When a senior experiences a fall at home, the consequences can be life-changing. Many families in North Vancouver and West Vancouver find themselves at Lions Gate Hospital supporting a parent or loved one through treatment and recovery. But once the hospital stay ends, the next big question arises: How do we make the transition home safe, smooth, and supportive?
For families, the discharge process can feel overwhelming. Balancing what the public system offers with what private care can provide is key to ensuring that your loved one has the right level of support.
Understanding the Discharge Process at Lions Gate Hospital
Before a senior leaves Lions Gate Hospital, the care team will typically hold a discharge planning meeting. This may involve doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, and social workers who assess whether the senior is safe to return home. They’ll recommend supports such as rehabilitation, home care, or equipment to reduce fall risk.
At this point, families often learn about two primary options for ongoing care:
1. Publicly Funded Home and Community Care (Vancouver Coastal Health)
- Provides short home nursing visits, occupational therapy, and limited personal care hours.
- Access is determined by need and availability, which can mean waiting lists or fewer hours than a family might hope for.
- Best suited for seniors who require only light support or whose families can provide consistent assistance.
2. Private Home Care Services (like TheKey North Vancouver)
- Immediate start - no waiting periods.
- Flexible scheduling, from a few hours a week to 24/7 live-in support.
- Care customized to medical needs, mobility recovery, and personal preferences.
- Specialized services like dementia care, fall-prevention planning, and RN oversight.
Why Many Families Choose Private Care
For seniors recovering from a fall, the risk of another incident is highest within the first weeks after discharge. Families often discover that public home care alone cannot provide the daily, continuous oversight needed to keep their loved one safe.
That’s where private home care steps in. It not only fills the gap left by the public system but also delivers a premium level of attention and peace of mind.
How TheKey Vancouver Supports Seniors After Lions Gate Hospital
At TheKey Vancouver, our approach is designed to make the hospital-to-home transition seamless and secure.
- Personalized Care Plans - Each client receives a tailored plan focused on recovery, fall prevention, mobility, and nutrition.
- Expert Caregivers - Trained professionals support with transfers, personal care, and companionship, always with dignity and respect.
- Innovative Safety Monitoring - With TheKey’s Lifeguard system, families gain 24/7 reassurance through discreet motion sensors, fall detection, and RN oversight - all without cameras.
- Family Communication - Regular updates and check-ins keep families informed, even if they live far away.
A Realistic Example
Consider Mr. L., an 84-year-old West Vancouver resident who suffered a fall in his bathroom. After two weeks at Lions Gate Hospital, he was discharged with limited public home care support - just two nursing visits a week. His daughter, balancing work and family, knew this wasn’t enough.
The family partnered with TheKey Vancouver for daily caregiver support and Lifeguard monitoring.
With skilled assistance, Mr. L. regained mobility, avoided hospital readmission, and his daughter enjoyed peace of mind knowing her father had both hands-on care and proactive safety monitoring at home.
Final Thoughts
The journey from hospital to home after a fall can be daunting. While Vancouver Coastal Health provides essential public supports, most families find they need more comprehensive care to ensure a safe and successful recovery.
TheKey Vancouver offers that bridge - combining expert caregiving, personalized care management, and innovative wellness technology to keep seniors safe, comfortable, and independent at home.
