ALERT CONTENT PLACEHOLDER

Location

Contact

Hours

Location

Contact

Hours

Location

Contact

Hours

Location

Contact

Hours


Referrals

 What We Do

Individuals with childhood-onset disabilities are living longer and a significant number of those individuals require ongoing support as adults to help them stay healthy and active and avoid complications that can lead to health problems or stays in a hospital. The LIFEspan Service is a Nurse Practitioner-led transition service that provides youth who have cerebral palsy or acquired brain injury with a "bridge" between pediatric and adult rehabilitation care. This service uses a consultative model which means the LIFEspan team provides recommendations and coaching instead of continuous, ongoing therapy.

At Holland Bloorview, the LIFEspan team assists youth from approximately 14 to 18 years of age in preparing for the transfer to adult care. After "graduation" at age 18, eligible youth are referred to the adult transitional LIFEspan Service at UHN-Toronto Rehab for a single access point for specialized rehabilitation.

Self-management is a key principle of this model, focusing on helping youth and their caregivers develop skills to manage their own care and navigate the adult system, with the ultimate goal of transitioning to services within their local community. Youth will be ready to graduate from the LIFEspan Service at UHN-Toronto Rehab and fully transition into their local community when they have met their rehab goals and/or all available resources and education have been offered. This transition typically occurs around age 30.

Services

UHN-Toronto Rehab offers a wide range of services to meet the needs of people with disabilities. LIFEspan refers and collaborates with Home and Community Care Support Services (HCCSS), primary care providers (family doctors and nurse practitioners) and other care and support agencies. Available services may include:

  • Nutrition counselling
  • Spasticity management
  • Pain management
  • Speech-language therapy consultation
  • Mobility consultation
  • Short-term supportive counselling
  • Development of independent living skills such as cooking, learning to drive, managing finances and accessing the public transit system

 What to Expect During Your Appointment


What to Expect

You will be contacted with information about your first appointment.

What to Bring

Please bring the following to your appointment. Not all of these items may be needed for your appointment. Our clinic or your referring doctor will let you know what you must bring.

  • Your referring doctor may have given you a CD or DVD of previous imaging results (like X-rays, CT scans or MRIs). If so, it is very important to bring this CD or DVD with you.
  • List of all medications you are taking, including prescriptions, over-the-counter, vitamins or mineral supplements and herbal remedies.
  • Medications that you need to take during the day. Please also bring any medical equipment you use.
  • Notes about any changes in your condition since your last visit.
  • A trusted friend or family member who can give you emotional support and help you.
  • A list of doctors and hospitals you've seen in the past who may have information about your treatment.
  • A list of questions to help you remember everything you want to ask.

When You Arrive

Please arrive 15 minutes before your appointment.

When you arrive, you will sign in with the receptionist. You will need your health card (OHIP card) to sign in.

How Long Will Your Appointment Be?

First appointments take longer than follow-up appointments. Your first appointment may take 2 hours or more. Follow-up appointments may take 30 minutes to 3 hours depending on how many providers you see. We do everything we can to stay on time but sometimes unforeseen circumstances may delay your appointment.

Before You Leave

At the end of your first appointment, you will receive a contact list for your health care team. After every appointment, a member of your health care team will tell you about your next visit.

About Phone Calls

We understand that reaching us by phone can sometimes be difficult. We make every effort to return your call in a timely manner.

 Materials and Resources to Help You

Toronto Rehab is dedicated to the role of educating patients and families. Whether you want to make sense of your condition or learn more about general health topics that matter to you most, our resources can help you find the information you are looking for.

Top Health Information Links

Patient & Families Services

You can also find other services throughout UHN. Learn more about patient and family services available throughout UHN.

People who come to LIFEspan benefit from the expertise of a wide range of skilled rehabilitation professionals who work together. Some team members work at both Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital and UHN-Toronto Rehab to provide a reassuring, familiar face and to help coordinate the transfer of your care. The LIFEspan team includes a:

  • Nurse practitioner
  • Consulting physiatrist (a doctor specializing in rehabilitation medicine)
  • Occupational therapist/vocational specialist
  • Physiotherapist
  • Social worker
  • Speech-language pathologist
  • Youth facilitator
  • Future Care Initiative

 Future Cares Program

Future Cares logo  

Contact

Phone: 416 597 3422 ext. 5308

Email: futurecares@uhn.ca

Hours

Monday – Friday
8:30 am – 4:30 pm


Referrals

Referral is from the LIFEspan Clinic only.

About Us

As an extension of the LIFEspan Service, we would like to introduce the new Future Cares Initiative. This initiative supports clients and their families as they envision, voice and plan for their future. Areas of focus include housing, finances, building meaningful social and recreational connections, managing health conditions and disability as one ages, estate planning and other legal considerations. Support in these areas is offered in a variety of ways including one-to-one support, groups, workshops and other events.

Our Team

The Future Cares Program Team includes:

  • Social Worker
  • Community Support Worker
  • Project Manager​
Quicklinks
Back to Top