By Staff
May 14th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
It is the disease that families with aging parents have to face: Alzheimer and the dementia that has to be dealt with is now a .
Joseph Brant Hospital (JBH) and the Alzheimer Society are partnering on a new initiative aimed at transforming dementia care in the hospital’s Emergency Department (ED).
The Alzheimer Society’s DREAM Team (Dementia Resources Education Advocacy Mentorship) is an innovative and collaborative model that embeds a dedicated Dementia Resource Consultant (DRC) in hospital EDs to assist individuals living with dementia and their caregivers.
Diane Mulholland, the DRC who leads the DREAM Team at JBH, has been working with hospital and Home and Community partners since January to help connect patients and their loved ones to the resources they need in a timely and efficient manner.
“Success stems from the close collaboration between the DRC, Home and Community Care Support Services Care Coordinator, and hospital team,” said Janine Reimer, Manager of clinical programs at the Alzheimer Society Brant Haldimand Norfolk Hamilton Halton (ASBHNHH).
“Together, we aim to provide immediate support and resources to patients and caregivers, ultimately enhancing patient outcomes and reducing the need for physical or chemical restraints.”
Janine Reimer, Manager of clinical programs at the Alzheimer Society Brant Haldimand Norfolk Hamilton Halton
The introduction of the DREAM Team at JBH represents a significant step forward in dementia care, underscoring the hospital’s commitment to innovation and excellence in patient-centered care.
“Partnerships with organizations like the Alzheimer Society and Home and Community Care Support Services is key to improving care for patients who require additional support once they leave the hospital,” said Sarah Duke, Manager of JBH’s ED.
“At Joseph Brant Hospital, the DREAM Team embodies our commitment to providing unparalleled dementia care, where compassion meets innovation to ensure every individual’s journey is characterized by dignity, respect, and personalized support,” she added.
About the Alzheimer Society DREAM Program
The DREAM (Dementia Resources Education Advocacy Mentorship) Program, initiated by the Alzheimer Society, aims to enhance dementia care within hospital settings through specialized support, diversion strategies, and community engagement. By embedding dementia specialists within emergency departments, the DREAM Program facilitates timely access to resources and support for individuals living with dementia and their caregivers.
About Joseph Brant Hospital
An architects rendering of the new entrance to the Joseph Brant Hospital
Joseph Brant Hospital (JBH) is a full-service, academic community teaching hospital located in Burlington, serving residents in Burlington as well as surrounding communities of Halton Region, Hamilton, Waterdown, Flamborough, and Stoney Creek. There are 194 physicians, 2,062 full- and part-time staff and 200 volunteers committed to providing care and living the hospital’s core values of Compassion, Accountability, Respect and Excellence.
JBH is a Clinical Education site in conjunction with McMaster University and a partner member of the Burlington Ontario Health Team. It is honoured to be recognized as one of Hamilton Niagara’s Top Employers for eight consecutive years.
About Alzheimer Society of Brant Haldimand Norfolk, Hamilton Halton
In 2016, the Alzheimer Society of Brant, Haldimand Norfolk, Hamilton Halton completed its official amalgamation bringing together three previous Society chapters: Alzheimer Society of Brant, Alzheimer Society of Haldimand Norfolk, and Alzheimer Society of Hamilton Halton. The individual chapters served their communities for more than 25 years.
People with dementia are at the centre of everything we do. The Society focuses its programs and services around three pillars of care: education, counselling services and wellness activities. It provides education to families along their journey through dementia and counsellors operate on-going support groups and one-on-one sessions within the family home. The Alzheimer Society promotes health & wellness programs for people living with dementia and care partners; as well as people who are at greatest risk of developing dementia including seniors and marginalized populations.
Agree with Ted. Last place I’d take a loved one too. Absolutely horrible experiences there with my own family and those of many others I know. One wonders how Eric Vandewall is STILL there after so many years of the same things over and over again.
Unfortunately I don’t have much faith in the combination of JBH and the Alzheimer Society. I am sure it all sounds good in the press releases though.
The drugs they routinely give, or at least a certain doctor prescribes, supposedly to “calm” elderly patients at night, often has the opposite effect. A perfectly sane pair of women who had been maintaining homes and running their own lives with some help from children, both hit the same room at Joe Brant after a fall. Staff said both were “sundowning” -a characteristic shown as erratic behaviour in Alzheimer patients at the end of the day, instead of diagnosing an adverse side effect of dilantin. I would not recommend letting a friend or relative stay there without 24 hour surveillance by family/hired caregiver. We did this, monitored all medication and our patient survived. The lady in the next bed died after three days of being mild-mannered, intelligent and sweet during the day and a raging, swearing maniac who had to be tied down to her bed at night. A review with hospital staff promised change – hah!
Next time we took a wheelchair taxi to Oakville, but I know, unfortunately, that is not always possible.
ALWAYS be ready to question care options at JBH.
Ted,
I checked this out and the information below indicates that the paramedics typically send you to the closest hospital.
“Where I work, which is the province of Ontario Canada, you’ll be taken to the closest most appropriate hospital. You have no choice in the hospital. That said, if you have a good reason to go to a specific hospital we can ask permission to do that. But, that will depend on call volumes and ambulance availability.”
Penny,
Every health event will be different and yes that is/will be the standard reply. It is not though I understand mandatory as I have been told by folks on the front lines.
Ted
Two successive hospitalizations at Joseph Brant in 2011 for my dad. They were unable to assess an old man with a history of prostate was unable to void his bladder and hence was out of sorts.
Two years ago it took four months for their admin to send an uninterpreted report of a isotope cardiac stress report to my GP. When it was forwarded to the Hamilton General I received an immediate cancellation. Result they stented the widow maker.
I will spare the readers my moms experience with C difficile, however she passed away at Jo Brant in 2009.
This is the last place I would take a loved elderly person to that I cared for as there has been no needed changing of the guard over 15 years. By the way you can dictate where an ambulance takes you or someone in your care….