Manitoba Health

Geriatric Program

Admission Criteria- Geriatric Program

Admission to the Geriatric Program is by referral from external agencies within the Regional Health Authorities of Manitoba.  A Referral Task Team reviews the information and responds to the request within 10 working days.  Acceptance for admission is based on the following factors:

• Adults, usually 65 years and older experiencing persistent mental illness, and/or
  
  
• Older adults with a dementia or progressive cognitive impairment who require a high level of expertise, staffing and supervision in a secure environment that is consistent with a tertiary psychiatric hospital setting.  Clients eligible for this program exhibit behaviors that present a serious risk to themselves or others and exhibit one or more of the following characteristics:

1. Excessive impairment and/or decline in cognition, behavior, social ability, functional ability;
2. Co-occurring conditions which complicate the psychiatric illness and/or
3. Resistance to treatment or fluctuating condition requiring intensive psychiatric intervention.

Older adults under age 65 exhibiting the above symptoms will be considered for the program. 

Referrals

Referrals are received on the recommendation of Psychiatrists, Psycho Geriatricians, Geriatric Health workers/teams or community mental health workers/other healthcare professionals where geriatric mental health specialty is not available.  It is the responsibility of the referral source to ensure that the admission criteria are met and appropriate documentation is provided.

Programs

Programs are modeled on the principles of psychosocial rehabilitation, which focuses on involving the patient and family in the recovery planning process. Recovery plans are individualized and designed collaboratively with the patient, family, primary service providers, and the treatment team. The individualized recovery plan results in evidence informed therapeutic interventions, which balance appropriate stimulation with security and retreat depending on the patient’s needs and preferences. The goal of the Geriatric Program is safe reintegration into the community of the patient’s and family’s choice.

Extensive resources and services (see “Services Provided” and “Daily Living Services and Facilities”) are available to patients at SMHC and are accessed according to the patient’s individualized recovery plan.

• Geriatric Resource staff specializes in Geriatric Mental Health and assist the treatment team in assessment and treatment of Dementia and other age related diagnoses.  The Geriatric Resource team also provides therapy for in-patient geriatric patients as well as education and support for the treatment team and family members.

• Geriatric Program Group Staff include a Psychiatric Nurse and a Social Worker with extensive experience working with the Geriatric Population.  Group staff provides group and individual therapy sessions that assist in recovery, discharge planning, socialization, reminiscence and cognitive stimulation.  Maintaining connections with family and reintegration into the community of their choice is often the focus of recovery.

• Nursing staff are knowledgeable in age related mental and physical health concerns and interventions.  The nursing staff is comprised of Registered Psychiatric Nurses, Registered Nurses, Licensed Practical Nurses, and Psychiatric Nursing Assistants.

Tyndall Building

In 2008 the Geriatric Program relocated to a new, state of the art building designed to meet the needs of the Geriatric inpatient population and facilitate the recovery planning process.  The Tyndall building features:

• Five units accommodating a maximum of 15 patients each and designed to offer a home-like environment.
• A Family Room, which may be booked for family members requiring overnight accommodations to visit with loved ones or to facilitate involvement in the patient’s recovery plan. 
• A Multisensory Experience room which provides sensory experiences in a controlled environment.
• A Multipurpose Room/Spiritual Care Room
• Secure Courtyards providing access to fresh air and exercise in a secure environment.
• Individual patient rooms with private washrooms.
• An Independent Living Suite which is wheel chair accessible and is shared with the Acquired Brain Injury program. This suite is used by the Geriatric Program as a home-like environment for assessments (meal preparation) and interventions (community living skills groups).
• Quiet rooms with Patient Activity Work Stations (with computer and internet access)
• A Therapy room available for individualized therapy and programs
• Labyrinth courtyard

For more information, please contact:

Mr. Mark Gerelus, Program Manager
Phone:  (204) 482-1619

Geriatric Program Referral Form