Looking for help?
Behavioural Supports Ontario has a number of services that can help you, your family and friends support a person living with dementia, whether you are living at home, in a retirement home, in a long term care home, or are staying in a hospital.
The Behavioural Supports Ontario strategy consists of three teams of health care professionals working together to support people living with cognitive impairment and responsive behaviours across our health care system.
Seniors Mental Health Outreach Teams:
Seniors Mental Health Outreach provides comprehensive assessment, treatment, planning, advocacy, referral and education for older adults living with complex cognitive mental health needs, substance use and associated changes in behaviour. Team members include case managers (registered nurses or occupational therapists), neuropsychologists and psychiatrists.
Seniors Mental Health Outreach provides support to people living in their own home, retirement homes, long term care, and some hospitals. Referrals are accepted through primary care providers (family physicians and nurse practitioners).
If you have questions about whether you or someone you care for would benefit from Seniors Mental Health outreach, please speak with your primary care provider or contact the office closest to you:
• Frontenac, Lennox & Addington: 613-354-3916
• Hastings Prince Edward: 613-771-0133 ext. 1-6228
• Kingston: 613-384-9088
In Lanark, Leeds & Grenville, this service is called Geriatric Mental Health Outreach and is provided through The Royal.
• Lanark: 613-283-2170 ext. 233
• Leeds & Grenville: 613-345-1461 ext. 1700
Mobile Response Teams:
Mobile Response Teams provide timely and knowledgeable support to residents of long term care homes living with complex needs and responsive behaviours. They support residents moving into long term care homes to ensure a smooth move into their new home, and help develop and implement care strategies to meet specific resident needs. Team members include registered nurses, registered practical nurses and personal support workers.
Referrals are accepted from long term care home staff members. If you have questions about whether you or someone you care for would benefit from the Mobile Response Team, please speak to the contact the office closest to you:
• Hastings Prince Edward: 613-771-0133 ext. 4
• Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox and Addington: 613-384-9088
• Lanark, Leeds & Grenville: 613-342-1820
Psychogeriatric Resource Consultants:
Psychogeriatric Resource Consultants support health care providers who care for older adults with complex physical, cognitive and mental health needs with associated responsive behaviours. They are registered nurses who provide education, consultation and community development for health care providers in long term care homes and in the community. Referrals are accepted from health care providers and community agencies. If you feel your local Psychogeriatric Resource Consultant could help the staff working with you or someone you care for, please contact the Psychogeriatric Resource Consultant in your area:
• Hastings Prince Edward: 613-771-0133 ext. 1-6228
• Kingston Frontenac Lennox & Addington: 613-384-9088
• Lanark Leeds & Grenville: 343-263-4310
For more information on The Royal's Seniors Mental Health services, please refer to their website at http://www.theroyal.ca/mental-health-centre/mental-health-programs/areas-of-care/seniors/
brainXchange Caregiver Support and Education
Examples of responsive behaviours with links to supportive videos
Alzheimer Society of Canada
The Alzheimer Society is a not-for-profit health organization working nationwide to improve the quality of life for Canadians affected by Alzheimer's disease and other dementias and advance the search for the cause and cure.
Alzheimer Society of Ontario
Since 1983, the Alzheimer Society of Ontario has been dedicated to improving the quality of life for Ontarians living with Alzheimer's disease and other dementias and advancing the search for the cause and cure.
Canadian Coalition for Seniors' Mental Health (CCSMH) - Mental Health Guides for Seniors and their Families
These brochures are adapted from the CCSMH National Guidelines for Seniors' Mental Health with the financial support and collaboration of the Public Health Agency of Canada and Shoppers Drug Mart.
Caregiver Toolkit by the British Columbia Psychogeriatric Association
A list of resources to which service providers can direct caregivers for education, support and services.
This is Not My Mom
Information and resources about delirium
Vancouver Island Health Authority - Delirium Resources
Information about delirium for families and health care professionals, including tools, flow sheets, learning tools, and professional practice information.
Dementia Crossroads – The Lived Experience Café
A place for the public, persons with dementia, caregivers, community organizations and health care professionals in southeastern Ontario to share information and ideas about dementia and related conditions.
Murray Alzheimer Research and Education Program (MAREP) - People Living with Dementia
The Murray Alzheimer Research and Education Program (MAREP) is committed to supporting people living with dementia to continue to live well.
Murray Alzheimer Research and Education Program (MAREP) - Partners in Care
There are many tools and resources available to family partners in care who are supporting a person living with dementia – information directly related to the person you are supporting and also information for you, to help you in your very important role.
Ontario Seniors’ Secretariat - A Guide to Programs and Services for Seniors in Ontario
A Guide to Programs and Services for Seniors in Ontario is your resource for information about programs and services available to Ontario's seniors. It is produced by the Ontario Seniors' Secretariat and distributed by ServiceOntario Publications.
Shifting focus: a guide to understanding dementia behaviour
Shifting focus is a tool to help the families and friends of people with dementia understand behaviour caused by the disease.