North East Specialized Geriatric Centre (NESGC) is a regional program with a mandate to:
- provide clinical services,
- build capacity within health care providers,
- conduct evaluations of geriatric programs and,
- provide leadership in policy development that impacts frail older adults.
The mission of NESGC is to provide a comprehensive network of specialized geriatric services which assess and treat functional, medical, and psychosocial aspects of illness and disability in older adults who have multiple and complex needs. Working in collaboration with primary care physicians, community health professionals and others, we seek to meet the needs of the most frail and vulnerable seniors in Northeastern Ontario” (NESGC 2018).
As the recognized lead organization for specialized geriatric services NESGC is the regional representative to the planning entity, Provincial Geriatric Leadership Ontario (PGLO) and the Specialized Geriatric Services Administrators Group. This group serves as the de facto provincial network for specialized geriatric services. In 2020 the PGLO replaced the previous planning entity the Regional Geriatric Programs of Ontario (RGPO).
Role of Specialized Geriatric Services
Specialized Geriatrics Services (SGS) play a vital role in supporting older adults living with complex and chronic health and social care needs. As indicated in graphic above, there is a varying degree of complexity of needs among the older adult population living with complex health needs. Where an older adult may be identified as ‘less complex’ or having ‘lower needs,’ SGS emphasizes the support of primary care to lead in the care of older adults. When needs increase and become ‘moderately complex,’ SGS enables shared care through collaborative models and capacity building. Older adults with the highest and ‘most complex’ needs are supporting with direct care through evidence informed specialized services. SGS acts as an overarching support for older adults living with complex health needs at all levels of complexity.