Alzheimer Society Peel is honoured to lead health services for the Behavioural Support for Seniors Program in the Mississauga Halton region, as appointed by Ontario Health Central Region.
Behavioural Supports Ontario (BSO) was implemented in 2012 across Ontario to leverage existing resources and enhance health care services for seniors, which includes coordinating care across the continuum. Clinicians involved in BSO provide behavioural health care services for older adults in Ontario who have, or are at risk of, responsive behaviours—also known as personal expressions—associated with dementia, complex mental health issues, substance use, and/or other neurological conditions. Support is available to seniors, their CarePartners, and anyone who experiences or cares for someone exhibiting personal expressions.
Understanding Responsive Behaviours (Personal Expressions)
Responsive behaviours are one way that individuals with dementia, mental health, substance use, or other neurological conditions may react to their environment or try to communicate their needs. Responsive behaviours can be expressed in a variety of ways, which may include:
- Repetitive statements or questions
- Searching/exploring the environment
- Verbal expressions of risk (yelling, swearing)
- Visual or auditory hallucinations
- Suspicion/Paranoia
- Physical expressions of risk (pushing, hitting)
- Sexual expressions of risk
These responsive behaviours can lead to hospital admissions, premature applications to long-term care and a great deal of burnout and stress for their CarePartner and/or care provider(s).
Support and Education
The Mississauga Halton BSO team supports and educates family care partners and healthcare providers across sectors. We are currently training staff and developing person-centred care plans within long-term care homes, hospitals, and the community, including private residences, assisted living facilities, and retirement homes. Our BSO Long Term Care (LTC) mobile teams provide fast assessment, education, and support for residents in long-term care in collaboration with the embedded LTC BSO teams. Together, they are working to improve care and build capacity.
Our Goal:
- Increase Patient Safety
- Improve Quality of Life
- Prevent Unnecessary Hospital Admissions
- Support Patients Throughout Their Journey
Our dedicated BSO Care Navigators provide a centralized stop to make navigating the healthcare system easier for patients and CarePartners.
Collaboration and partnerships with local, regional, and provincial agencies help streamline services for seniors, their families, and care partners to ensure the right care at the right time and place.
