Behavioural Neurology
The Behavioural Neurology unit cares for patients with behavioural challenges related to a neurocognitive disease.
We offer a short-term in-hospital program that assesses and treats people with dementia-related behaviours that can put themselves or others at risk. Our patients may be resistive to care and experiencing:
- Physical or verbal aggression
- Agitation
- Hallucinations and paranoia
- Disruptive or distressing vocalization
- Other behaviours that can harm themselves or others
Our interprofessional team includes behavioural neurologists, psychiatrists, a behavioural analyst, nurses, pharmacists, social workers, occupational therapists, physical therapists and a speech-language pathologist.
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The exact length of a patient’s stay will depend on their individual needs.
After patients are admitted, patients and families will meet with members of our team who will ask questions to perform an in-depth assessment.
Together with patients and families, we will decide on a treatment plan to help manage challenging behaviours. This will improve the patient’s own well-being and quality of life.
When it is time to leave the hospital, we will help you plan for a smooth transition back to your home or another facility.
We only accept patients who have been referred by a health-care provider through the Virtual Behavioural Medicine (VBM) program.
Please refer to our admissions criteria (PDF) before referring.
Please fax this referral form (PDF) to 647-788-4883 or email to [email protected].
This memo from January 2025 (PDF) explains the referral process.
For more information about our unit, contact a social worker at 415-785-2500 ext. 2319.
Inclusion criteria
- Adults age 55 and older (younger clients will be considered on a case-by-case basis)
- Medically stable (i.e. does not require acute care intervention) and can participate in and benefit from treatment and management of responsive behaviours
- Confirmed or suspected diagnosis of dementia with associated behavioral symptoms, including those with additional diagnosis of acquired brain injury/traumatic brain injury (ABI/TBI), Huntington’s disease, developmental disability or other mental health illness
- Patient or substitute decision maker (SDM) or power of attorney (POA) are expected to actively participate in discharge planning to return or transition to the appropriate destination
Exclusion criteria
- Dialysis
- Mechanical ventilation
- Bi-level Positive Airway Pressure (BiPAP)
- Bariatric equipment needs (300lbs +)
- Patients requiring crisis admissions
Patients with complex medical needs that cannot be managed on a non-medical unit, such as:
- Ongoing IV therapy
- Patients with tracheostomy
- Patient with complex wounds
- Enteral feeding
- Oxygen needs greater than 50%
- Acute medical problems
- Need for extensive rehabilitation or physiotherapy
Referrals for patients for whom placement is the main issue will be decided on a case-by-case basis.
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