The Virtual Behavioural Medicine (VBM) program treats people living with dementia who are at risk of harm to self and/or others due to behaviours associated with dementia. Launched in February 2020, it is a collaboration between the Sam and Ida Ross Memory Clinic at Baycrest and the Toronto Central Behavioural Support for Seniors Program (TC-BSSP).

The interprofessional VBM team works in partnership with the person living with dementia and their care team (e.g., family, caregivers, physicians, nurse practitioners, social workers and community health care professionals).  The treatment consists of pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions to mitigate challenging behaviours. It takes place through virtual visits over the secure Ontario Telemedicine Network.

In 2022, a study published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease found that the VBM program can reduce the need for hospital admissions by up to 60 per cent, alleviating pressure on the health system for acute care beds.