Providence Care Occupational Therapist Stephanie Reid has spent the last 10 years helping people navigate the path from illness or injury back to the everyday activities that give life meaning.
For the last 18 months, she has been an important member of Providence Care’s Transitions Home Program, bringing occupational therapy directly into patients' homes.
It's a role that combines two things Stephanie says she values most: supporting recovery and empowering people to make decisions about their own lives.
"People deserve to have autonomy," says Stephanie. "Being able to help someone stay independent, make their own choices and feel confident in their home again is incredibly rewarding."
While occupational therapy can look different for every patient, Stephanie describes it as helping people safely do the things they need, want and enjoy doing every day.
Her work begins when she meets her patients before they leave Providence Care Hospital or Providence Transitional Care Centre, an element of the program unlike most community-based services.
Within 24 to 48 hours of discharge, Stephanie follows up with patients in their own environment, assessing how they move through their space, identifying potential safety concerns and developing individualized care plans that support a safe recovery and greater independence.
"When people are in hospital, a lot is done for them," Stephanie explains. "Then they go home and suddenly they're making meals, doing laundry, managing stairs and getting around their house again. That's when it becomes obvious what supports they need."
Those supports vary from person to person. Some patients may need mobility equipment such as a walker or wheelchair, while others benefit from bathroom equipment, home modifications, or strategies that help them safely manage everyday tasks. Stephanie also helps patients access funding programs, community resources, and services that support their recovery at home.
"Often, it's the little things people don't think about until they're home," says Stephanie. "The toilet is lower than it was in the hospital. The bed is different. There are stairs. Sometimes making small changes or providing the right equipment can make a huge difference."
Those seemingly small adjustments can have a significant impact on a patient's recovery.
“Fall prevention is a huge part of this work,” says Stephanie. “The right supports help people maintain their independence and reduce the risk of injury for both patients and their care partners. It gives people the confidence to do more on their own while lowering the risk of falls and rehospitalization.”
Supporting patients through the Transitions Home Program is a team effort.
Stephanie works alongside a physiotherapist, recreation therapist, social worker and rehabilitation assistant bringing different expertise together to support patients based on their individual goals and recovery needs.
"Our team works really closely together," says Stephanie. "We make sure we're all focused on the patient's goals so that every visit is meaningful and they get the support they need."
The team's reach extends throughout southeastern Ontario. They support patients in communities stretching from Prince Edward County and Brighton to Perth, Smiths Falls and beyond.
"One of my favourite parts is getting to see people in their own environment," says Stephanie. "You see the photos on the wall, the things that are important to them and the life they've built. It's really humbling, and I feel honoured to be welcomed into that part of their lives."
Recently, Stephanie identified a need for a power wheelchair for a patient who had returned home from hospital but was unable to independently propel a manual wheelchair. Working with a vendor, she was able to secure the equipment and quickly saw the difference it made.
"Before, if this patient needed a glass of water or had to move for anything, they had to rely on someone else to help them," recalls Stephanie. "The day I got them into the power wheelchair, I left that visit feeling like, 'This is why I do what I do.'"
As Ontario's population continues to age, more people are seeking care that helps them live well at home and within their communities. Programs like the Transitions Home Program are helping close the gap between hospital and home, providing continuity of care during a critical stage of recovery. Stephanie plays an important role in that work, helping ensure recovery, safety and independence go hand in hand as patients transition back to the routines and activities that give life meaning.