Construction complete on Providence Transitional Care Centre

Providence Care’s 64-bed Transitional Care Centre will open this fall, providing care options for caregivers, frail, older adults, and those needing restorative care, awaiting procedures, or living with dementia and associated responsive behaviours.

Located at 340 Union Street, in the Gibson Wing of the former St. Mary’s of the Lake Hospital site, the two-unit facility focuses on transitional care and is scheduled to open on Monday, Oct. 4, 2021. Construction on this project began in October 2020, and, after many months of planning, preparation and unforeseen challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, the facility is now complete, according to a release from Providence Care, dated Tuesday, Aug. 24, 2021.

“We are very excited to open our first 30 bed unit. Providence Transitional Care Centre supports individuals who no longer need acute care, but need a bit more support before they go back home,” explained Laurie French, Regional Director. “Transitional care aims to provide the right level of care for individuals to strengthen and regain their functionality. It also supports their move back to the community or another level of care, so they’re best prepared for success.”

The centre provides increased capacity to help improve health outcomes and quality of life for patients and families through an integrated model of care, with a focus on returning to the community, Providence Care said in the release.

The following transitional care services will be offered:

• Transitional care: for patients after an acute or rehabilitative stay while they prepare for discharge
• Restorative care: helps build strength and stamina for patients to better manage at home or prepare for higher intensity rehabilitation
• Cognitive behavioural support: helps patients manage mild to moderate behavioural and/or cognitive impairment or wandering
• Short-stay respite: for caregivers and frail, older adults who are experiencing fatigue/burnout from providing care for their loved one
• Convalescent care: helps patients maintain strength while awaiting another medical procedure or transition to rehabilitation

“We know our region has a significant gap in the availability of restorative programs and other specialized services for aging, mental health and rehabilitation,” said Diana O’Grady, Patient & Client Care Vice-President. “The centre will not only address some of that need, but also enhance regional services to help patients avoid an emergency department visit or admission. Providence Transitional Care Centre will help support patient flow within acute and sub-acute hospitals, primary care physicians in their practice and ensure individuals receive the right care, in the right place, when they need it.”

With construction complete, teams are now getting trained while the site is being prepared for clinical activation, according to the release. Patients will be admitted gradually to the first 30 bed unit starting the week of October 4. 

“Our organization is passionate about finding new ways to help enhance the quality of life for people across the Southeast region, and this centre will do just that. We have no doubt it will have a significant impact on countless people in our community,” said Cathy Szabo, Providence Care President & CEO. “I would also like to give a special thank you to Queen’s University for believing in our vision to open this one-of-a-kind site.”

More information about Providence Transitional Care Centre’s grand opening will be released in the upcoming weeks.