Senior’s Mental Health Program

Program Description

The role of the Seniors’ Mental Health Program consists of providing mental health assessment, diagnosis and treatment recommendations to your doctor/nurse practitioner. If needed, we will assist you to connect with other health care agencies, identify community support services for both you and your family/caregiver. We aim to prevent hospitalization or crisis whenever possible.

The Seniors’ Mental Health team consists of 1 Registered Nurse (RN) in Kapuskasing; 1 RN in Hearst and a Geriatric Psychiatrist who visits our area.

What to Expect?

  • Once our program receives a referral from your family doctor/nurse practitioner, you will receive a phone call from the Seniors’ Mental Health Nurse within one month.
  • At that time, we will discuss the reason for the referral and provide information about your appointment wait time.
  • After you see the Geriatric Psychiatrist, recommendations regarding the findings and suggested treatment will be sent to your family doctor.
  • Afterwards and depending on your needs, we will provide a limited follow-up.
  • You and your family doctor will be notified when our services are no longer needed.

Eligibility Criteria

Seniors (usually aged 65 years or older) with late onset mental illness can be referred for a consultation if they have one or more of the following:

  • Mental illness complicated by age-related medical illness
  • Responsive behaviors associated with dementia
  • Must be medically stable

Referral Procedure

Referrals to this program MUST be made through your family physician or nursepractitioner

PLEASE NOTE

This is NOT an emergency service. For emergency needs please contact your family doctor or your nearest emergency department.