Geriatric Medicine

BCHS Inpatient Geriatric Consult Service

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The BCHS Inpatient Geriatric Consult Service team consists of a Geriatrician, a Registered Nurse, and an Occupational Therapist.

The Geriatric Consult Service is designed to provide inpatient consultation services for older adults who present with complex functional, medical and/or psychosocial issues. Our team uses a comprehensive geriatric assessment and provides consultation to the older adult who requires a coordinated approach to care.

Some of the reasons to consult our team include: frailty (recent functional decline/frequent hospital visits), acute confusion/delirium, query dementia or behaviors related to dementia, polypharmacy, and falls/decline in mobility.

Inclusion Criteria: Age ≥ 65 years (no age restriction for referrals for suspected dementia).
Exclusion Criteria: Discharge from hospital expected within 48 hours or the only reason for referral is a need for a capacity evaluation.

Integrated Dementia Resource Team (DREAM Team)

Individuals living with dementia are a key priority population of focus in Brantford. It is estimated that over 3,700 people in Brantford/Brant live with dementia and are cared for by 6,000 individuals whose own well-being is often impacted by demands of their role as a caregiver. The recognition of this growing need led to the creation of the Brantford Brant Norfolk OHT (BBNOHT) Dementia Working Group. By incorporating expertise and representation from multiple local service provider organizations, the BBNOHT Dementia Working Group was able to identify gaps in care and develop innovative solutions to emergency department diversion.

In April 2021, after extensive preparation and planning, an Integrated Dementia Resource Team was embedded in the Brantford General Hospital (BGH) Emergency Department (ED) as a pilot project. This team continues to support ED staff in identifying, communicating with, and redirecting patients with dementia to more appropriate outreach support options.

Also referred to as the DREAM Team – Dementia Resources Education Advocacy Mentorship – the Integrated Dementia Resource Team, comprised of a community resource team member (led by the Alzheimer Society), hospital navigator, and home and community care support services, identifies appropriate community resources and helps patients and caregivers to access them. Additional benefits include educating front-line staff on strategies to reduce triggers and responsive behaviours, provide one-on-one support and consultation to patients and families, suggest coping tactics to foster resiliency and prevent future emergency room use, offer respite programs to relieve caregiver burden, and provide follow-up through referrals to transition patients from the hospital to home.

Grand River Community Health Centre, Outpatient Geriatric Consult Service

Driven by the current needs of our community, and increasing complexity of our aging population, several service partners (Brant Community Healthcare System, Alzheimer’s Society, Grand River Community Health Centre, Regional Geriatric Program) are pleased to announce that the existing memory clinic (Dr. Alexandra George) will integrate with a new geriatric medicine clinic (Dr. Mihaela Nicula) to form the Seniors Assessment Service.

Working together, Dr. Alexandra George and Dr. Mihaela Nicula will now both see seniors >65 years for complex memory and medical issues. This is a much welcome expansion to our community that will allow patients to be seen in shorter wait times and allow follow up as needed.

The Seniors Assessment Service is located at the Grand River Community Health Centre: 363 Colborne Street, Brantford.

All referrals for the Seniors Assessment Service must be sent through the Regional Geriatric Program, Central Clinical Intake. 

Note: Please check off “Geriatric Medicine” and “Brant” on Page 2 of the referral form. The referral will be internally assigned to Dr. George or Dr. Nicula as clinically appropriate. 

Central Clinical Intake Referral Form   Frequently Asked Questions 

Alzheimer Society of Brant: Intensive Case Management for Seniors with Dementia Living at High Risk 

The Alzheimer Society of Brant, Haldimand Norfolk, Hamilton Halton is the local community agency dedicated to supporting families living with dementia and are part of a network of Alzheimer Societies operating across Ontario offering a variety of services in our region.

With a focus on programs and services surrounding their three pillars of care: 

• Dementia Education
• Counselling & Support Services
• Health & Wellness activities

Health Care Professionals: Referral Forms for Alzheimer Society