Overview of Specialized Geriatric Services (SGS)
Who We Are
Specialized Geriatric Services include the Southeastern Regional Geriatric Program and Division of Geriatric Medicine. Together they provide specialized, multidisciplinary clinical assessment and treatment services for older people (greater than 65 years of age) who have complex health needs
What Do We Offer
A range of clinical services are available to the people of Hastings and Prince Edward (H-PE) counties in the west, through Frontenac, Lennox and Addington (KFL&A), to Lanark, and Leeds and Grenville (LL&G) counties in the east. They include:
Inpatient hospital assessment, treatment and rehabilitation at PCCC’s St. Mary’s of the Lake Hospital site, Kingston, for seniors with complex health needs that may be improved or even reversed.
Geriatricians and other clinicians offer specialized clinics at Providence Continuing Care Centre’s St. Mary’s of the Lake Hospital site and at various other locations across Southeastern Ontario.
RGP also offers ambulatory Psychology Service at the St. Mary’s of the Lake Hospital site.
This service provides multidimensional assessment and recommendations for seniors with complex health problems – at home, in hospital or in another residence.
Consultation with other hospital-based health care professionals on best care for seniors hospitalized with multiple complex health problems.
Comprehensive short-term outpatient assessment and rehabilitation for seniors with complex health needs who are likely to benefit from a multidisciplinary team approach.
Why Consider a Referral to this Program
The following are some flags for referral:
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Recent decline in managing day-to-day activities
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More difficulty getting around
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Concern about medications
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Recent change in ability to cope
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Multiple recent admissions to hospital or visits to emergency department or family physician
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Recent falls or fear of falling
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Cognitive changes as part of other functional health changes
A direct referral to Geriatric Psychiatry should be considered if behavioral disturbance due to dementia or cognitive impairment is the main issue.
How to make a Referral
Referrals may be initiated by the family physician, other health care providers, seniors themselves, family members/informal caregivers. The client must agree to the referral.
These clinical services are provided in association with each client’s family physician covered by OHIP and free to the individual. Clients, family/informal caregivers or other health professionals are requested to contact the family physician to discuss a possible referral.
If the client does not have a family physician, please contact the RGP Intake Secretary to discuss referral options. Under certain circumstances, the Outreach Service may complete an in‑home assessment and provide a written report to the client to facilitate communication at a Walk-in Clinic or a hospital Emergency Department.
All referrals should be directed to the Intake Secretary (613-544-7767 or 1-800-214-5848). Physicians should complete a Physician Referral Form (see PDF attached) and fax to the Intake Secretary at 613-544-4017.
Referrals are reviewed by the geriatrician (excluding referrals to Acute Care Consult Service) to determine client’s appropriateness for services. If not appropriate, recommendations for alternative services such as Geriatric Psychiatry or for community support services may be offered.
If the client is appropriate for SGS services, the referral will be forwarded to the designated clinical service. For referred clients who reside in the community or are patients in community hospitals, the Outreach Service is the initial contact service. For clients referred from KGH or HDH, the Acute Care Consult Service will respond. Direct referrals to Day Hospital, the Geriatric Inpatient Service or, in most cases, Geriatric Clinics, are not accepted.
Return to Division of Geriatrics