After a brain injury, people can go through a number of different stages of medical treatment and care. If the person requires hospitalization after a brain injury they will be admitted to an acute care hospital where the doctors address the urgent medical issues and the person begins the rehabilitation process.

The rehabilitation process is not the same for everyone. Some people are able to be discharged relatively quickly from hospital and others will need to participate in an inpatient rehabilitation program before they are able to go home.

Rehabilitation is provided in three settings:

• Inpatient - For patients admitted to a hospital bed. Rehabilitation may take place in a community, acute teaching or rehabilitation hospital, depending on the needs of the patient.
  
  
• Outpatient (also known as Day Hospital or Ambulatory Care) - For individuals who can travel to the hospital for each rehabilitation session.
  
  
• Community (or Home-Based Service) - When the rehabilitation professional comes to the individual's home or place of residence, usually because the individual cannot travel to the hospital or outpatient clinic.
  

The Toronto ABI Network manages all the referrals from acute care to inpatient ABI rehabilitation to day hospital and to community programs which are funded through the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, and are located in the Greater Toronto Area.

If you have any questions about what resources are available or appropriate you can speak to the social worker in the hospital or call the Toronto ABI Network at 416-597-3057.

There are also private fee-for-service clinics in the community that provide rehabilitation services, e.g. physiotherapy. Community-based private clinics are not listed on this website. Please contact your local head injury association for assistance in assessing these services.


What to expect from acute care

What to expect from inpatient rehabilitation

What to expect from day hospital, ambulatory care and/or outpatient services

What to expect after hospital-based rehabilitation (also known as community-based rehabilitation)