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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.
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, trialling some specific pieces, receiving guidance on selecting a vendor, determining if your 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.
After G.F. Strong
When you leave G.F. Strong, you may be returning home or need to follow an alternative plan. Depending on your health needs, the team may advocate for you to be transferred to your local community hospital to access local services to aid with your transition home, or they may recommend other living arrangements. They will be able to provide information on both private or public care options on services such as home supports, assisted living and extended care.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.
Only some people 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.
On the day of discharge
The days leading up to your discharge date are often busy as we support your transition from G.F. Strong. We know that any transition while, exciting can also feel daunting. This is often a time to solidify your plans, say goodbyes to peers and staff, continue to ask questions and learn. Your team members will finalize their recommendations for you to follow through on.
On your last day, 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 ahead of time, so that we can help ensure you have a plan to have your belongings ready to go, and we can have your prescriptions and discharge paperwork ready for you.
Remember as you near the end of your inpatient stay of all the dedicated work you put into yourself, and the progress you have made. It really is a time to celebrate your hard work and learnings!
Life after G.F. Strong
We hear from many past clients that living with a new condition takes time to adjust to. You have already started this while you’ve been at G.F. Strong. Most people find that the first three weeks after they have left G.F. Strong to be another period of big change, as they adjust back to a different living environment, perhaps a different pace of life and a different routine.
Some tips to help your transition
- Recognize that during this phase you may need a little more rest or down time.
- Get your new routine started slowly. You may find that it will be easier to add more activities into your days as you go, then to be overscheduled before you get home.
- Enjoy the company of those around you, and also be prepared to provide them with input about what works best for you.
- Accept a little help. There may be people around you that are happy to get a few groceries ahead of time for you or take care of a task for you.
- Let others know specifically how they can be of help to you in the upcoming weeks.
- Be gentle with yourself. Use each day as an opportunity to continue learning and to grow from.
- Find connection to others and activities that bring you joy.
We wish the best for you on the next phase of your journey. You are welcome to reach back out to us to share how you are doing via an email update, a short visit or by sharing your care story. Share your care story | Vancouver Coastal Health