Geriatrics Program

The City of Lakes Family Health Team has identified the health care of our seniors as a priority for our team.  As people age, we know that their risk for certain health conditions increase.  These risks become more significant when they occur in the presence of other health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease and arthritis.  Our goal is to improve the management of chronic diseases (such as diabetes), increase healthy behaviours and work with our patients to keep them independent.

We have provided some of our staff with increased training in the assessment and management of high risk geriatric issues such as: falls/mobility; memory loss; depression; medications (polypharmacy).  In identifying these issues, we hope to work with our patients to intervene and help manage these issues.  We hope to reduce hospitalizations and emergency department use.  Ultimately, we hope to improve the quality of life of our patients.

We have started patient education programs to help our seniors learn more about their health and how they can keep themselves healthy.  Our first program focuses on falls prevention and osteoporosis.  While most falls are accidental, we know that there are things our patients can do to reduce their risk of falling and improve the health of their bones.  

We have been working with our community partners to help streamline services for our patients and help keep our patients in their own homes and functionally independent for as long as we can.  We are working with several agencies including: the Geriatrics Interprofessional Interorganizational Collaboration (GiiC); Osteoporosis Canada; the Sudbury and District Health Unit; the Community Care Action Centre; the North East Centre of Excellence for Seniors Health; and the Alzheimer’s Society First Link program.