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Other Health Services
Occupational Therapy - Rehabilitation Services
Health Care Professionals - Transitional Care Unit (TCP)/Complex
Continuing Care Unit
Occupational Therapy provides service and programming to
these two areas in the organization. In both areas, the patient
population is predominantly geriatric and patients are referred
to these units due to their long term or complex care needs.
Patients present with a wide variety of neurological, musculoskeletal
and/or medical diagnoses, a clinical situation which demands
a very wholistic approach which includes assessment/intervention
of physical/social/cognitive capabilities and level of personal
independence. In both clinical areas, Occupational Therapy
functions within a multidisciplinary team discussing the
assessment, care plans, interventions and discharge goals/recommendations
(TCP), so that a comprehensive approach to patient care is
provided.
Transitional Care Program
Patients admitted to the Transitional Care Unit are those
patients requiring a slower stream rehabilitation. Discharge
destinations may vary from home to a retirement home to a
nursing home facility.
The Occupational Therapist provides a comprehensive assessment
of the patient’s physical and cognitive abilities;
occupational performance areas, including personal care,
productivity and leisure; and home environment.
Practising within a client-centred approach, interventions
are provided to address the identified deficit areas and
assist the patient to resume functional independence; educate
patients, families and staff regarding a patient’s
abilities, limitations and care needs; assist in the discharge
process by providing information on assistive equipment,
community supports and services and safety at home as appropriate;
and use of day/overnight passes to verify patient’s
ability to manage in the community.
Many of the patients admitted to TCP face a long term compromise
of their functional independence, and it is through Occupational
Therapy interventions that these patients learn to make the
necessary physical, cognitive and emotional adjustments in
their changing abilities and lifestyles.
Continuing Care Service
The Continuing Care Service is a large patient care area
designated as a chronic care level facility, where the patients
are in fact residents of the unit. Though Occupational Therapy
staffing is limited on this unit, the role is a significant
one, due to the specialized, complex needs of these residents.
The Occupational Therapist acts as a consultant providing
limited therapy intervention:
- Consultation by teaching, supporting and organizing
resources for patients, their families and staff to understand
and implement those interventions, activities or equipment
that may enhance the quality of that resident’s
life.
- Consultation regarding positioning, the need for
assistive devices, splinting, and seating and wheelchair
needs
- Consultation and education about environmental
modification to increase a resident’s independence,
reduce confusion or agitation.
- Consultation and liaison with external resources
and agencies that offer specialized services around communication
devices, custom equipment and community programs that
will support a higher level of independence.
- Based on assessment, opportunities exist to work
on problem-solving, visual neglect, sequelae following
neurological injury.
- Based on assessment, opportunities exist to increase
physical stamina and physical strength so residents can
continue with independence with transfers, meals, wheelchair
mobility
and being active on the unit.
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