Changes coming to Glenrose rehab program

A group-delivered rehabilitation program designed to help seniors recover from serious injuries is about to undergo some changes, drawing criticism from some former patients.

"If it’s not broken, don’t fix it. It’s as simple as that," said former patient Ken Post.

The START Medicine Day Program (Short Term Assessment, Rehabilitation and Treatment) has been running for 30 years at the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital. Post credits the way the program is run with his recovery, treating his recovery as a mind and body matter. He says the group interaction was key.

"It got me back in the world again," said Post, who was admitted to the program as he recovered from complications from pneumonia. "It’s got me away from the TV set, it’s got me thinking again and building again."

But this September treatment will begin to be focused on individual needs, allowing for more people to be treated.

"We actually think that there’s a greater need to make the service available for a greater number of people," said Glenrose director Grace Maeir, who insists the changes aren’t about cutting costs.

Maeir explains that currently all patients receive the same treatment ‘package,’ regardless of their need, and that for some patients it’s more than they need.

"We would like to make it more targeted so it’s the best use of the individuals time and the best use of our therapists’ time," Maeir said.

Post’s biggest fear is that future patients will be shortchanged, and that their treatment won’t provide the same “˜new start’ it provided him.

“They’re saying they’ll still treat the whole person, but how can you treat a whole person in a half hour or an hour at a time?,” he said.

With files from Vassy Kapelos.