August 24, 2020
Occupational therapist Patricia Trainor had an opportunity to meet Terry Smith in person several weeks after providing assistance via the Rehabilitation Advice Line.
Story by Greg Harris | Photo by Paul Rotzinger
Shortly after Terry Smith fractured her wrist in February this year, rehabilitation clinics around the province closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“When the cast came off, my wrist was still pretty painful and I couldn’t move it very much,” the 78-year-old Calgary resident says. “I tried to do some things on my own, but it actually seemed like it was getting worse.”
When Smith heard about the Rehabilitation Advice Line of Alberta Health Services (AHS), she gave the toll-free number a call, and was able to get the rehabilitation support she needed.
“The person who took my call was just wonderful,” Smith says. “She gave me different exercises to do and it was just really helpful talking to her.”
The Rehabilitation Advice Line started May 12 and gives callers guidance on activities and exercises to support physical functioning, and strategies to manage daily activities. It also provides links to rehabilitation services available for in-person or virtual access, and to supportive community organizations and resources.
“Alberta Health Services is the first health organization in Canada to offer a service like the Rehabilitation Advice Line,” says Katie Churchill, Senior Practice Lead with Health Professions Strategy and Practice, and a co-lead on the project.
“Having a virtual service like this really improves access to rehabilitation. So far it has been very well received — we’ve had more than 600 calls since we started,” she says.
Aside from helping callers like Smith recover from injuries, Rehabilitation Advice Line staff can also assist Albertans living in their homes with neurologic conditions, such as those recovering from stroke, as well as people with physical conditions and injuries.
Staff are also able to provide self-management advice and education to those recovering from COVID-19, who may experience issues with energy levels, muscle weakness, joint stiffness and difficulty with sleep or other problems.
“We get a wide range of people calling, including professionals,” says Patricia Trainor, the occupational therapist who assisted Smith when she called about her wrist. “We have other occupational therapists, physical therapists, social workers and nurses from the community calling us looking for resources for their patients.”
Smith, who now enjoys better range of motion and strength in her wrist, has already recommended the Rehabilitation Advice Line to a couple of her friends.
“It was excellent,” she says. “I was very impressed.”
The Rehabilitation Advice Line is available to Albertans over the age of 18, Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., by calling toll-free, 1-833-379-0563.
