Toronto hospital launches food program for caregivers of long-term patients

TORONTO · A children’s rehabilitation hospital in Toronto has launched what it calls Canada’s first comprehensive hospital-based food support program for caregivers. The Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital program provides $30 a day to caregivers of inpatient clients for hot meals on weekdays and grocery credits on weekends. Previously, only the meals of patients were covered as part of their treatment. The initiative aims to reduce the financial and mental burden on families during long and stressful hospital stays.

"Now they can just go down to the cafeteria without having to plan or think about it. They know that there's a meal there," said Sue Osbourne, a social worker at Holland Bloorview. She said the program comes at a time when one in five families at the hospital report experiencing household food insecurity and six per cent of families receiving care live below the poverty line. "We have families that are dependent on food banks," Osbourne said. "And then they come here, and it's really really difficult."

Jennifer Paiva, who has been staying at the hospital with her daughter Gabby for about three months, said the program changes everything. Gabby, who has cerebral palsy, is recovering from an intense surgery. Paiva said during her daughter's previous stay, her own meals were not covered and she barely ate. "Most of the time, you forget about eating because you don't want to leave your child," said Paiva. "You kind of forget about those things until [its] the end of the day." She said the food portions available now are substantial. "It's made a huge difference because you can see the portions of foods you get here. You can even make two meals out of it a lot of the time," Paiva said.

Michelle Proc stayed with her daughter Maddy Taylor at Holland Bloorview for nearly 10 months after Maddy suffered a traumatic brain injury in a car accident. Proc took a leave of absence from work, which strained the family's budget. She said that just a few months ago, she relied on snacks like granola bars and apples throughout the day. "It’s extremely exhausting," she said. "The last thing you really want to be worried about is my health and how I'm going to eat." Proc said the new program helps parents stay focused and fuelled. "Having the food program, now, really recognizes that the families need support too," she said.

With files from CBC News