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Whitehall Boca’s innovative Transitions Program allows patients who are soon to return home a practical way to hone their skills in an environment that simulates the real-world conditions they’ll actually encounter in their own homes and communities.
The program, developed by a team of professional therapists, educators, and nurses, was designed to address the needs of people who were totally independent and have the potential to return to self-reliant lifestyles once again. Indeed, many participants either lived alone entirely, or with only occasional help from a friend or family member.
To give patients the strongest possible feel for their capabilities after recovery at Whitehall, the program includes two essential components, which generally take place during the patient’s last week with us.
The first component involves practice sessions in a specially designed room that emulates a real-world home setting. The room looks much like a small apartment or condo, and includes a complete kitchen, bedroom area, and bathroom setting. Under the supervision of a therapist, patients practice their independence through a variety of everyday tasks.
For instance, the kitchen includes a refrigerator, stove, microwave, coffee maker and other routine implements one might find in a home. There, program participants make coffee, prepare actual meals and wash their dishes. In the bedroom area, they have the opportunity to practice getting in and out of bed, making the bed, and even setting a bedside clock.
Finding strength and confidence through real-world activities — just like at home.
Their practice continues in the bathroom area, where they rehearse how best to safely step in and out of the shower or tub. A therapist is always with them to monitor their activities and assist if need be.
The second component involves real outings with a therapist. Patients might, for example, prepare a grocery list in advance, then visit a local grocery store where they pick out the items on their list, go through check-out, and verify that they received the correct change.
Of course, education is an important part of any recovery effort and Whitehall makes sure to include that as well. Not only does a nurse educator work with patients to make sure they thoroughly understand their medications, but we give them a convenient card on which they can note their medications and medical history for quick reference. Upon successful completion of the program, we also provide them with a variety of educational materials, such as community and leisure resources.
The program works not only because therapists can better evaluate their patient’s functional and cognitive abilities during each step, but because in the process of doing for themselves, participants develop confidence in their ability to use the skills they developed in therapy to once again be independent.
It’s no small thing to reclaim independence after an illness or surgery, and when patients graduate from our Transitions Program we recognize their achievement in a small ceremony, complete with a certificate, bag of goodies, and photo with their therapists.
We’re proud of our Transitions Program and the many patients who have already graduated from it. At your convenience, please come for a tour and see why there really is a difference at Whitehall Boca.
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