Year 1 Priorities

The EYRND OHT’s first year priorities will focus on helping people living with mental health challenges and/or addiction, and people living with dementia and their caregivers.

People living with mental health challenges and/or addiction

The rates of repeated visits to MSH’s emergency department (ED) for mental health or addiction issues have increased by 37 per cent over the past year.

One-third of people who visit the ED for mental health or addiction challenges have not seen a doctor within the previous two years. About 25 per cent of the people in the EYRND OHT do not have a primary care physician (PCP), and those who do have one often don’t feel comfortable disclosing their mental health or addiction challenges. Because of these factors, the EYRND OHT will enroll people with lived experiences (PWLE) into the OHT for mental health and addictions as they come into the ED.

People living with dementia and their caregivers

The number of people living with dementia is greatly under reported, and yet, this disease is highly distressing. It is also the most expensive disease in the OHT. Some of the most costly expenses for people diagnosed with dementia, their caregivers and the health system include home care, inpatient and long-term care home expenses.

Unpaid caregivers of people diagnosed with dementia dedicate more hours and experience higher levels of distress than those providing care for other seniors. At the same time, caregiving can have negative effects on the caregiver’s health. The EYRND OHT believes that providing effective support to caregivers is essential when helping people diagnosed with dementia live in the community. Therefore, the EYRND OHT have made the needs of caregivers a priority.