At Scarborough Health Network (SHN), we believe that caring for seniors is our privilege. This Seniors Month, we proudly celebrate the remarkable strides our Seniors Health program has made in delivering compassionate, evidence-based care to older adults across our hospitals and out in our community.
Recognition for our excellence
A cornerstone of this progress is our commitment to the Institute for Healthcare Improvement’s (IHI) Age-Friendly Health Systems framework. In April 2025, SHN achieved Level 1 IHI Recognition, a significant milestone that acknowledges our dedication to implementing the 4Ms of age-friendly care: What Matters, Medication, Mentation, and Mobility. This recognition reflects the hard work of our interprofessional teams who have embedded these principles into daily practice across inpatient units.
One of the most impactful initiatives supporting this work is End PJ Paralysis, which encourages patients to get up, get dressed, and get moving. By promoting early mobility, we help prevent functional decline and support faster recovery. Outcomes show consistent progress with patients being mobilized out of bed, a key metric in our End PJ Paralysis efforts. This initiative aligns with the provincial Ministry of Health’s recent themes for Seniors Month, centred around – Fit, Active and Healthy Seniors.
The IHI also took notice of our work to help to improve senior patient outcomes and reduce returns to hospital after discharge. This includes programs such as SHN@Home, which is delivered in partnership with Bayshore Healthcare to support patients who require continued restorative care after a hospital stay; the launch of a new post-discharge clinic that offers follow-up care to assist patients in maintaining their care plan and medical instructions in the first seven days after leaving the hospital; and a focus on transitions in care driven by our Behaviour Support Transition Team who work tirelessly to get patients with responsive behaviours back home again.
We’re looking to level-up!
We are also actively working toward Level 2 IHI Recognition, which requires sustained evidence and reporting to IHI on how we are delivering all 4Ms to our senior patients. From asking our patients what matters most to them to conducting timely medication reviews that align with patients’ goals, every action brings us closer to our goal of being recognized for Committed to Care Excellence.
Celebrate with us this Seniors Month
Seniors are the heart of Scarborough’s community, bringing wisdom, resilience, and a rich legacy that continues to shape our vibrant culture. At SHN, we take immense pride in caring for our older adults with compassion, respect, and a deep commitment to their health and well-being.
This month, we are celebrating our achievements with pop-up information booths and engagement activities. These events not only highlight our progress but also reaffirm our shared commitment to making SHN a leader in senior-friendly care. Come and join us at Centenary for our next event on Tuesday, June 17.
