Virtual Behaviour Medicine (VBM) Program- A Game Changer

Please join us for an information session. Open to healthcare professionals only.

REGISTER: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEqfuCtqTotHdeuHPxhqRl7_pkIpAiGC8I_

PRESENTER: Dr. Morris Freedman
HEAD, DIVISION OF NEUROLOGY, BAYCREST
SCIENTIST, ROTMAN RESEARCH INSTITUTE, BAYCREST
PROFESSOR, FACULTY OF MEDICINE (NEUROLOGY), UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO
MEDICAL DIRECTOR, COGNITION & BEHAVIOUR, BAYCREST

Virtual Behaviour Medicine (VBM) Program – A Game changer!

The virtual behaviour medicine model for assessing and managing responsive behaviours in dementia represents a new and better way of delivering medical care for individuals with responsive behaviours.

The program provides rapid access to short term specialized virtual behavioural medicine consultation and management of responsive behaviours, i.e. neuropsychiatric symptoms in dementia, as a supplement to existing local behaviour supports to prevent unnecessary hospitalization.

The VBM team work with care teams in acute care hospitals and long-term care homes and with family members in the community to help them develop and implement care plans, access behavioural and social supports and provide follow-up.

VBM focuses on pharmacological treatment of severe unmanaged neuropsychiatric symptoms of dementia.

The VBM team recommend that individuals should first be seen by their local Behavioural Support Outreach Teams and Geriatric Mental Health Outreach Teams/Community Psychogeriatric Outreach Teams/specialists, prior to referring to the program to make best use of local services and encourage continuity of care.

Who could benefit?

• Individuals with a diagnosis of dementia, where the primary concern is severe unmanaged neuropsychiatric symptoms of dementia such as physical aggression and agitation
• Client is at risk of harm to self and/or others due to behaviours associated with dementia
• When an application for a tertiary specialized behaviour support bed (CASS bed) is being considered
• Clients that are currently stable from a general medical perspective  (some exceptions may be in place for clients referred while in acute care)
• Clients who are transitioning to another sector/place of care, where responsive behaviours may be a barrier to a successful transition.