This interdisciplinary service provides early assessment and diagnosis of memory disorders with the aim of supporting caregivers of patients with memory disorders, and their primary care physicians.
Seniors' Care is a six-video series about common health challenges in older adults. As you age, it's important to adopt a healthy lifestyle and be aware of early signs and symptoms of health issues so preventative measures and early interventions can be taken. Watch the videos Seniors' Care at NYGH: Dementia and Seniors' Care at NYGH: Delirium and view other videos in the series.
Dementia is a brain disorder associated with memory loss that impacts activities of day-to-day life. About 15% of Canadians over 65 are living with dementia. NYGH Physician Dr. Goran Eryavec says an early diagnosis with early intervention and treatment can slow the progression of the disease, giving patients a higher quality of life for a longer period. If you have concerns about your memory, Roula Mandas, Social Worker at NYGH, recommends you talk to your family physician about getting connected to a program like NYGH's Memory Clinic.
Seniors’ Care at NYGH: Delirium
Delirium is an acute confusion that comes on very suddenly and can affect how a person recovers in hospital, quality of life and length of stay. About 15% of older adults will come to the emergency department with delirium and about 60% will develop delirium in hospital. Donna Ruffo, Nurse Practitioner at NYGH, says by finding and treating the underlying cause, the confusion should go away. Delirium can last a few days, weeks or even months and she stresses the importance of family support and its role in identifying changes in mood and behaviour.