What is the RGPc?

	RGP Fact Sheet The Role and Value of Specialized Geriatric Services Click here to view the 2 page Fact Sheet

The Regional Geriatric Program central (RGPc), located at St. Peter's Hospital in Hamilton, is one of
5 regional geriatric programs located in Ontario. All the sites (London, Hamilton, Toronto, Kingston and Eastern Ontario are affiliated with Academic Health Science Centres. The RGPc is affiliated with McMaster University and sponsored by Hamilton Health Sciences.

• Factual information,
• Health population profiles
• Key links to helpful resources in your community
• Education
• Service information
• Research and evaluation

Mission

Provide a system of health care that optimizes the health, independence and quality of life of seniors with complex health problems

Vision

All frail older adults will have optimum health

• Specialized geriatric services (SGSs) must be available in an equitable way throughout the region.
• The configuration of SGSs will vary from community to community, depending upon need, resources, history, and community preferences.
• Quaternary care, such as the type modeled in Hamilton, may not provide an appropriate “ideal type” for other communities.
• “Best Practices” must be included in consideration of any models of care, education, and research.

Specialized Geriatric Services

A range of specialized geriatric services are offered across the seven regional areas of the RGPc, including specialized geriatric assessment, short term treatment and rehabilitation services provided by interdisciplinary teams with expertise in the care of the elderly, across the continuum of care. Most programs have a range of health care team members, including a specialist in geriatric medicine and/or psychiatry.

Our goal is to provide comprehensive assessment and treatment plans that will optimize care planning and promote increased confidence and independence. Throughout all of the planning stages we are concerned about family and community support, the need for advocacy to help effect positive change and the need to communicate planning needs clearly with family doctors.

 

	What patients tell us... ... ”I finally gathered enough courage to ask for your help regarding memory loss. I am 75 years old and have been noticing memory loss for the past year. I have an older brother who has Alzheimer’s and I would like to get help before I reach that stage." ... "Dear Dr., We want to thank you and your staff for the way we were treated yesterday. We know you kept your instructions simple enough to understand despite our many problems. At times it fees overwhelming and we really appreciated the help received by the nurse and reception lady ... the caring came through!”