New program in Alliston helps seniors transition out of hospital
Alliston's Stevenson Memorial Hospital (SMH) is partnering with a local senior's home to provide patients who no longer need acute care a transition out of the hospital.
Riverwood Senior Living Retirement Residence and Home and Community Care Support Services have joined forces with the hospital to create a transitional care program – funded by Ontario Health Central.
Eligible patients will be transitioned out of the hospital and into the retirement home, receiving additional rehabilitative services while waiting for a permanent bed at home or a long-term care facility.
Riverwood Senior Living homes a four-bed transitional care unit, offering patients care for up to 90 days free of charge.
"This is an excellent opportunity for our patients to continue to receive support and additional health care services close to home while alleviating bed capacity pressures in our inpatient units," said Julia Mullen, SMH's chief nursing executive and VP clinical services.
"At times, up to 20 per cent of inpatient beds at SMH are occupied by ALC (alternate level of care) patients. We are proud to be a part of this program that supports our patients, community and local partners."
Those eligible will be identified by SMH's care coordinator/discharge planner in consultation with the inpatient unit physician and team.
Patient services include physiotherapy, occupational therapy and PSW support.
"We are pleased to host the transitional care unit at Riverwood Senior Living and provide a comfortable environment for those in need of additional rehabilitation services while waiting to transfer home or find a permanent location," said Ruth Green, Riverwood Senior Living's general manager.
"Our residence offers the space, amenities and additional support that these patients will benefit from as they continue their care journey."
More information about the program is being provided to eligible patients and families at SMH.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Budget 2023 prioritizes pocketbook help and clean economy, deficit projected at $40.1B
In the 2023 federal budget, the government is unveiling continued deficit spending targeted at Canadians' pocketbooks, public health care and the clean economy.

Freeland's green economy spending aimed at competing with U.S. Inflation Reduction Act
Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland says clean energy and green technology spending may not have been the big-ticket items of the 2023 federal budget if it weren’t for the need to compete with infrastructure spending in the United States.
Federal government capping excise tax on alcohol after outcry
The increase in excise duties on all alcoholic products is being temporarily capped at two per cent starting next month instead of a planned 6.3 per cent increase.
opinion | The gun control debate in America has been silenced
In the wake of another deadly mass shooting in America, that saw children as young as nine years old shot and killed, the gun control debate is going nowhere, writes CTV News political analyst Eric Ham.
Was Stonehenge a giant calendar? New research suggests maybe not
Stonehenge's purpose has long been a mystery, with some researchers proposing that it may have been an ancient solar calendar. But now, new analysis suggests the calendar theory is unsubstantiated.
Kids would rather learn from smart robots than less-smart humans: new study
A new study published by Canadian researchers suggests that kindergarten-age children would rather be taught by a competent robot than an incompetent human.
‘Using waste material makes sense’: Mysterious artist Junko turns trash into giant sculptures
A mysterious, Montreal-based street artist named Junko is generating buzz in Metro Vancouver with futuristic, bug-like sculptures made from old car parts, scrap metal and tossed out shoes.
New research finds subtle brain changes in pre-symptomatic Alzheimer’s patients
A new peer-reviewed study from the Medical University of South Carolina report in Brain Connectivity has found individualized brain fingerprints which can help diagnose early Alzheimer's disease.
Hamilton family raising awareness about Strep A after sudden death of toddler
A Hamilton, Ont., family is hoping to raise awareness about Strep A after the tragic death of their two-year-old.