Seniors Mental Health

Seniors Mental Health Behavioural Support Services meet the needs of older adults across Southeastern Ontario with progressive cognitive disorders such as Alzheimer’s Disease or other related dementia, late-onset mental health needs, substance use and/or neurological disorders and associated responsive behaviours. It includes Seniors Mental Health Outreach, Mobile Response Teams and Psychogeriatric Resource Consultants.

Seniors Mental Health Outreach is a specialty team providing comprehensive assessment, treatment recommendations, care planning, advocacy, referrals, and education for older adults living with dementia, late-onset complex mental health needs, substance use and/or neurological disorders, and associated changes in behaviour.

In Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox & Addington and Hastings Prince Edward this service is offered through Providence Care. In Leeds, Lanark & Grenville this service is referred to as Geriatric Mental Health Outreach and is offered through The Royal. Referrals are accepted through primary health care providers such as a family physician or nurse practitioner. If family, care partners or community health care providers have concerns, they may contact their primary care provider.

Mobile Response Teams provide timely and knowledgeable support for residents living in long-term care homes who are presenting with or at risk for responsive behaviours that may be associated with dementia, late onset complex mental health needs, substance use and/or neurological conditions. Mobile Response Teams assist with assessments, behavioural care planning and transitional support to meet specific resident needs. Referrals are accepted from long-term care home team members.

Psychogeriatric Resource Consultants support health care providers who care for older adults with complex cognitive-mental health needs with associated responsive behaviours. They provide education, consultation and community development for health care providers across the health care system, including long-term care homes, hospitals and community support services. Referrals are accepted from health care providers and community agencies.