Central Clinical Intake processes referrals to Specialized Geriatric Services (Geriatric Medicine and Geriatric Psychiatry), Behavioural Supports Ontario (BSO), and GeriMedRisk for community-dwelling older adults in living in the Hamilton, Niagara, Haldimand Norfolk, Brant, and Burlington areas.
- Behavioural Supports Ontario (BSO): The BSO team provides in-home behavioural assessment and care planning support to older adults living with cognitive impairment and responsive behaviours in the community, and their families / caregivers.
- Geriatric Medicine: Geriatric Medicine physicians and teams provide comprehensive assessment and care planning for older adults with age-related disorders including memory changes, falls, frailty, and mobility changes.
- Geriatric Psychiatry: Geriatric Psychiatry physicians and teams provide assessment and treatment planning for older adults with complex mental health disorders, addictions, behavioural changes, and similar concerns.
- GeriMedRisk: GeriMedRisk is a virtual, clinician-facing consultation service that connects physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants and/or pharmacists with a team of geriatric specialists to help with optimization of medications and optimization of physical/mental health conditions in older adults. Note: GeriMedRisk does not see patients directly; rather, the team provides a summary of recommendations directly to the referral source.
The Central Clinical Intake program promotes patient centered care by streamlining the referral process, preventing duplication of service, decreasing the need for patients to repeat their story to different providers, and supporting timely and equitable access to the most appropriate service(s).
Our team
The Central Clinical Intake team is made up of administrative support personnel and regulated health care providers with expertise in aging and age-related health issues as well as knowledge of the specific supports and services for older adults in our region.
Our process
The Central Clinical Intake Assessment is modeled after the Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment framework, and includes a summary of relevant information obtained from the referral package, electronic health databases, and collaboration with referral source, primary care provider, and/or other community partners as applicable. Typically Intake Coordinators will not contact patients or caregivers as part of the Intake Assessment process, with some exceptions. The Intake Assessment and referral package are then sent to the service provider(s) for review and booking.
Referrals
The Central Clinical Intake referral form to request Specialized Geriatric Services, GeriMedRisk, and/or BSO can be found here: rgpc.ca/centralintake
Referrals to Specialized Geriatric Services and GeriMedRisk are most often sent by primary care providers, hospital providers, or specialists in clinic settings. If you are a patient or caregiver and feel Specialized Geriatric Services or GeriMedRisk involvement would be helpful in your case, please discuss this with your primary care provider.
BSO referrals can be sent by anyone on the patient’s care team, including physicians, nurses, social workers, occupational therapists, or other team members. BSO support can also be requested by patients, families, or other community members by calling BSO CONNECT (through Ontario Health at Home): 905-523-0886 or 1-866-790-4642
