Resource
Preparing for your inpatient stay at G.F. Strong
Learn how to prepare for your inpatient stay at the G.F. Strong Rehabilitation Centre and what to expect when you arrive. This information is designed to help people participating in the Acquired Brain Injury (ABI), Neuromusculoskeletal or Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) inpatient programs prepare for their stay.
Moving to G.F. Strong from hospital
When you move to G.F. Strong from the hospital, your care team will plan to transfer you through an inter-hospital transit vehicle. The team will help you bring any belongings you have in the hospital with you, and you may find you'll want someone to bring additional items from your home. If you come to G.F. Strong from your home, you are responsible for arranging your transportation and bringing your belongings.
Mental health and well-being
Your health condition affects many different areas of your life. The change is often very sudden. In a crisis, there can be lots of uncertainty and it’s natural to have questions about the future. You may be filled with sadness and anxiety about the future. These feelings are normal when dealing with major change and the unknown.
However, if this emotional state persists and interferes with your ability to participate in and enjoy social activities, it may be a condition like depression or clinical anxiety. There are treatment options, so talking to your care team about it is important.
Peers and rehab staff can all assist you with your questions and concerns.
Some of these questions may be upsetting or even frightening. You may find working towards practical solutions to your new challenges helpful.
People often ask questions like:
- Will I recover?
- How long might this take?
- Why me?
- Will I walk?
- Will I have to depend on others?
- How will this affect my family life and relationships?
- What about sex?
- Will I be able to live in my home?
- What about my job and finances?
The answers differ for each person and may only become clear with time. Your journey will involve discovering your answers and learning from others. Talking it over can help you find solutions and realize that you’re not alone in dealing with this.
Arriving at G.F. Strong
When you arrive, you will meet with the unit clerk, and then a nurse will show you your room.
During your first day, your Nurse, Occupational Therapist (OT) and Physiotherapist (PT) will meet with you. They will begin setting up and loaning you the equipment you need. A dietitian will also meet with you within your first couple of days. You may also meet with other team members.
You will see a doctor within a day of your arrival, and then the doctors will meet with you regularly throughout your stay. It can be helpful to write down your questions to have ready when you meet with them.
During your first week, the team will learn about you (as well as what you can do, what you have trouble with, and why that may be.) They will work with you to start setting goals for your inpatient rehab stay. A schedule for you will begin evolving over the first few days as staff meet you.
Hospital information
As a Vancouver Coastal Health hospital, G.F. Strong Rehabilitation Centre is committed to providing high-quality, culturally-safe care. We have provided a few examples of key information for you and your family.
Find all information for VCH sites in the VCH Patients and visitors information.
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Preparing for a stay at a VCH hospital
Learn what to bring to the hospital and general planning information when staying at a VCH hospital.
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Travel and accommodation assistance
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Frequently asked questions
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Who will be on my care team?
You and your significant others are the centre of your rehab team. Whether you are an inpatient or outpatient, you will have a G.F. Strong care team to provide the support you need. Depending on your specific needs and objectives, the team that works with you may include many or a few of the members below. You are encouraged to ask your team members questions at any time.
- Care aids
- Care Management Leader / Coordinator (CML / CMC)
- Clinical Associate (hospital-based General Practitioner) we use Hospitalist
- Creative Arts Therapist
- Dietitian
- Equipment Specialist
- Music Therapist
- Nurses – Registered nurses and Licensed practical nurses
- Occupational Therapist (OT)
- Patient Care Coordinator (PCC)
- Patient Service Manager (PSM)
- Peer mentor (Spinal cold program)
- Pharmacist
- Physiotherapist (PT)
- Physiatrist (rehabilitation specialist doctor) (Dr)
- Psychologist
- Psychiatrist
- Psychometrist
- Rehab Assistant (RA/PTA/OTA/ SLPA) our site uses RA, PTRA, OTRA and SLPA ( though this may be nuanced)
- Recreation therapist (Rec T)
- Residents and Medical students
- Respiratory Therapist (RT)
- Sexual Health Clinician
- Social Worker (SW)
- Social Work Assistant (SWA)
- Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP)
- Spiritual Care Practitioner (SCP)
- Transition Services Team (TST)
- Unit Clerk
- Vocational Rehab Counselor
- Wheelchair Service technicians
- Wound Care Nurse