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.
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.
Funding is provided by the Regional Geriatric Program of Toronto and a common referral form is used. Some sites require the referral form to be completed by a medical professional.
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 Central Local Health Integration Network 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.
All services require a doctor’s referral. Persons assessed through our specialized services may be referred to services at the NYGH Minor Surgical Procedures and Elder Care Centre or the General site.
This clinic is specifically designed to provide medical follow-up for patients discharged from the inpatient Acute Care of the Elderly Clinic. The clinic also provides services to patients discharged from the emergency department who have been identified by the geriatric emergency management nurse to have geriatric issues that require assessment. The aim is to prevent repeat hospitalizations. This clinic is offered one day per week.
Contact us Tel: Call our Geriatric Services Line at
416-756-6050 ext. 8060
Monday to Friday: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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.
Our Day Hospital is an outpatient rehabilitation service aimed at helping seniors maintain their sense of dignity and independence through improved health and quality of life.
We offer a range of services including assessment, treatment, rehabilitation and education for those 65 and older and their families.
Most assessments are made at the Day Hospital. However if someone is too frail to make the trip, our Geriatric Medicine Outreach Team can visit them at home.
Goals of the Geriatric Day Hospital
Decrease the need for emergency admission to hospital.
Decrease the need for admission to a long-term care facility.
Provide services that make earlier discharge from hospital possible.
Where appropriate, help the discharge of residents from a long-term care home back to the community.
Helping individuals to regain independence involves caregivers 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 seniors. We offer both individual and group health counselling to patients and their families.
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 people whose complex health and social problems make it difficult for them, their family members, family physicians 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
not a resident of a long-term care home, unless considering a return to community living and
be willing and able to participate safely within the group.
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 home outreach and outpatient clinics for geriatric medicine and psychiatry.
Home outreach
Geriatric medicine outreach home visit
This is a two-hour in-home comprehensive assessment with an interdisciplinary team which includes an occupational therapist, physiotherapist and geriatric physician. The service is a consultative model where a clinician/physician will complete the initial assessment in the patient’s home reviewing issues related to mobility, cognitive and functional status, medication, home safety and psychosocial issues.
Geriatric psychiatry outreach home visit
Patients are seen by the Saint Elizabeth Health Care geriatric psychiatry clinician who conducts a comprehensive mental health assessment related to issues such as depression, anxiety, and behaviour. Patients are then referred to the outreach geriatric psychiatrist for further assessment or to the ambulatory geriatric psychiatry clinic.
Outpatient clinics
Geriatric Medicine Clinic
This geriatric outpatient clinic provides specialized comprehensive assessment by a nurse and geriatrician to address medical, functional, cognitive and psychosocial issues.
The Geriatric Medicine Clinic ensures seniors receive the right care at the right time. The clinic assessment is approximately two hours and requires a medical referral from a physician or specialist. A comprehensive report is sent back to the referring physician with detailed recommendations after review with the patient and their family.
Geriatric Psychiatry Clinic
This geriatric outpatient clinic provides specialized comprehensive psychiatric/ psychosocial assessment with a geriatric psychiatrist. The clinic specializes in mental health issues such as depression, behavioural difficulties, anxiety and grieving. The clinic assessment is approximately one hour with a geriatric psychiatrist and a comprehensive report is sent back to the referring physician with assessment information and recommendations.
The elderly have unique age-related psychosocial and socio-economic stress factors such as coping with the loss of loved ones, dealing with declining health, and struggling with poverty. The clinic specializes in seniors’ mental health problems such as depression, dementia (memory problems), behavioural difficulties and anxiety. Learn about our geriatric mental health services.
Contact us
Tel: Call our Geriatric Services Line at
416-756-6050 ext. 8060
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.
Contact us
Tel: Call our Geriatric Services Line at
416-756-6050 ext. 8060
Monday to Friday: 9 a.m. to 5 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.
Medication management and follow-up via telephone consultation
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 seniors and 90% of patients 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 ext. 8060
Monday to Friday: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.