Specialized Geriatric Services: Inpatient - Services

Geriatric Rehabilitation Unit

This is a 30-bed inpatient unit for patients with multiple, complex health problems (e.g., physical, emotional, cognitive and social issues). The goals are to promote patient’s health, functional independence and quality of life. Length of stay varies from 2 to 6 weeks.

The program is tailored to the needs of each individual with patients and families playing an integral part of the interdisciplinary team. The team includes: geriatricians, nursing, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, social work, speech and language pathology, pharmacy, clinical nutrition, and therapeutic recreation. Consultation is available from chiropody, dentistry, audiology, spiritual services, geriatric psychiatry and advanced practice nursing.

• Geriatric Rehabilitation brochure
• Refer a patient to the Geriatric Rehabilitation Unit

Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation Unit

This 20-bed inpatient unit located in the Main Building at Parkwood Institute. The program is designed to meet the rehabilitation needs of adult patients (18+) with complex musculoskeletal problems requiring an in-patient, interdisciplinary approach. Length of stay averages 3-4 weeks.

• Musculoskeletal Unit brochure
• Refer a patient to the Musculoskeletal Care Unit

Geriatric Psychiatry Program

This inpatient program is for elderly clients with persistent or late onset mental illness, or severe behavioural disturbances. Specialized care provides a focus on assessment, treatment, rehabilitation, prevention, family/community support and education.

An interdisciplinary team provides a holistic patient centered approach that attends to the mental, physical, spiritual, cultural and psychosocial aspects of the individual.

Acute Care of the Elderly Unit (ACE unit)

The ACE unit is a 14-bed acute care unit for patients requiring investigation and short term management of complex health issues. An interdisciplinary team approach is used following best eldercare principles.

Admission criteria include:

• 75 years of age and over
• Presence of acute illness requiring admission of greater than 72 hours
• Geriatric syndromes i.e. delirium, failure to thrive, etc.
• Multiple co-morbidities
• Requires specialized interdisciplinary professional care

Exclusion criteria include:

• chronic illness with no acute medical issues
• Strictly behavioural issues in the absence of acute medical issues

Consultation Liaison Team

The Consultation Liaison team of geriatricians, geriatric psychiatrists and advanced practice nurses provides integrated geriatric medical and psychiatric consultation, liaison and ongoing follow-up for referred geriatric in-patients in the London acute care settings.

If required, members of the team refer patients to community based geriatric services (medical and/or psychiatric) in order to optimize their health and functioning once discharged from hospital.

Another key role of the members of the Consultation Liaison team is to enhance the capacity of the interdisciplinary team and the acute care system in care of the elderly.

Geriatric Emergency (Room) Management (GEM)

The goal of the GEM program is to keep elderly patients out of the hospital. An advanced practice nurse provides assessment and clinical consultation for elderly individuals with complex health issues in the emergency room.

The nurse completes a holistic, yet focused assessment and based on the findings, the GEM nurse will prepare a plan in collaboration with the senior and any caregivers/family members.

Recommendations may include further assessment/intervention within the emergency room, or inpatient unit and /or further follow up in the community. The GEM nurse also focuses on education with emergency room staff, patients and families.