Debora`s Story

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When Linda, a Care Coordinator with Toronto Central
Community Care Access Centre (TC CCAC), met her
client Debora, she found a 53-year-old woman who was
bed-bound and completely dependent on others due
to morbid obesity. Debora had also been diagnosed with
Type 2 Diabetes, arthritis, asthma and depression.
Debora had been in hospital for over a year and had
just been discharged home. Long-term care seemed
like the only viable alternative for Debora. But when
Linda asked what her goals were, she got a surprise.
Debora recalls, “I told her I wanted to be able to look
after myself, go to university and get a law degree.”
These remarkable goals were not consistent with life
in long-term care, where she would be well taken care
of, but would not be given the support to regain any
independence.
A self-sufficient Debora was hard to imagine. But
Linda thought creatively about how to support her
client’s goals. She worked closely with her manager,
Sally, to advocate for Debora needing a unique care
plan and the support of an extraordinary team. She
initially needed 35 hours a week with personal support
workers, more than double the usual maximum. Next,
they contracted a unique psychotherapist, who is also
a nutritionist, to work with Debora in her home three
times a week to help her lose weight, a key to being
able to do more for herself. An occupational therapist
and physiotherapist worked with her three times a
week. Along the way, Debora had three scheduled stays
at Providence Rehabilitation to focus on particular
skills, like sitting up.
Remarkably, Debora has lost 200 pounds. She is now
able to roll over, sit up, dress and wash most of her
body. She is even beginning to stand briefly. She is
eating well, and her diabetes is now completely
diet-controlled. Her personal support hours are half
what they were originally. And Debora, who at one time
visited the emergency department frequently, has only
gone four times in the past two years.
Reversing Debora’s dependence is an incredible
achievement shared by Debora, Linda and Sally
and the team they created. Linda asserts, “as
professionals, we have to get our minds ‘unstuck’” to
come up with innovative plans for unusual clients. To
have a plan work and see a client come closer to her
goal of independence, Linda says, “is very rewarding.”
Debora’s self-confidence has increased, and she tries to
keep her focus on her ultimate goals: independence and
a law degree.
“Linda and Sally deserve a medal. Without
their help, I probably wouldn’t be here.”
– Debora, TC CCAC client
“I start small. I ask myself, what simple
daily activity can she do now? Let’s
make sure we don’t do it for her. Now,
what’s next?”
– Linda, Debora’s
TC CCAC Care Coordinator