AJAX, ON (October 9, 2014) – Durham Mental Health Services (DMHS) and Ajax Municipal Housing Corporation (AMHC) are pleased to announce a new partnership aimed at promoting seniors health at home. This follows a similar partnership DMHS established with Durham Non-Profit Housing Corporation earlier this year.

DMHS has established an office at AMHC’s Westwood Manor location, staffed by Personal Support Workers who will provide direct health services to tenants aged 55 and older. The Personal Support Workers are complemented by a full hub of services, including an Addictions Recreational Therapist, a Registered Nurse program coordinator and mental health case management. This team will offer flexible, individualized support to residents through a combination of scheduled check-ins and “as needed” on-call support. During off hours, residents can access immediate telephone support through the DMHS C.A.L.L. Centre (Crisis Access Linkage Line).

A second AMHC residence, Post Hill Apartments, will be staffed with a team of DMHS Peer Support Specialists who will offer support to tenants. In return, AMHC is providing space to DMHS to run the New Leaf mental health day program, which is also open to AMHC residents.

In addition to the direct service for seniors, the partnership also includes free mental health education and training to AMHC staff by DMHS.

According to DMHS Executive Director Rob Adams, “The focus of the partnership supports the Central East Local Health Integration Network’s overall theme of ‘Community First – Helping Central East LHIN residents spend more time in their homes and their communities.’ This includes:

• Reducing the demand for long-term care so that seniors spend 320,000 more days at home in their communities by 2016.
• Continuing to improve the vascular health of residents so they spend 25,000 more days at home in their communities by 2016.

• Strengthening the system of supports for people with Mental Health and Addictions issues so they spend 15,000 more days at home in their communities by 2016.
• Increasing the number of palliative patients who die at home by choice and spend 12,000 more days in their communities by 2016.

“It will also provide an increase in the quality of holistic care for seniors and those with a mental health issue”.

Kevin Bradley, General Manager of AMHC, says “We are delighted to form this new partnership that will enhance the health and quality of life of our senior residents. We look forward to expanding our partnership with DMHS in the very near future.”

Oliver Forbes, President of the AMHC Board of Directors says, “We strongly support this link with DMHS, which supports our mission of keeping residents in their homes by ensuring they have access to needed services.”