Photo Caption: Gilbert and Jocelyne pictured in their Guelph home, while Gilbert undergoes rehabilitation through the GGH@Home program.
When Gilbert was preparing to leave Guelph General Hospital (GGH) after a successful hip surgery, he and his wife Jocelyne were introduced to GGH@Home; a program made possible by the hospital’s partnership with Bayshore Integrated Care Solutions to provide in-home care for patients over the age of 18 with complex health needs after discharge from the hospital.
Instead of being transferred to a rehabilitation facility, the couple was given the option to continue Gilbert’s recovery at home with the support of a care team. It was a decision that made all the difference in his recovery.
“The charge nurse explained how the program worked and that we could have similar supports at home as we would in rehabilitation,” Jocelyne recalled. “That made us feel comfortable with the decision to bring Gilbert home.”
Recovering in a familiar environment has helped Gilbert regain his mobility and independence. With the support of nurses and physiotherapists, he has made significant progress. “He can now shower by himself and needs minimal help getting dressed,” Jocelyne shared. “That’s a big step forward.”
Liana, patient navigator at GGH, highlighted the program’s focus on personalized care, saying, “Our goal is to provide the right level of medical and rehabilitative support in the comfort of a patient’s own environment. Being at home can contribute to faster recovery and help alleviate some of the barriers that can happen when a patient requires frequent visits to the hospital in recovery.”
GGH@Home will provide in-home care for up to 174 patients each year and help open hospital beds for those who need them most.
For Jocelyne, one of the biggest advantages of the program was the support she received as a caregiver. “The front-line staff included me in therapy sessions, so I knew what they were doing and how I could help Gilbert between visits,” she explained. “They also provided their contact information in case I had any questions, which was really reassuring.”
Liana emphasized the importance of this aspect of care, sharing, “We know that recovery isn’t just about the patient, it’s also about making sure caregivers feel supported and empowered. That’s why we include them in the process and provide resources to help them navigate their loved one’s recovery.”
Today, Gilbert continues to make progress. While ongoing circulation issues have presented new challenges, he remains optimistic and engaged in his care. The couple look forward to their home visits and enjoy talking to the team about their concerns and working together to find solutions.
Read more inspiring stories and learn about our progress in the 2024/25 Annual Report: Bridges to the Future. Available now at gghorg.ca/news-announcements/publications.