Seniors

The Seniors' Mental Health Community Consultation Service provides consultation as part of the Seniors' Mental Health Program of the North East Mental Health Centre. The team serves elderly patients with mental health problems referred by their family physician. The family physician is considered an active member of the treatment team.

The team uses a patient-centred and/or consultee-centred approach in assisting patients and caregivers to attain, maintain and restore a high quality of health in the least restrictive environment. Our philosophy of care respects the rights and promotes the dignity and worth of all individuals.

• To provide mental health assessment, diagnosis, treatment recommendations, limited follow-up and\or referral for elderly people with mental health problems. Patients will be seen in our office or in the community depending on their needs.
• To collaborate with health care agencies and care-givers (formal or informal) to provide advocacy for patients and their families, to ensure that the mental health needs of the elderly are met.
• To provide consultation and education to community agencies as well as to other health professionals concerned with psychogeriatric problems.
• To prevent hospitalization when possible and to facilitate rehabilitation and reintegration when hospitalization is necessary.

The local team consists of a nurse based in Elliot Lake and a psychiatrist providing consultations. The program is affiliated with the Seniors' Mental Health Program at North East Mental Health Centre.