The Royal’s new recovery apartment opened in June and has already had clients from The Royal’s Integrated Schizophrenia Recovery Program successfully pass through on their road to recovery.
The Recovery Apartment program is just one part of the continuum of care at The Royal.
“Ultimately we want to help clients live confidently and safely in the community and the apartment is a step towards that for many people,” says Dr. David Attwood, the clinical director of the program. “We are committed to breaking down stigma as our patients progress towards successful functioning in our communities and embark on their personalized recovery journeys.”
The apartment was funded in part with a generous donation from Black & MacDonald.
This innovative environment has all the features typically found in an apartment: a bedroom, a bright living space, a kitchenette, a full bathroom, and a dining area. The apartment is fully furnished and is accessed through a front door that is opened with a swipe card. It is equipped with a TV, telephone, board games, puzzles, and art supplies. Framed photos hang over a modern three-seater couch.
One of the biggest differences from a regular apartment – aside from the fact that it is located on an inpatient unit – is that it was decorated in partnership with clients. Staff and clients worked together to choose the furniture, the paint colours, and even take the photos that decorate the walls.
Clients are referred by the clinical team and live in the apartment for two to four weeks. It is an ideal environment for staff to assess the clients’ skills for independent living and to give support where needed.
“We are committed to breaking down stigma as our patients progress towards successful functioning in our communities and embark on their personalized recovery journeys.”
A typical day in the apartment is like any other on the inpatient unit but there is an added responsibility of taking care of one’s own needs. Clients staying in the apartment keep it clean and tidy, budget and shop for groceries, plan and prepare their own meals, and do their own laundry. Clients are further engaged in their treatment by accessing their medication from the nursing station, and have constant support from nursing staff should the need arise. While living in the apartment, clients continue with their other commitments, including groups and activities in and outside the hospital as well as individual meetings with the health care team.
“The hope is that clients can function in the apartment fairly independently,” says Karen Daley, the director of patient care services for the program. “Often people with schizophrenia develop functional deficits over time with loss of ability to manage self care or live in the community with minimal formal support. This is an opportunity for the occupational therapist to do what they do best… assess their living skills and assess if they are going to be safe in the community, and if not, determine what supports we need to provide them to live at the highest level of independence possible.”
It is early days, but the feedback has been positive from clients at The Royal as well as the staff.
“It’s a really different concept,” says Danielle Frenette, an occupational therapist who was involved in the original grant applications and helped develop the protocol for the apartment. “Our clients have been really excited about it.”
“It’s a significant step in helping to ensure the clients feel safe, confident, and supported after they leave the hospital,” says Frenette.
