Description of Program: The Inpatient Psychiatry unit is a short-stay hospital program focusing on assessment and treatment of mental health challenges in older adults. The interdisciplinary team works directly with clients and families to set treatment goals. Symptom control, counselling and therapeutic groups are key elements of the program. In addition, supportive counselling for families is provided. Throughout admission, the interdisciplinary team works in collaboration with clients and families to identify strategies and supports to be implemented at home with the aim of enhancing the confidence and ability of clients to manage mental health challenges and carry out activities of daily living post-discharge. Goals of Program Stabilize mental illness Increase social and physical supports as identified Enhance confidence and abilities in activities of daily living Improve families’ and clients’ ability to cope and manage living with mental illness Inclusion Adults age 65 and older Clients with diagnosis of mental illness (focus on mood disorders including major depression and bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders, psychotic disorders and mild cognitive impairment with associated psychiatric illness The discharge plan and destination are identified and confirmed prior to admission. Exclusion Dialysis Mechanical ventilation Bi-level Positive Airway Pressure (BiPAP) Cuffed Tracheostomy Tube Expected Length of Stay: Length of stay will vary by individual needs as determined by the health care team. Patients should expect to return to their previous care setting within 60 days of admission. Application Process: The Centralized Access (Intake and Referral) Process to Senior Specialty Hospital Beds is a single entry point for providing access to geriatric mental health beds at Baycrest, CAMH and Toronto Rehabilitation Institute within the Toronto Central Local Integration Health Network (TC-LHIN). Referral must be signed off by a physician or nurse practitioner. Please fax completed application forms directly to the CCAC’s Centralized Intake and Referral Office at 416-506-0439. Seniors Specialty Hospital Beds Admission Criteria – General and Site Specific Referral Form and Take Back Letter Each application is reviewed by the inpatient mental health team prior to admission for eligibility and appropriateness. Please note that the period between a bed offer and admission to the program may be very brief, sometimes within 24 hours. For this reason, families should assess the feasibility of working within this timeframe as patients who refuse to accept the bed when offered will be placed on a wait list and may lose their priority status. Click to print or download the brochure for Inpatient Psychiatry Program.