Ensuring patients who have dementia or those who are suspected of having that diagnosis “receive the specialized care they need” is the goal of a new initiative being launched at Campbellford Memorial Hospital (CMH).
The Trent Hills hospital has announced it is teaming up with the Baycrest Virtual Behavioural Medicine (VBM) Program with the goal of better supporting its patients with cognitive impairment.
CMH describes the VBM program as “a pioneering initiative” that’s designed to improve the care and support of patients who have dementia.
“This collaboration ensures that CMH’s inpatients who have, or are suspected of having, dementia and are exhibiting responsive behaviours, receive the specialized care they need,” the hospital noted in a media release.
“Our partnership with the (VBM) Program aligns with CMH’s mission to provide comprehensive care to our community,” said Heather Campbell, vice-president of patient care at CMH, in the release.
“By collaborating with this program, we ensure that individuals with dementia receive the specialized support they need to improve their quality of life and help reduce repeat hospitalizations.”
The VBM Program provides a short-term, behavioural medicine consultation service that leverages virtual consultations to address challenging neuropsychiatric symptoms, such as severe agitation and physical expressions of anger.
By working closely with the patient, family, and care team, the Baycrest team reviews medications, medical and family histories, co-morbidities, and symptoms to determine the most effective medication and behaviour support strategies, according to the release.
“This comprehensive approach not only addresses the immediate needs of the patients but also lays the foundation for a successful transition home or to long-term care.”
Through its inpatient unit, CMH began referring eligible patients to the VBM Program in February, with the vision that it can have a significant impact on managing responsive behaviours and improving the overall patient experience.
CMH views the partnership as a part of its “ongoing commitment” to enhance dementia care within the community and provide patients and their families with the support they need during critical times.
Patients referred to the VBM Program undergo a thorough assessment, which may include virtual appointments lasting between one to two hours, followed by shorter, focused follow-up sessions. These consultations are conducted via accessible platforms such as the Ontario Telehealth Network, Zoom, or Microsoft Teams, “ensuring that care is both timely and convenient,” CMH noted.
The VBM Program is a collaboration between the Sam and Ida Ross Memory Clinic at the Pamela and Paul Austin Centre for Neurology and Behavioural Support at Baycrest, and the Toronto Central Behavioural Support for Seniors Program.
The VBM Program team includes specialists in behavioural neurology, geriatric psychiatry, nurse practitioners, nurses, pharmacists, social workers, neuropsychologists, and behavioural support clinical navigators.
According to the Alzheimer Society of Canada, researchers project that by 2030 nearly one million people in Canada will be living with dementia. In addition, researchers forecast that more than 1.7 million people in Canada will have dementia by 2050.
The term “dementia” doesn’t refer to one specific disease. It’s an overall term for a set of symptoms that are caused by disorders affecting the brain, the Alzheimer Society noted on its website.
For more information about dementia, visit the Alzheimer Society of Canada website at alzheimer.ca. For more information about Baycrest’s VBM Program, visit baycrest.org.
