Neil Thazhamon missed growing up with his grandparents around, but a fulfilling career working with older adults has turned out to be the next best thing. A Registered Social Worker on Waypoint’s Horizon Program for Geriatric Psychiatry, he happily spends his days working to improve the lives of patients experiencing significant mental health and cognitive challenges.
“I always gravitated toward an older population,” said Thazhamon, who launched his career by volunteering at a long-term-care home in high school and during university. “I always had that yearning, having seen other kids with their grandparents.”
In North Simcoe Muskoka, 20.8 per cent of residents are over the age of 65, compared to 18.5 per cent for all of Ontario, and the region’s population is aging at a faster rate than the rest of the province. The 28-bed Horizon program provides a safe, secure and caring environment for people over 65 with Alzheimer’s, dementia or another psychiatric disorder, as well as people under 65 with Alzheimer’s or dementia.
Born in Scarborough, Thazhamon lived most of his life in Toronto before moving to Thunder Bay to study social work at Lakehead University. He never dreamed he would end up working in Penetanguishene, but getting hired after graduation in 2020 was one of the best things that could’ve happened to him. Now 29, he lives in the area and is grateful for the path he has taken: “I love being in a smaller town. The feeling of community, the warmth — I feel it every day.”
North Simcoe is not just a nice place to live. Waypoint’s location is a major plus for patients and families due to the scenic setting overlooking Georgian Bay. The green hills and blue waters send a comforting message of tranquility. Being in a hospital environment can be disorienting and distressing for seniors with dementia, and so maintaining a calm and supportive environment is important for Horizon patients.
“The environment is such a huge part of what makes Horizon special,” said Thazhamon. “To be able to have this calm place — I’ve seen it change the mood of somebody. It’s reassured some of our patients who are worried about being here. Just to see the view tells them they’re going to be OK.”
Horizon patients may face challenges related to thinking, memory, mood and behaviour. Thazhamon works closely with a multidisciplinary team — psychiatrists, psychologists, nurses, occupational therapists, behavioural support workers and recreational therapists — to address complex cases. Waypoint also provides comprehensive physical medical care.
Successfully addressing these complexities is deeply rewarding for Thazhamon. He spends a lot of time seeing patients and tending to their needs. It is not uncommon to spot him accompanying patients on walks on the hospital grounds, and he helps with the swimming program. He plays a key role in shaping individualized care plans that enhance patients’ quality of life, and he works with the team to plan patient discharges home or to other levels of care. By providing education and counselling to families, Thazhamon helps ease the burden on them as loved ones and caregivers. Helping families develop coping strategies and improve communication can strengthen bonds, and seeing these changes is very gratifying for Thazhamon.
“I love being able to meet people and find out what brought them here and who they are,” said Thazhamon. “And then to be useful in their lives somehow — it’s very satisfying.”
Stabilization, safety and quality of life are the goals for most Horizon patients. Thazhamon and his colleagues love seeing a patient transition home or to a setting like a long-term-care facility.
“The word ‘miracle’ isn’t used very often in health care, but we’ve seen patients on Horizon who’ve gone from not being able to speak or care for themselves to being almost the person their family knew prior to their illness,” he said. “Those are the moments you’re hoping for when you’re in class and talking about why you want to do this work; there’s nothing more significant.”