Acquired Brain Injury Outpatient (ABI OP) Program
Related topics: Acquired brain injuries Mental health and substance use Physical therapy & rehabilitation Vancouver mental health and substance use services
The Acquired Brain Injury Outpatient Team provides time-limited, goal-oriented outpatient assessment and intervention for people living with brain injury.
What to expect
This program is limited to residents of Vancouver Coastal Health and the Yukon. Due to the volume of referrals, we cannot treat clients who have been treated previously for the same goals without a new medical event.
The core team members may include a physiatrist, occupational therapist, physical therapist, social worker, speech-language pathologist and recreation therapist. Referral to other services, including nursing, dietitian, vocational rehab, psychology and assistive technology, may be completed. The program is time-limited, and the team will work with patients to identify and work on functional goals that can be achieved within three months.
How to access
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Check eligibility
We see people with a diagnosed brain injury benefiting from short-term rehabilitation and who meet the following criteria:
- Adults 19 years of age or older
- Living within Vancouver Coastal Health Authority
- Able to participate in rehab for up to 2-4 hours per day, 2-4 days per week
- Able to organize their transportation to and from G.F. Strong
- Able to manage independently or has a family member that can assist on-site with: Personal care (including toileting), eating/swallowing, mobility/transfers, medications
We don't see:
- People who are eligible for services elsewhere
- Clients with Functional Neurological Disorders as a primary diagnosis.
- Clients who have coverage through ICBC or Worksafe.
- Medical/legal assessment for reports
- For concussion, refer to (ERCS) and (SM)
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Get a referral
A referral from a doctor or nurse practitioner is required.
Parking and transportation
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Parking
Paid parking is available.
If you are a client or a visitor, you may park in the visitor-paid parking lot (handicap-accessible paid parking spots are available in the front of the building). The parking meters will accept credit cards, coin payments, and pay-by-phone options. Please remember to arrive at the site prepared to pay the parking meter using one of these means, as meters do not provide change.
You may be able to find 2-hour free street parking, though spaces are very limited. With a valid SPARC parking permit, free 3-hour parking is allowed on residential streets without need for a residential parking permit (*Note: City of Vancouver by-law is subject to change. For more information visit the City of Vancouver Accessible Parking page)
Parking rates for VCH facilities
Electric vehicle charging
Designated electric vehicle charging stations are available for staff, medical staff, patients and visitors at VCH hospitals.
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Transit
G.F. Strong Rehabilitation Centre is accessible by TransLink services from Vancouver International Airport, BC Ferry Terminals at Horseshoe Bay and Tsawwassen, Pacific Central Station (downtown Vancouver rail and bus station), and SkyTrain stations.
Buses 17 and 25 stop on Oak Street, close to the centre.
TransLink provides information on transit routes and schedules. TransLink can also tell you which buses take wheelchairs and are wheelchair accessible.
Transit accessibility on Translink.ca
If you use HandyDart
Translink’s HandyDART – “A door-to-door, shared ride service for passengers with physical or cognitive disabilities who are unable to use conventional public transit without assistance.”
If you qualify and would benefit from this service, we recommend you contact your family physician to assist with the completion of the application form
Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) Outpatient Program at G.F. Strong Rehabilitation Centre
- Main switchboard: 604-734-1313
- Referral intake office: 604-737-6291
Hours of operation
- Monday: 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
- Tuesday: 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
- Wednesday: 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
- Thursday: 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
- Friday: 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
- Saturday: Closed
- Sunday: Closed