1. Helping Hands Transitional Bed Program
Presented by
Terri Soukup, VP of Operations
Helping Hands, Orillia

2. Background of Transitional Bed Program
Started in 2008 as respite and vacation rooms
Evolved to one transitional bed in Hillcrest Lodge, Orillia (assisted living for seniors in need) with a vision of clients transitioning into Hillcrest for permanent residence
Due to the success the program, the four remaining vacation rooms were converted into Transitional Beds and one more was added at Hillcrest for a total of 6 beds at each of the 3 Supportive Housing sites

3. Background Cont’d
The term alternative level of care (ALC) is a clinical designation that identifies patients who no longer require the intensity of resources provided in their current settings and who are waiting for ALC. (Can Fam Physician Journal, v.55(8); 2009 Aug, PMC )
Due to success of transitional beds and very high ALC rates, Orillia Soldiers Memorial Hospital (OSMH) invited Helping Hands (HH) to attend their ALC round table to assist with discharge planning in a timely fashion
The need for more beds with more flexible criteria became evident
Both organizations began to explore the potential for leveraging HH Transitional Beds further, to help address the ALC issue

4. Why Helping Hands?
Helping Hands has over 40 years of experience offering senior care in the community and has extensive experience in providing supportive housing, working with frail seniors and operating Transitional Beds in the community. It also maintains a close working relationship with OSMH
Helping Hands has developed and demonstrated an effective Transitional Bed model in the region with strong client-centred outcomes

5. Why Transitional Beds?
Evidence demonstrates 1 in 4 patients in acute care beds would be better served in the community with a holistic approach centred on palliative care
Helping Hands, OSMH and North Simcoe Muskoka Hospice Palliative Care Network envisioned a cost-effective solution
In 2016, a new 6 bed pilot, funded by the NSM LHIN, opened in Brechin and in early 2017, was permanently funded with 9 beds.

6. The Model
The Transitional Bed program provides a non-medical approach to community based assisted living which offers the following services:
Supportive Transitional Bed support 24 hours a day, for up to 6 months
Personal Support Services including dressing, personal hygiene, assisting with mobility, assisting and monitoring medication use and other routine activities of living.
May require symptom management
Meal preparation
Care Coordination including coordinating all elements of care

7. Expanded Transitional Bed Model
The Transitional Care beds have had a very positive impact on reducing ALC rates at OSMH. This prompted new discussions between Helping Hands and Royal Victoria Hospital in Barrie. Consequently, 12 new beds opened in Barrie in December 2017.
In 2017, Helping Hands was awarded the homemaking contract in Muskoka (formerly provided by Red Cross) as well as the Personal Support Service by Community Support Service contract, bringing the organization into the region with all the experience, programs and services it offers

8. Our Service Area City of Orillia Township of Ramara Township of Severn
Township of Oro-Medonte
City of Barrie

9. 2236 O’Neill Street Brechin

12. The Service
In collaboration with Hospice Muskoka and the North Simcoe Muskoka Hospice Palliative Care Network, we will be able to offer symptom management, palliative education, and nursing consultation.
Residents will have a palliative score of no less than 60% when admitted and may determine Palliative Residence as their destination goal for discharge.
Residents who are admitted as palliative and who wish to return home can be assisted by Hospice Muskoka to determine the best options to accomplish and training for informal caregivers

13. Expected Outcomes
Increasing the number of patients that return home and reduce requirements for re-admission to hospital
Decrease in ALC beds occupied of Muskoka Algonquin Health Care
Provide viable palliative care transitional capacity in the community; the right service for the clients’ required needs
Client satisfaction
Seamless Care Coordination

14. Expected Outcomes
Additionally, these transitional beds provide exceptional versatility for care coordinators, providing viable and responsive options for respite/caregiver relief.
Coordinators are able to provide temporary care in these beds for clients whose caregivers need a break from their informal care obligations, a responsive option for more effective monitoring of clients with infections, post surgeries, post falls, etc.

15. At a recent meeting, Muskoka Algonquin Health Care Chief Executive Officer, Natalie Bubela enthusiastically endorsed the project in principal, siting it as a long term solution to their current over crowding and high ALC rates.

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