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Toronto Rehab - Advancing Rehabilitation, Enhancing Quality of Life
FAQs
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FAQs for Patients and Families

FAQs for Referring Professionals

Patients and Families

I don't drive. How would I travel to my therapy appointments and how often would I need to attend?
Many of our patients have a spouse or other family or friend drive them to appointments at the day hospital. Other patients travel by Wheel-Trans or taxi. If you qualify for Wheel-Trans service, our staff can assist you in completing the necessary documentation.

We find that two half days a week is ideal for patient therapy. Most patients attend therapy for up to three months.


I'm too old for therapy. Why would I bother?

Our therapists would disagree with you on that point. Patients in our program range in age from 65 to 99. Our services are about helping you be as independent as possible, however you define that. Common goals are often related to managing chronic pain, walking unassisted, managing everyday activities, and continuing with things you love to do.


My parent is a patient in your program. How can I be involved in his/her therapy? Is there help available for family members to cope with the changes?

We encourage family members to be involved in a number of ways; you may attend therapy sessions to learn how to provide support at home once your father is discharged. Families are also involved in the planning of goals and in regular family conferences with staff. You may also choose to talk with the social worker, assigned to your father, to discuss community supports for your father in the home, or in a nursing home if required.


How do you help patients continue to improve once they are discharged?

We believe that therapy learned at Toronto Rehab is simply a dress rehearsal for going home. We equip patients, and their families, with the understanding and knowledge to continue therapy on their own once at home. Many of our patients also continue therapy at Toronto Rehab, or elsewhere, on an outpatient basis. Finally, before a patient is discharged, our team ensures that the patient has the proper supports at home, and in the community, to continue to improve. Patients often go home first on a weekend pass, a type of dry run for the discharge day. Staff will also conduct a home visit, if needed, to make recommendations, and to determine if physical modifications need to be made.


Do your services require a physician's referral?

Not all of our services require a physician's referral. Review our directory of services to determine if the service you need requires a medical referral.


I'm not a young man. Will I be able to keep up with my therapy?

Not a problem because therapy is conducted at your pace. You work one-to-one with a therapist who will encourage you to do your best, but therapy is not a competition. In fact, because your needs and goals are different from those of other patients your rehabilitation program is unique to you.

 

What is your policy on restraints?

Toronto Rehab's policy is to use the minimum level of restraint (both physical and medication) required to ensure the safety of patients. Restraining patients is used only when all other alternatives have been fully exhausted. Restraints are always temporary and used only after an assessment and consultation between the patient, substitute decision-maker and the care team.

If restraints are being considered for your relative, you will be asked to authorize their use. You may ask for and attend a team meeting to discuss the issue.


Do you allow family members to make medical and other decisions on behalf of the patient?

Patients who are capable of making their own health care decisions have the legal right to make informed health care treatment decisions. Patients or their substitute decision-maker can legally consent to, or refuse, treatment once they have been informed of their choices and appreciate the consequences of each choice.

Under the Ontario Health Care Consent Act, patients admitted to this program who are incapable of making health care decisions for themselves or about their own care must have a substitute decision-maker. The substitute decision-maker may be a holder of a continuing Power of Attorney for Personal Guardian. Patients who are capable of making their own health care decisions can also complete an Advance Directive for Health and Personal Care and state in this directive their wishes for future treatment should they become incapable of making such decisions. Toronto Rehab will respect all valid Advance Health Care Directives (AD).

Discussions about treatment decisions will take place upon admission with the attending physician and can be discussed with other members of the team as appropriate. Documentation of treatment decisions will guide the physician and team during the patient's stay on the unit and in the event that the patient requires acute treatment.


Do you allow patients to return home on the weekend?

While this is determined in conjunction with your team, weekend passes are generally available to help you prepare for discharge and to gauge how well you will manage.


My mother wanders. How do you ensure that she is safe on your Alzheimer's unit?

The Geriatric Psychiatry Service is a secure environment for the protection of patients who may wander. The unit is equipped with magnetically secured doors and surveillance cameras for patient safety and security. Upon admission, a photograph of each patient is taken for identification purposes. Each patient also wears a security bracelet that will trigger an alarm when exiting the unit.

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Referring Professionals

What is the average length of stay?

Length of stay varies, but usually is anywhere from four to six weeks on our inpatient units. Before discharge, our team ensures that the individual has the proper level of support in the community. Patients in our outpatient services usually attend therapy for three months.


How long will it take for a patient I refer to be seen?

Wait times vary among our different services though we can usually see a patient within a reasonable period of time. When helping a patient apply please be sure to include all necessary documentation to speed up the referral process.


What services do you offer?

We offer inpatient, outpatient and outreach services for geriatrics with physical, mental, emotional and social problems. For a full list of services and admissions criteria visit our Guidebook for Referring Professionals. All of our services are offered at University Centre located in downtown Toronto.


I have a patient who is not yet a "senior" but who would benefit from your services. Should I refer this person?

Absolutely. If this person meets the criteria in all other ways it is likely he would be accepted. Please speak with the admissions coordinator for more information.


I have a patient who meets the admission criteria but is too frail to complete a rehab program.

Frankly, many of our patients would fit into the frail category. Each patient can benefit from our program in his or her own way. We would recommend that you call an admissions coordinator to arrange an assessment. If this person meets our criteria our team would then develop an individualized therapy program addressing any issues and that builds on remaining strengths.

 

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