Ontario investing millions into seniors with complex needs program

The Ontario government is funding more than $4.1 million to expand GeriMedRisk, a program aimed at helping seniors with complex medical needs.

The program, based out of the Grand River Hospital in Kitchener in its inception, will be funded over the next two years. Primarily it focuses on connecting seniors to faster and accessible care in their community.

“GeriMedRisk is a made-in-Kitchener, innovative program that connects seniors in Waterloo Region and across the province to the care they need,” Mike Harris, MPP for Kitchener-Conestoga, said in a press release.

GeriMedRisk uses a team of geriatric specialists who create and support plans for seniors to connect with specialized health care.

The program was expanded across Ontario in 2019. The additional funding will allow 21 additional specialists and pharmacists to be hired and more than 1,000 consults annually to be done.

The program can help seniors with:

• Fast, convenient and coordinated access to geriatric specialists during one appointment
• Timely education on how to manage their medication
• Fewer transfers to emergency departments and hospitals for seniors with complex medical needs, such as dementia
• Tools and supports to better manage complex conditions, such as dementia

“Our investment to expand GeriMedRisk will help Ontario’s seniors connect to the care they need, in their community, allowing them to stay at home longer with help to better manage their health and avoid unnecessary trips to the emergency room,” Sylvia Jones, Deputy Primer and Minister of Health, said in a press release.