque@pemreghos.org
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