1. Community Geriatric Mental Health Services

2. Program Purpose
The Community Geriatric Mental Health Team works with older adults in partnership with caregivers and service partners to:
Enhance quality of life
Improve level of functioning
Promote emotional well-being

3. Population served: Individuals 65 years or older.
Occasionally we will see adults under 65 under special circumstances
eg. ladies with Huntington Disease

4. Symptoms: Depression Anxiety Memory problems Behaviour changes
Disturbed thoughts

5. We also see people at risk:
Individuals who are living at risk or where risk is suspected: NEGLECT:
Failure to provide necessary care, assistance, guidance or attention which causes or is reasonably likely to cause within a short period of time, serious physical, mental or emotional harm or substantial damage or loss of assets.

6. SELF NEGLECT: self neglect eg. living in grossly unsanitary conditions
Suffering from an untreated illness, disease or injury
Suffering from malnutrition which results in the adult’s physical or mental health being severely impaired.

7. We see people suffering from suspected/actual ABUSE:
Physical
Financial
Emotional
Spiritual

11. Services Provided: Specialized Assessments eg. Geriatric Psychiatrists
Short term treatment and follow-up
Education & support to clients & caregivers
Linking older adults to community resources eg: FH Home Health ( HHCM, OT, PT, SW), Alzheimer’s Society, NetCare DPOA, Chilliwack Seniors Resource Society, Better at Home program, Chwk Peer Counsellors, Red Cross
Partnering with family physicians.

12. Chilliwack Geriatric Team members:
2 Geriatric Psychiatrists – Drs. Almas & Biradar
Physicians
Neuropsychologist – Dr. Tracy Lyster
3 nurses
Social worker
Health care workers
(other teams may have OT)

13. Chilliwack Community Geriatric Mental Health Contact for referrals: 604-702-4860
Who can make a referral:
Self-referral NetCare DPOA
Spouse Home Health
Family member Business (car lot)
CGH Neighbour Bldg manager
Community Agency
Alzheimer’s Society