In New Brunswick, over 77,000 individuals aged 75+ live in private residences, retirement homes, special care homes (SCHs), and nursing homes (NHs). While NH residents often have the highest healthcare needs, SCH residents also face multiple health challenges. SCHs, which are privately owned and for-profit, typically lack regular physician or nurse practitioner care and after-hours medical support, leading many residents to rely on community-based providers. Around 20-30% of SCH residents may not have a primary care provider.

This research has shown that ED visits are higher among older adults in SCHs, with more than 30% visiting the ED at least once per year. However, the reasons for these visits, whether they are avoidable, and how they compare to visits by NH residents are not well understood. This study will analyze all ED visits by SCH residents in Horizon Health Network during 2023, investigating visit frequency, reasons, admissions, and potential for avoidance. The findings could help improve care models for SCH residents, reducing unnecessary ED visits and hospitalizations and enabling residents to age in place.   This research project received the Dalhousie University Advancement Funding Grant in the amount of $19,175. Dr. Pamela Jarrett from the Division of Geriatric Medicine was a co-applicant (not pictured).  This research study began in November 2024, with results expected by the end of April 2025.

L to R: Dr. Paul Atkinson acting as Assistant Dean of research; Dr. Kavish Chandra, Research Director DMNB ED; Catherine Yuill, Executive Director of Advancement, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University at the Riverside Golf and Country Club for the Annual DMNB “Taste of Research” event in November 2024.