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Preparing to leave G.F. Strong
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Learn about the steps in preparing to leave G.F. Strong Rehabilitation Centre. This information is designed to help people participating in the Acquired Brain Injury (ABI), Neuromusculoskeletal or Spinal Cord Injury inpatient programs learn about preparing to leave G.F. Strong.
Every person gets better at different times. Your time at G.F. Strong is just one step in getting better. Remember, rehabilitation does not stop with inpatient rehabilitation; it is an ongoing process that continues after you leave G.F. Strong.
We will start early during your stay to talk about your discharge. There are many things that help to make your discharge successful, so early discussion and planning help. We typically will cover typical topics such as:
- the accessibility of your home,
- your finances,
- your support network, and
- equipment that you may need.
Experts in these areas and topics include your social worker, occupational therapist and physiotherapist.
It is common to have an occupational therapist evaluate accessibility in your home. Your OT will then make recommendations for renovations and equipment.
The process for obtaining the equipment you need does take time and includes identifying what will most likely be needed, demoing some specific pieces, receiving guidance on selecting a vendor, determining if the need is temporary or for a longer period of time, ordering/borrowing and then receiving the equipment and getting it appropriately set up for you.
The team may discuss going on an overnight or weekend pass before you leave G.F. Strong. Leaving G.F. Strong for one or two nights enables you to have a “trial run” at home with the opportunity to problem-solve any issues with your team before you end your inpatient stay.
As you progress through rehab and achieve your goals, the therapists will decrease your 1-on-1 therapy time. Your care team will give you activities that you can do independently. Your therapist’s role will change to guiding and directing rather than hands-on. As you learn more skills, we want you to practice and do more independently.
Only some require ongoing therapy on discharge from G.F. Strong. Depending on your needs, the team will present you with options to assist you with what you can do to maintain your goals and continue your rehab in your community.
Leaving G.F. Strong
When you leave G.F. Strong, you may be returning home or need to follow an alternative plan. You may return to your local community hospital to access local services to aid with your transition to home. You may also move to a new accessible home, or to a more supportive living environment such as an assisted living complex or an extended care home.
For some, the team will advise having a “Plan B” for accommodations in case your home is not ready at discharge, or you have not found permanent housing. So for some, a discharge location may be temporary; for others, it will be your new home. It is important to consider what offers accessibility for you and that you meet your care needs. Unfortunately, the team cannot extend your stay based on housing issues.
On the day of discharge
We ask you to be prepared to leave by 10 a.m. on your last day at G.F. Strong. This will help us prepare for the next patient. Please confirm this with your nurse and unit clerk so that we can have your prescriptions and discharge paperwork ready for you.