For many years, CAH has worked with Reflet Salvéo and the LHINs serving the Greater Toronto Area to develop a continuum of care for Francophones to ensure equitable access when and where support is needed. The Reintegration Care Unit (RCU) is an essential part of this continuum, and the logical continuation of an approach initiated by CAH 40 years ago, to ensure the well-being of French-speaking seniors.
Since September 2018, the Francophone community has had access to two small private rooms in Place Saint-Laurent, in a new respite and reintegration care unit managed by CAH and exclusively reserved for Francophones residing in the City of Toronto.
Centres d’Accueil Héritage adds a vital Francophone service to the health continuum!
Who needs the Reintegration Care Unit?
The new transition unit meets the needs of hospitalized seniors who no longer require the intensive resources and services of a hospital but cannot return home immediately due to a lack of support services or adaptations needed to ensure their autonomy and safety on site.
CAH case managers conduct a joint assessment with hospital care coordinators allowing eligible seniors to access another level of care until they are able to return home safely. Through this process, hospitals can refer their French-speaking clients to CAH’s French-language RCU.
The nature of CAH’s reintegration care
CAH’s respite and reintegration care unit includes two small private rooms with a transition bed. The unit provides a walk-in shower and fully accessible toilet. Clients in this unit receive 24-hour supportive care provided by a team of Francophone personal support workers. Depending on their needs and capacity, these clients can also benefit from the programs and services offered in French by CAH (personal care, support and assistance in navigating the health system and community support service network, as well as physical and cognitive activation either in our ADP or one-on-one.
Reintegration Care Unit costs
This initiative is fully subsidized and therefore free of charge for the client. Established with the support of the Toronto Central LHIN, the Francophone Reintegration Care Unit is now an integral part of a larger initiative in the City of Toronto, supported by the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, to facilitate this type of transition from hospital to home.