True GEMs

The Geriatric Emergency Management (GEM) program is dedicated to ensuring that seniors receive the optimal level of care in the Emergency Department as well as in the community.

GEM conducts comprehensive assessments, linking elders to community services and collaborating with family members, staff and various community agencies. The program strives to see all patients age 75 or older who present in the ED and patients aged 65-74 who have an identified geriatric concern (e.g. falls, cognition, mobility, nutrition, pain, recurrent ED visits, etc.).

The recent implementation of an automatic referral process ensures that all GEM patients are seen in a timely manner as the GEM team now has real-time knowledge of all the geriatric patients upon arrival to the ER.

In an ongoing effort to improve elder care, the GEM program is proud to announce that it has extended its hours of operation and is now open Monday to Friday from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm and on weekends from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm.

Photo:

Left to right: GEMs are Ann Piscopo, RN (completing BScN), Heather Koskela, RN, BScN and Amber Plastino, RN, BScN (missing).