Senior’s Mental Health Program

Dec 9, 2016

The Seniors’ Mental Health Program provides community-based psychiatric consultation services to individuals living with an age-related mental health illness in the Cochrane-Timiskaming area. This program in partnership with the North Bay Regional Health Centre utilizes a client-centered approach in assisting individuals and their caregivers (formal and informal) to attain and maintain the fullest capacity of life.

Program Objectives

To provide a mental health assessment, diagnosis, treatment recommendations and follow-up for people with age-related mental illness.
To collaborate with health care agencies and identify community support services that will ensure seniors’ mental health care needs are met and that people can safely remain in their home.
To prevent hospitalization, institutionalization or crisis when possible.

Referral Criteria

65 years or older with complex mental health needs, or younger than 65 who have a confirmed diagnosis of Alzheimer’s or frontotemporal dementia.
Medically stable
Residing in the community (living at home, supportive housing or in a facility based environment such as long-term care or chronic care).

Referral Process

Referrals to the program must be initiated by the family physician or nurse practitioner, who will continue to coordinate the seniors’ care throughout the process. Copies of the referral form are available by contacting our office.
The team consists of Geriatric Psychiatrists and Nurses who are committed to meet the mental health needs of the older adult.
All new referrals are reviewed and prioritized. The older adult will be contacted by telephone, followed by a visit and the family physician will be provided with intake status information. A consultation report with recommendations as well as a follow-up plan is forwarded to the family physician.

Please note as a consultation service, we are unable to offer emergency or long-term (continuous case management) involvement with seniors referred to the program.