Geriatrics

Geriatric Day Hospital

There is a Geriatric Day Hospital at both Maria Middelares General Hospital and St Vincent General Hospital in Deinze.

Older patients there have the opportunity to schedule several examinations, consultations, therapies and/or rehabilitation activities on the same day. By consolidating these contacts with our various care providers, you, as an older patient, no longer need to visit our hospital multiple times. You can access the Geriatric Day Hospital from your home as well as from a residential care centre.

An interdisciplinary team is ready to offer help. Depending on your personal needs, you will be seen in our Geriatric Day Hospital by geriatric nurses, occupational therapists, physical therapists, psychologists, speech therapists and/or Social Services staff. All these care providers are led by our geriatric specialists.

If you cannot attend your appointment at the Geriatric Day Hospital, please notify the hospital in a timely manner on +32 (0)9 246 42 50 (Ghent) or +32 (0)9 387 72 67 (Deinze).

You can visit our Geriatric Day Hospital for the following diagnostic and/or therapeutic purposes:

  • Evaluation of your overall functioning
  • Evaluation of geriatric problems, such as incontinence and issues with eating and swallowing
  • Examination and evaluation of cognitive problems (e.g. memory, orientation, language skills)
  • Temporary rehabilitation not addressed in other care programmes (physical and cognitive training through the rehabilitation programme 'Cognufit', with involvement of the informal carer)
  • Technical examinations, e.g. medical imaging (X-ray, NMR or CT scan, isotopic studies)
  • Pre-operative examinations (e.g. IKV TAVI or ‘Invasive Quality Verification for Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation’) and evaluation
  • Minor technical or nursing operations, such as replacing a cystofix (tube), wound care, administration of intravenous medication and blood products
  • Second opinion as part of a surgical procedure, admission to a residential care centre
  • Evaluation and advice on your social situation
  • Evaluation and risk detection of falls
  • Participation in our fall prevention programme.

Admission to our Geriatric Day Hospital is only possible at the request of the GP or physician-specialist. You can submit a request online via eForm, available in each GP's global medical record and for Maria Middelares General Hospital and St Vincent General Hospital in Deinze. The request is then processed as quickly as possible by the Internal Liaison Nurse in consultation with the geriatric specialist.

Following the GP's request, the team at our Geriatric Day Hospital will schedule an appointment. The nurse will contact you to provide you with the necessary information.

If you come to the hospital, it is best to be accompanied by an companion. Upon arrival at the hospital, you may report to the Admissions Department (reception). If you come to the day hospital, after registration you will be referred to the Geriatric Day Hospital on the fourth floor (gate D) in Ghent or on the second floor in Deinze. The nurse will wait for you there and guide you further.

The occupational therapist and/or nurse will ask some questions to get the best possible understanding of your health status. A detailed medical history is taken, medication is checked and the physician conducts a clinical examination. Throughout the day, you will be escorted to the scheduled examinations and/or receive the necessary treatment. If necessary, you will receive a meal during your day admission.

If necessary, a preliminary medical discharge letter, an updated medication list and any certificates can be provided. The final results will be sent to your GP.

To make your visit to the Geriatric Day Hospital as smooth as possible, we ask that you bring the following items:

  • identity card
  • Medication to take on the day itself
  • Current medication schedule
  • Letter of referral from GP or physician
  • Walking aids (crutches, walker, walker, cane), if necessary
  • Glasses and hearing aids, if necessary