New Hospital Partnership Aims to Strengthen Dementia Support in Emergency Care
Date: January 17, 2023
Quinte Health has introduced a new partnership with the Alzheimer Society Hastings–Prince Edward to enhance care for people living with dementia who visit local emergency departments.
As part of the initiative, a dedicated dementia care navigator has joined emergency department teams at Belleville General Hospital and Trenton Memorial Hospital. The role is designed to support individuals with dementia and their families by connecting them with appropriate services and resources as early as possible.
The Alzheimer Society estimates that more than 5,000 residents across Hastings and Prince Edward counties are currently living with dementia. Health leaders say early access to community supports can significantly improve quality of life while reducing unnecessary visits to hospital emergency rooms.
The care navigator works weekdays within the emergency departments, collaborating closely with clinical staff. The focus is on helping patients and their care partners access home-based services and community programs that allow individuals to remain in familiar surroundings for as long as possible.
Hospital officials say emergency department visits can be particularly stressful for people with dementia, as they remove individuals from environments where they feel safe and oriented. By providing immediate guidance, education, and follow-up resources, the program aims to ease that transition and support families once patients return home.
Quinte Health is one of only a small number of hospitals in Ontario participating in this Alzheimer Society–supported pilot project. Leaders within the organization say the initiative reflects a broader effort to strengthen collaboration with community partners and improve patient-centred care.
The program is also expected to benefit emergency department staff by providing specialized knowledge, education, and on-site support related to dementia care.
Health officials believe the initiative will help patients avoid unnecessary hospital admissions, support caregivers more effectively, and reduce pressure on an already strained healthcare system.
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