A resource prepared to support the upstream identification of older adults at risk of delayed transitions in care and the implementation of Home First Initiatives. While numerous high-quality resources exist that address best practices for the screening and identification of falls, delirium, dementia, care partner distress, and frailty, there is currently no single, consolidated source that compiles this information comprehensively. This document aims to fill that gap by synthesizing insights from over 200 provincial, national, and international guidelines, academic articles, self-screening tools, and patient education materials.
Home Programs & Services Provider Resources Geriatric Services Resources
Early Identification Toolkit
Events & Education
Synchronous Courses
Courses & workshops provided by NSM SGS for health care providers.
Cognitive Screening Workshop
FREE | SEPT 15, 2026 | IN-PERSON
Join us for a half‑day interactive workshop focused on cognitive screening in older adults experiencing a change in cognition.
Gentle Persuasive Approaches in Dementia Care
$ | SEPT 17, 2026 | IN-PERSON
GPA Basics is a practical and interactive education session that equips care providers with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to deliver person-centered dementia care.
PIECES Learning & Development Program
$ | SEPT 22/OCT 6, 2026 | VIRTUAL
PIECES is a two-day virtual learning program for health practitioners supporting older adults living with complex conditions and associated behavioural changes.
Self-Paced Courses
Age Related Changes
This resource explores how age-related changes can affect health, function, disease risk, assessment and response to treatment in older adults.
Atypical Presentation of Disease in Older Adults
This course explores atypical presentations of illness in older adults and how normal aging can affect signs and symptoms.
NSM SGS Practice Shorts
These half-hour sessions from North Simcoe Muskoka Specialized Geriatric Services focus on moving education into practice with topics pertaining to the health and mental health of older adults.
Psychogeriatric Resource Consultants in North Simcoe Muskoka
The PRC program supports providers caring for older adults experiencing or at risk of responsive behaviours. PRCs offer case consultation, education and support for complex cases.
NSM SGS Key Initiatives
Frailty & Physical Aging
Rehabilitation Strategy
This regional strategy to help prevent and address functional decline among older adults across North Simcoe Muskoka outlines approaches to support mobility, independence and quality of life.
Fall Prevention Resources and Programs
Collection of tools, programs, screening tests and checklists, and services related to fall prevention and management for frail older adults/seniors.
Fracture Prevention Toolkit
A collection of resources from the Centre for Aging Research related to fracture prevention and bone health in Long-Term Care
Rehabilitative Care for Older Adults Living with/at Risk of Frailty
Provincial Geriatrics Leadership Ontario and the Rehabilitative Care Alliance best practice framework to guide rehabilitative care for older adults living with/at risk of frailty.
Older Adults with Frailty Rehab Guidelines
The RCA’s rehabilitative care best practice frameworks and post-fall pathways support improved outcomes for community-dwelling older adults.
Stroke Care and Outcomes in Complex Continuing Care and Long Term Care
This report describes stroke survivors’ health status and trajectories of care, and evaluates the nature and extent of rehabilitation therapy and other stroke best practices available in the two types of facilities.
Influenza Amongst Canada’s Older Population
This National Institute on Aging report makes 9 recommendations to support policy and practice approaches towards supporting infuenza prevention and vaccination among older adults.
Dementia, Cognitive Decline & Mental Health
Dementia: Care for People Living in the Community
Ontario Health provides a Quality Standard for Dementia Care that outlines how people with mild cognitive impairment or dementia should be supported while living at home in the community
Behavioural Symptoms of Dementia: Care for People in Hospitals and Long-Term Care Homes
Ontario Health outlines 14 key statements to improve care for patients experiencing agitation and aggression.
Behaviour Supports Ontario- Provincial Annual Report
Behavioural Supports Ontario (BSO) provides behavioural health care services for older adults in Ontario with, or at risk of, responsive behaviours/personal expressions.
Personality Disorders in Long Term Care
Dr. Kathleen Bingham, Geriatric Psychiatrist with the NSM SGS Geriatric Mental Health Team talks about the different types of personality disorders, recognizing how personality disorders might present in LTC and specific strategies to support these residents.
Substance Use Disorders
Introduction to the CCSMH Guidelines on Substance Use Disorders Among Older Adults
An introduction and overview of common issues across substance use disorders among older adults.
Canadian Guidelines on Opioid Use Disorder Among Older Adults
Canadian Coalition for Seniors’ Mental Health – Substance Use Disorder guidelines provide practical and timely clinical recommendations on the prevention, assessment, and treatment of OUD in older adults.
Canadian Guidelines on Cannabis Use Disorder in Older Adults
Four guidelines on the prevention, assessment, and treatment of substance use disorders (SUDs) among older adults.
Canadian Guidelines on Benzodiazepine Use Disorder in Older Adults
Canadian Coalition for Seniors’ Mental Health – Substance Use Disorder guidelines provide practical and timely clinical recommendations on the prevention, assessment and treatment of Benzodiazepine use disorder among older adults.
Canadian Guidelines on Alcohol Use Disorder Among Older Adults
Canadian Coalition for Seniors’ Mental Health – Substance Use Disorder guidelines provide practical and timely clinical recommendations on the prevention, assessment and treatment of Alcohol use disorder among older adults.
Out of Sight, Out of Mind: Addressing the Invisible and Older Faces of Canada’s Opioid Crisis
With this report, the National Institute on Ageing (NIA) aims to raise awareness of the serious risks to older adults related to the opioid crisis, and to explain why this group will require particular attention in order to stem the crisis.
Data & Provincial Planning
Specialized and Focused Geriatric Services Asset Inventory
The Provincial Geriatrics Leadership Ontario (PGLO) has been asked by the Ministry of Health to facilitate capacity planning of health services for older adults living with complex health concerns. This includes Specialized Geriatric Services and new, emerging services focused on older adults.
Aging in the Right Place: Supporting Older Canadians to Live Where They Want
Supporting older adults to age in their own homes and/or communities, commonly referred to as “aging in place,” can help Canada’s already-strained long-term care systems.
Older Adults and the Justice System: A Navigational Guidebook for Caregivers and Service Providers
The Provincial Human Services and Justice Coordinating Committee (HSJCC) has developed a guidebook to help caregivers and service providers of older adults and adults with age-related conditions navigate the justice system.