This program is offered in conjunction with the Centre for Health Care of the Elderly at the QEII Health Sciences Centre in Halifax. It is aimed primarily at the frail elderly, but individuals in their 50s and 60s who are experiencing memory problems are also occasionally seen. The primary advantage of the service is that it enables patients to receive a comprehensive geriatric assessment by a geriatrician (a doctor specializing in the problems affecting older people) without having to travel to Halifax.
Patients are referred to the service by their family doctor. Follow up regarding recommendations that result from the visit are the responsibility of the referring physician, but patients may be seen as well by the geriatric team for a reassessment depending on the circumstances.
The "clinic" is held on the first Thursday of every month from September to June, with additional clinics possible when necessary due to the volume of referrals. Two patients are seen during each clinic. A thorough medical history is obtained by the KRRC team members. This is followed by a consult with Dr. Dan Carver, a geriatrician in Halifax, utilizing the Telehealth system. Patients can be seen at Valley Regional Hospital or at the community health centres in Wolfville or Berwick. The location is selected based on where the patients reside.
The Geriatric Consultation Team at KRRC consists of General Practitioner Robin Bustin, Registered Nurse Wanda Blackburn, and Social Worker Tracie Sarsfield-Turner. Dr. Bustin completed a 6 month certificate program in geriatrics at Dalhousie University in addition to his family practice training, and is also the physician liaison with continuing care homes in the District. Wanda and Tracie have their Certificate in Gerontology from Mount Saint Vincent University, and were trained as geriatric assessors at the QEII. Tracie also volunteers as a Support Group Leader with the Alzheimer Society of Nova Scotia.
Similar clinics to the one offered at KRRC are held in Middleton and in other rural areas of Nova Scotia such as Lunenburg and Antigonish.
For more information, please contact:
Tracie Sarsfield-Turner Ext:171
Email: tturner@krrc.ns.ca
