The community North York General Hospital serves has one of the highest percentages of older adults in the country. Our Specialized Geriatric Outpatient Services helps older adults maintain their sense of dignity and independence through improved health and quality of life.
Geriatric Medicine Clinics and Day Hospitals are out-patient programs that provide comprehensive multidisciplinary assessment and/or treatment for older adults who are experiencing a change in function, memory, mood, mobility or have complex medical issues. Specialized Geriatrics focuses on supporting and optimizing community dwelling for older adults’ independence and autonomy.
The professionals in our geriatric clinics work closely with services available in our community. We assist families to access the care they need for their loved one, whether within the hospital or in the community. We work in partnership with regional networks including the Ontario Health at Home family physicians, health professionals, home support services, multicultural organizations and others dedicated to the health and well-being of seniors. We are part of the Regional Geriatric Program of Metropolitan Toronto, an umbrella organization that plans and coordinates specialized geriatric services.
Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA) is an in-home assessment conducted by allied health professionals who provide recommendations and work collaboratively with health care providers to facilitate service navigation, linkages and referrals to community partners.
The Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (CDSM) is a six-week education and support program. It offers older adults with chronic health problems the opportunity to build skills and share experiences on a number of topics:
problems such as frustration, fatigue, pain and isolation
appropriate exercise for maintaining and improving strength, flexibility, and endurance
appropriate use of medications
communicating effectively with family, friends, and health professionals
nutrition, and
how to evaluate new treatments.
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 video Seniors’ Care at NYGH: Chronic disease management and view other videos in the series.
Many older adults in Canada are living with one or more chronic conditions that will have a long-term impact on their lives, such as diabetes, osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease. Because of these multiple health issues, North York General Hospital Physician Dr. Patrick Chu says a holistic approach to care is ideal. Programs and workshops can help provide older adults with the tools and resources to live an active life with a chronic condition.
Contact a Recreational Therapist to learn more at (416 756-6871) ext. 8525.
Our Day Hospital is an outpatient rehabilitation service aimed at helping community dwelling older adults maintain and maximize their independence through improved health and quality of life.
The Geriatric Day Hospital program includes assessment, treatment and rehabilitation and education for those 65 and older. This program is active rehab and is not an adult day program. is not a community adult day program. In some cases, family involvement is required throughout the program.
Helping individuals to regain independence involves care partners as well as the client. We also work with community services such as home support agencies and others dedicated to the health and well-being of older adults. We offer both individual and group health education to clients and their care partners.
Our professionals are highly trained in all aspects of geriatric care. Members of your health care team at the Day Hospital may include: dietitian, nurse, recreation therapist, pharmacist, physiotherapist, occupational therapist, social worker, and physician. We use other professional services on a consultation basis, as required.
Who should be referred?
Our services help older adults whose complex health make it difficult for them, their care partners, primary care providers and other health care services, to provide the support they need. To be admitted, applicants must meet the following criteria:
65 and older
have multiple medical, functional or psychosocial problems
show potential to benefit from a team approach
be willing, actively and safely participate in the program
Hours
The Day Hospital operates Monday to Thursday, 9:30 a.m. to 12 noon.
Clients come either Monday/Wednesday or Tuesday/Thursday based on availability.
The length of stay for clients will be determined after initial assessments are completed by the Specialized Geriatric Team.
We offer both in-home outreach visits and out-patient clinics visits.
Geriatrics outreach teams
Geriatric medicine outreach team
In-home comprehensive assessment by an interdisciplinary team to review issues related to mobility, cognitive and functional status, medication, home safety and psychosocial issues for homebound elderly. One-time assessment and short-term follow-up to assist physicians and nurse practitioners in the community.
Geriatric psychiatry outreach team
In-home comprehensive mental health assessment by a Geriatric Psychiatrist to review issues related to complex mental health diagnosis, assessment and management of dementia with responsive behaviours for homebound elderly. One-time assessment and short-term follow-up to assist physicians and nurse practitioners in the community.
Outpatient clinics
Geriatric Medicine Clinic
Specialized comprehensive geriatric assessment provided by a Nurse and Geriatrician/Care of Elderly physician to address medical, functional, cognitive and psychosocial issues.
Geriatric Psychiatry Clinic
For clients not actively involved with another psychiatrist, the Geriatric psychiatrist will provide a specialized comprehensive psychiatric/psychosocial assessment focused on mental health issues. This is a consultative model with short-term follow-up back to the referring provider.
Contact us
Tel: Call our Geriatric Services Line at 416-756-6050
Monday to Friday: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
This interdisciplinary service provides early assessment and diagnosis of memory disorders with the aim of supporting caregivers of clients 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 clients 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.
Contact us
Tel: Call our Geriatric Services Line at 416-756-6050
Monday to Friday: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
It’s never too late to look after your bones! That’s the message we want seniors to hear in the fight against the silent disease, osteoporosis, a brittle bone disease that is the leading cause of hip fractures.
This program is focused on the early identification of
patients at risk of repeat fracture. Patients seen in the Gulshan & Pyarali G. Nanji Orthopaedic & Plastics Centre at North York General Hospital will be referred for a bone mineral density test to identify their fracture risk. High-risk patients receive follow-up at the Osteoporosis Clinic by a geriatrician and nurse. In collaboration with Osteoporosis Canada, the Osteoporosis and Fracture Prevention Clinic supports risk reduction and early intervention.
Seniors’ Care at NYGH: Osteoporosis
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 video Seniors’ Care at NYGH: Osteoporosis and view other videos in the series.
Osteoporosis is a brittle bone disease that is the leading cause of hip fractures in older adults. Monica Lee, Pharmacy Practitioner at NYGH, says men over 50 and women post-menopause are at greater risk of osteoporosis. With early diagnosis, interventions and an assessment for falls, you can reduce the risk of fractures so you can continue to live a safe and active life.
Seniors’ Care at NYGH: Falls prevention
Falls can happen to anyone, but the risk of falls and their impact on your health is greater as you get older. About one in three people over the age of 65 who live at home will experience a fall — 40% of falls cause hip fractures. Renee Heitner, Physiotherapist at NYGH, says you can reduce your risk of falls with an assessment of your health and by learning how to stay safe in your home with the proper supports. Renee stresses the importance of maintaining your strength and endurance by exercising, and recommends those at risk join a falls prevention program.
Tel: Call our Geriatric Services Line at 416-756-6050
Monday to Friday: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
This clinic provides a comprehensive geriatric assessment to help manage symptoms associated with Parkinson’s disease, including:
Parkinson’s motor symptoms: tremor, rigidity, slow movement;
Non-motor symptoms: depression and anxiety, sleep concerns, cognitive decline, bowel and bladder issues, postural hypotension;
Medication management
Seniors’ Care at NYGH: Parkinson’s disease
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 video Seniors’ Care at NYGH: Parkinson’s disease and view other videos in the Seniors’ Care series.
Parkinson’s disease is a neurological disease which mainly affects older persons and 90% of clients are over 60. The number of Canadians with Parkinson’s disease is expected to double by 2030. While Parkinson’s disease is mainly characterized by physical symptoms (tremors and slow movements), it’s often the non-physical symptoms that have the greatest impact on quality of life.
North York General Hospital Physician Dr. Joyce Lee says Parkinson’s disease can affect a person’s mood, anxiety levels, how they think, and even their sleep. Blood pressure and bowel habits are often also affected. Dr. Lee stresses the importance of understanding the disease, and seeking support to better manage the symptoms in order to live well with Parkinson’s.
Contact us
Tel: Call our Geriatric Services Line at 416-756-6050
Monday to Friday: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The Fanny Bernstein Living Well with Parkinson’s Program
Contact us
Specialized Geriatric Outpatient Services NYGH Minor Surgical Procedures and Elder Care Centre 243 Consumers Road, Suite 300 Toronto ON M2J 4W8
