There’s no place like home to receive care after one leaves the hospital. Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care is the first hospital in Ontario to offer an at-home program focused on specialized mental health and addiction care for individuals who no longer need the level of care provided in the hospital, but still require additional care to safely return home or to a community setting.
Keeping pace with an increased need for care while also addressing service gaps within the health care system requires the leadership, innovation and expertise of many partners. Our new Waypoint At Home program is a great example of how we’re working with partners to better meet patient needs and help more people access care.
Dr. Nadiya Sunderji, Waypoint President and CEO
Waypoint At Home offers eligible patients between eight and 16 weeks of care in their homes following a hospital stay. The program provides timely access to expert and compassionate care for individuals who require the specialized mental health and addiction services provided in hospital. The program, delivered in partnership with Bayshore HealthCare Integrated Care Solutions, brings the support of mental health and addiction specialists, nurses, behaviour therapists, behaviour support workers, personal support workers and social workers to patients in their homes after discharge from hospital.
An At Home Care Co-ordinator meets with patients and their families while they’re still in the hospital to discuss their care needs and how the program can benefit them. Individualized services may include care co-ordination, professional care and treatment, personal support services, and homemaking or community support services.
Even though a hospital stay may be necessary, it can also be difficult to be away from home in unfamiliar surroundings. The Waypoint At Home program helps us provide the right care, at the right time and in the right place, where patients can feel most comfortable to continue on their journey to recovery.
Rhonda Johnstone, Waypoint Director of Outpatient and Rehabilitation Services
As we continue to support our community in various settings, such as group homes, we are also collaborating with other community resources like Waypoint’s mobile mental health team. This strategy aims to prevent unnecessary emergency department visits and additional admissions. It highlights Bayshore’s dedication to addressing the unique needs of this population through innovative solutions.