Spotlighting innovative care for patients living with dementia
On September 29, Melissa Laroche represented QCH at the 2023 National CAGP-CCSMH (Canadian Academy of Geriatric Psychiatry – Canadian Coalition for Senior’ Mental Health) Conference in St-John's Newfoundland.
Melissa is the Advanced Practice Nurse in Geriatrics at QCH and Co-Chair of the provincial Behaviour Support Ontario Acute Care Collaborative Committee.
Melissa’s presentation highlighted innovative care initiatives we have implemented for patients living with dementia in an acute-care hospital, including:
Behavioral Emergency Response Team (BERT) Call Initiative: This internationally awarded program is designed to decrease the number of Code White calls. The team effectively intervenes to de-escalate behaviours exhibited by older adults who are either experiencing acute delirium and/or associated with dementia. We continue to collaborate with multiple acute-care hospitals across Ontario with implementing the successful QCH’s BERT Call initiative to their setting.
Behaviour Support RN role in the Emergency Department: In partnership with the Center for Aging and Brain Health Innovation (CABHI), this role enhances geriatric clinical support in the ED and offers coaching to our front-line ED staff.
Behavior Support Champions: This interdisciplinary program provides staff with practical education in caring for older patients living with dementia. In 2022-2023, we trained 27 Behaviour Support Champions across eight interdisciplinary roles (RN, RPN, Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists, Social Workers, Patient Care Aides, Rehabilitation Assistants, Recreational Therapist).
Dementia Care Coach: In collaboration with the Dementia Society of Ottawa and Renfrew Country, QCH now has a Dementia Care Coach onsite at our Transitional Care Unit at Park Place to support our caregivers and patients living with dementia.