RENFREW – The Renfrew Victoria Hospital’s Regional Assault Care Program (RACP), the Renfrew County Mobile Crisis Team, and Community Mental Health Services have recently signed an agreement to partner with the Champlain Community Care Access Centre (CCAC) to create the Seniors Crisis Bed Program. This project, funded by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, is a collaborative response to help seniors in Renfrew County who are experiencing abuse, and seniors who are at risk due to caregiver crisis. It is modeled on a successful program currently being delivered in the Eastern Counties.
Through the Seniors Crisis Bed Program, eligible clients can access a crisis bed in a local retirement home at no cost, for up to seven days. The program allows the senior to be in a safe environment, while considering his/her ongoing options. The RACP has provided health services to victims of abuse since 1991 and has recently expanded their program in 2010 to include Elder Abuse Response Services. Specially trained registered nurses, available at all five Renfrew County hospitals, provide acute care, outpatient services and in-home visits to abused and at-risk seniors as well as caregivers in crisis. CCAC Case Managers, who provide home care throughout the region, can assess and authorize admission to these crisis beds.
“These crisis beds provide an immediate short-term solution to seniors experiencing extremely difficult situations in our communities,” says Randy Penney, CEO, Renfrew Victoria Hospital. “They prevent unnecessary hospital admissions, but more importantly, they provide the type of urgent care needed by the victims of elder abuse, at risk seniors and their caregivers who may be experiencing stress and burnout.”
“We believe that our individual and collective responses are strengthened by a shared understanding of the issues and a commitment to work collectively and cooperatively to meet the different needs of seniors at risk,” adds Gilles Lanteigne, CEO, Champlain CCAC.
Response to the RACP Elder Abuse Response Services program has been very positive.
“In the first three months, we saw the number of seniors we had expected to see in the first year,” notes Jennifer Valiquette, Clinical Nurse Manager with the Regional Assault Care Program. “Clearly the need is there and we’re happy to be there to provide the right care.”
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About the Regional Assault Program at Renfrew Victoria Hospital
The Regional Assault Care Program (RACP) is one of 35 Sexual Assault/Domestic Violence Treatment Care Centres in Ontario and provides health care and support to women, men and children in Renfrew County who are victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, child maltreatment and elder abuse. Acute care, follow-up and outpatient services are providing by specially trained nurses in collaboration with emergency department physicians and nurses in all 5 Renfrew County hospitals.
The RACP introduced their Elder Abuse Response Services in September 2010. Services offered include:
- Information and support to seniors, caregivers and service providers;
- Assessment and identification of the indicators of elder abuse;
- Exploration of options with seniors to develop a plan of care;
- Assessment of in home safety and basic living needs;
- Providing urgent short term safe living arrangements;
- Assistance with financial management protection;
- Connecting seniors and caregivers to appropriate community resources; and
- Assistance with legal procedures.
About Renfrew Victoria Hospital
Renfrew Victoria Hospital (RVH) is a fully accredited facility, offering, surgical, medical, obstetrical and chronic care. Special in-patient services include a Birthing Room, Special Care Unit, Palliative Care, and Pastoral Care. The hospital has an extensive ambulatory care program with over 30,000 emergency and clinic visits per year.
RVH offers 25 specialist out-patient clinics and a satellite oncology service. It has been designated as the Regional Centre for Renfrew County Nephrology Services and sponsors county-wide services in Addictions Treatment Services, Regional Assault Care Program, and Sleep Lab.
There is full diagnostic support within the hospital including staff radiologists providing radiological, ultrasound, bone density and mammography support. In addition there is a comprehensive surgical program with a surgeon on staff. RVH also has an Internist on staff who provides exercise stress testing, echocardiography, cardiopulmonary and allergy testing.
About the Champlain CCAC
The Champlain Community Care Access Centre (CCAC) is the second largest health service provider in the Champlain LHIN with a budget of approximately $177 million and 679 employees. It serves more than 52,000 clients annually across our region.
The Champlain CCAC provides a single point of access to health and personal support services to help people live independently in their homes or to facilitate their transition into a long-term care home. The CCAC plans, coordinates and ensures the delivery of a full-range of in home and community-based services to support clients and their caregivers. In addition, the CCAC provides clients with information and connects clients to alternate sources of care in the community. Info: www.champlain.ccac-ont.ca
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For more information, please contact:
Suzanne Charest
Director, Communications and Stakeholder Engagement
Champlain CCAC
Phone: 613-745-8124 ext. 5997
Cell: 613-864-3925
E-mail: suzanne.charest@champlain.ccac-ont.ca
Jennifer Valiquette
Clinical Nursing Manager
Renfrew Victoria Hospital
Regional Assault Care Program
Phone: 613-432-4851, ext. 818
Toll Free: 1-800-363-7222