Residential Program
The Casey House Residential Program accepts clients with HIV/AIDS for supportive(sub-acute), respite and palliative/end of life care. We provide various types of care as people may be experiencing different stages in their health status and experience various levels of need.
Supportive care: Clients can be admitted for supportive(sub-acute) care, which includes pain management, symptom control, post discharge support, and family support, when the level of care cannot be met by a long-term care facility or with community support. Residential supportive care consists of medical management and specialized nursing care in HIV co-morbidities such as: hepatitis C, lymphoma, HIV related dementia, diabetes, cardiac and psychiatric care. Supportive admissions are generally less than 30 days. Clients may attend ambulatory care clinics at other health care facilities during their stay at Casey House, but may not be dependent on or require active medical treatment from an acute care hospital.
Discharge will occur when supportive care goals are met, or if the client requires a level of care that cannot be met in our residence. Some health conditions may require treatment or equipment not available in the Residential Program, which would make admission inappropriate. This would include clients who require a ventilator or acute psychiatric care.
Our registered nurses work collaboratively within the internal and external interprofessional team. They refer client issues internally to their primary physician, social worker, pastoral counsellor, massage therapist, recreational therapist and volunteer services. The external interprofessional team includes: a nutritionist, infectious diseases physician, psychiatrist, Community Care Access Centre (CCAC) Care Co-ordinator, physiotherapist and occupational therapist. Additional resources are always available through external representation at the interprofessional table, which is driven on an as needed basis. Client care (in the residence) is continuously reviewed and particularly examined once a week at the interprofessional team rounds.
Our residential program offers:
- 24-hour medical care by doctors, nurses and other health care professionals
- the counselling services of a social worker and a pastoral counsellor
- complementary therapies including: massage, chiropractic, aromatherapy, acupuncture and therapeutic touch
- bereavement support
Respite care: One of the beds in the hospice residence is a respite care bed, which allows people to come and live at Casey House for up to 14 days. Respite admissions are pre-booked based on the order of application received, and can be a valuable option when experiencing HIV/AIDS symptoms that require intensive management, or having difficulty adjusting to new medications. A two-week stay in the Hospice, with 24-hour care, is often just what people need to get their health back under control. And, if you're being cared for at home by family or friends, sometimes it's good for you to have a change, and for them to have a break for a week or two. The respite bed can give both you and your caregivers the relief you need.
Palliative/end of life care: Clients with HIV/AIDS requiring end of life care will be admitted to the residence as a priority. Palliative care for these clients includes: pain control and symptom management. Clients who choose to spend their final days at home may be transferred with the support of family and friends, the Home Hospice Program and other services provided by the Community Care Access Centres (CCAC).