Supporting seniors’ mental health in Edmonton
The community geriatric psychiatry clinic at Covenant Health helps seniors who are struggling with mental health challenges stay in their own homes and communities. Located at the Community Health Centre — Lakewood, the program brings specialized mental health care directly to where seniors live.
What is community geriatric psychiatry?
The clinic serves seniors who live at home and are dealing with mental illness. Rather than requiring seniors to always come to a clinic, the team goes to them.
"We do home visits, and we find ways to support clients and try to keep clients at home without having to go to hospital for an admission for stabilization or medical review," says Kaitlan Kallechy, program manager for mental health and addictions.
The clinic helps seniors avoid hospital stays by providing the support they need in their familiar home environment as well as clinic-based services as needed.
How the program works
When someone is referred to the clinic, they receive a visit from a nurse, who does an initial assessment. The nurse looks at what kind of support the senior might need and connects them with the right services, says Kaitlan.
The clinic team includes nurses, social workers, recreation therapists, psychologists and psychiatrists who all work together to provide complete care.
More than just mental health
The clinic takes a whole-person approach to care. Team members understand that mental health is connected to many other aspects of a person's life.
"We have a variety of resources within our clinic, and once a nurse does the initial assessment, we'll set clients up with whatever other supports they might need," Kaitlan says.
This might include help with:
• meal planning and delivery
• house cleaning services
• financial support
• recreation activities
• social connections
• medication management
Psychiatrist support when needed
Not every client needs to see a psychiatrist, but the service is available when required.
"We do have psychiatrists involved with the clinic," says Kaitlan. "They will do medication reviews, medication adjustments and care planning. They can also consult with the client's general practitioner to work together on improving the client’s mental health."
This collaboration with family doctors helps ensure everyone is working together for the best possible care. Kaitlan says.
Community-based recreation
The clinic offers a unique approach to recreation therapy that takes place in the community rather than in a traditional day program setting.
"We now offer three different streams of recreation that take place in the community,” says Kaitlan. “They’re offered at places like public libraries and public senior centres."
The goal is to help seniors find activities they enjoy in their own neighbourhood, with support to get started, Kaitlan says.
"For example, we might have a client that's really focused on improving their physical fitness, and they want to join an aquacize class once or twice a week, but they're quite anxious because they also struggle with a mental illness, so they may need some support to get started."
This approach helps seniors build lasting connections in their own communities.
Kaitlan Kallechy, mental health program manager
Benefits of the Community Health Centre
Being located at the Community Health Centre — Lakewood offers advantages for both clients and staff. Seniors who do need to come in for appointments can access multiple services in one location.
"For seniors, it's not always easy getting out, especially in the winter and with transportation and other barriers they may experience,” says Kaitlan. “So the fact that they can come to the Community Health Centre, see their psychiatrist, get their blood work done, talk to a pharmacist and get an eye exam all in one visit really is amazing."
This "one-stop shop" approach removes many barriers to high-quality health care for seniors.
Who can be referred
The clinic accepts seniors who:
have a mental health diagnosis and can be supported in the community
are aware of and agree to the referral
may have medical issues that are being addressed by other healthcare providers
may have dementia with treatable psychiatric or behavioral concerns
may have substance use issues combined with a mental health diagnosis
The clinic focuses on keeping seniors healthy and independent in their own homes for as long as possible.
The community geriatric psychiatry clinic represents a community-focused approach to senior mental health that recognizes the importance of keeping people connected to their homes, families and communities while providing the specialized support they need.