Terry Sullivan
Terry Sullivan, Occupational Therapist,
Gardenview
Terry explained that Gardenview is located within the RMH Royal Park Campus in Parkville. Gardenview provides inpatient rehabilitation and restorative services to younger people who have an Acquired Brain Injury (ABI). It is not a long term Residential facility. It is designed to provide inpatient care for clients who are unable to have their rehabilitation program provided at home due to their complex care needs. The facility has 3 short stay beds and 21 Residential care beds.
At the end of the maximum length of stay (2 years), residents are expected to leave Gardenview and take up long term living arrangements in other facilities such as Supported Accommodation services or Residential care facilities or at home with supports. If the client goals are achieved and the discharge destination is ready, clients can be discharged prior to the 2 years maximum length of stay.
Terry has worked there for seven years. He said he is impressed with the resilience of many patients and their families but said often it is difficult when a client has a catastrophic brain injury. The challenge for all is to remain positive and treatment over 2 years can show a big improvement, varying from patient to patient. After a client leaves Gardenview, there are the challenges of what to do next. Many clients want to return to work, if not in their former jobs then in another capacity and to live as independently as possible and trying to meet these needs is a constant challenge for funding.