Geriatric Emergency Management (GEM)

Creating a senior friendly emergency department department in the North Shore

Suzanne Lamour, RN GEM Nurse

What can we do for you in the Emergency Department?

Create a senior comfortable environment (ie. efforts at noise reduction)

  • Access to prompt assessment and potential services for a safe plan for discharge home

  • Follow up calls

  • Surveys indicate that seeing a GEM nurse does not increase emergency wait times, but does decrease admission rates by lessening unnecessary return visits. A GEM Nurse intervention can significantly improve both flow and patient satisfaction.

What can I expect during my meeting with the GEM Nurse?

The GEM nurse will ask for your consent to do an assessment. If you agree, the nurse may also speak with your family/caregivers to help with the assessment. During the assessment, the GEM nurse will ask about your physical and mental health, and your ability to manage at home. We may also ask other team members to assist, including social workers, physiotherapists, or mental health nurses.

How Do I Find a GEM Nurse?

Call the Geriatric Office located the the North Shore Health Network - Blind River Site: (705) 356-2265 ext. 2740

or go to the Emergency Department at the hospital and ask for the “GEM Nurse”

What is a Senior Friendly Emergency?

One of the places where older adults may receive health care is the emergency department (ED) at a hospital.

ED visits can be confusing and intimidating for anyone. This is especially true for older adults and caregivers. The ED is often loud and can seem chaotic. Busy health professionals may conduct very quick initial evaluations. However, the evaluation may likely be too brief to effectively cover an older person’s chronic medical problems and medications. Long waits and a confusing environment can also make it more likely for older adults in the ED to develop a delirium.