Bartolucci announces funding for 18 seniors health workers

A Behaviour Supports Plan will add a regional coordinator as well as 18 new health professionals with specialized training for older adults with behavior issues, Sudbury MPP Rick Bartolucci announced today.

“Today’s announcement is great news for our community,” said Bartolucci. “Older adults needing added care to ensure their well-being in the current home setting will benefit from these additional supports.”

Funding by the North East LHIN will help seniors with challenging behaviors brought on by dementia, neurological conditions, mental health issues and addictions. These behaviors, which put either them or their caregiver’s safety at risk, include aggression, wandering, and agitation.

Funding has been approved for Extendicare York and Falconbridge to share three RPNs and five PSWs; the Sudbury Manitoulin Alzheimer Society to hire one responsive behavior technician; Health Sciences North to hire two responsive behaviour clinicians and one nurse practitioner; as well as two RPNs and four PSWs for Pioneer Manor which have already been made public.

The plan builds on existing programs and services, will help reduce the number of alternate level of care patients with challenging behaviors in hospital, and improve emergency department wait times by freeing up more acute beds.

“We are focusing our efforts on shifting care to where it’s needed. The number of people at risk for responsive behaviours is increasing, and this program will provide the services and supports needed in our community,” Louise Paquette, CEO of the North East LHIN, said.

Posted by Mark Gentili