Psychogeriatric Resource Consultants
Psychogeriatric Resource Consultants provide coaching, education, capacity building, and consultative support to Ministry of Health and Long Term Care funded staff, including Long Term Care Homes and Ontario Health at Home (OHaH) contracted service providers in the community.
The Psychogeriatric Resource Consultant (PRC) Program is comprised of an interdisciplinary team equipped with knowledge and experience in best practices related to the support of seniors with complex physical, cognitive, and mental health needs.
PRCs provide coaching, education, capacity building, and consultative support to Ministry of Health and Long Term Care funded staff, including Long Term Care Homes and Ontario Health at Home (OHaH) contracted service providers in the community.
What does a Psychogeriatric Resource Consultant do?
Psychogeriatric Resource Consultants (PRCs) work as advisors, educators, facilitators and network builders in partnership with the St. Joseph's Niagara Geriatric Mental Health Outreach Team. PRCs:
- Support long-term care homes and community support agencies that serve people who exhibit challenging behaviour(s), within a designated geographic area on a priority basis - based on risk, urgency, and effective use of time.
- Advocating for senior’s quality of life and minimizing risk.
- Enabling uptake of evidence-based approaches to everyday practice through formal and informal education and on-the-job coaching (e.g., PIECES, U-First, Gentle Persuasive Approaches, Positive Approaches to Care, DementiAbility).
- Developing capacity for the implementation of various evidence-based tools across the continuum of care.
- Empowering teams to engage in problem-solving and solution-finding through knowledge transfer.
- Help to identify gaps and integrate services to meet client and staff needs in complex situations.
- Develop an ongoing relationship with the LTC and community systems.
How does the Psychogeriatric Resource Consultant Support in Community?
The PRC role provides education and coaching to OHaH-funded agency staff working with seniors living in community where staff are experiencing challenges in care provision due to responsive behaviours.
They will work with agency care staff to identify contributing factors and assist them in understanding person-centered communication and care strategies to create a more enabling environment tailored to the individual they support.
Ontario Health at Home Care Coordinators can access the PRC Referral form here: PRC Community Referral Form
How does the Psychogeriatric Resource Consultant Support Long Term Care Homes?
The PRC is available to partner with Long Term Care Home teams through education and consultation services. Education may include formal, certificate courses or informal sessions specific to indicated need. The PRC is also available to collaborate within the LTC’s Responsive Behaviour Team, offering consultative services within the context of the Responsive Behaviour Meeting or supporting front-line staff through interdisciplinary huddles.
If you work in long term care and would like to connect with your PRC refer to your Responsive Behaviour Lead, or contact your PRC directly.
Who makes up the PRC Team at the Alzheimer Society of Niagara Region?
Larissa Mazzarella
Psychogeriatric Resource Consultant
Niagara Falls, Welland, Fort Erie, Port Colborne
905-687-3914 ext. 555
[email protected]
Sherri Davis
Psychogeriatric Resource Consultant
Grimsby, Lincoln, St. Catharines, Niagara-on-the-Lake
905-687-3914 ext. 568
[email protected]