Long Wait for Care Continues for Renfrew Patient

On weekends, Ken Rekowski gets a ride down Highway 138 to his mom’s farmhouse, enjoying barbecues in the summer and TV and games in the winter.

By evening, though, he’s back in his bed at the Renfrew Victoria Hospital.

That’s where Rekowski has spent most of his days and nights since January 2009, when a car crash left the former security guard severely disabled.

Rekowski is now among dozens, possibly hundreds of patients in Ontario with traumatic brain injuries who can’t find a place in a residential facility specifically designed for their complex care needs.

“When they added his name to the waitlist, they told us that it would be a lifetime [wait],” said his twin sister Kareen, who visits often and helps pay for a personal support worker to keep her brother engaged.

“They said there are far too few beds, and way too many people on the waitlist ahead of him.”

Even if the 48-year-old were to eventually get a bed, there’s another issue. Unless something changes, it would be far from the small town where he grew up – an urban-rural gap in Ontario’s health care system that advocates for brain injury say needs attention.

Ken Rekowski sits on his Harley Davidson, one of several motorcycles he owned before his brain injury made riding impossible. (Submitted by Kareen Rekowski)

Told to plan funeral

On the night of the crash, Rekowski was heading to work just outside Renfrew. The road conditions were poor, and he lost control of his car.

At first, doctors thought Rekowski’s injuries were so severe that he wouldn’t survive. His family was advised to start planning a funeral.

While Rekowski did pull through, the crash resulted in severe physical and cognitive impairments. He struggles with forming new memories and is often confused about what year it is or how long he’s been hospitalized; he also has a “right-side deficit” that limits mobility in his right leg and nearly none in his right arm.

He requires a wheelchair to move around. Even though he finds it hard to articulate words, he managed to speak with a CBC reporter about his personal interests like his lifelong love for motorcycles.

On some level, Rekowski’s situation is similar to that of Shawn Hill, an Ottawa man who faced an extensive wait for proper care after fracturing his skull in summer 2018.

Soon after Hill’s family shared news about his situation with , he received placement at a long-term care home. While both families still hope beds will become available in facilities specialized for individuals with brain injuries, Rekowski continues spending days at the hospital.

‘Lifetime wait’ for long-term care a shock to patient’s family

Kareen describes what it felt like learning there was no space available for her brother in residential care. Rekowski has been living at Renfrew Victoria Hospital since January 2009.

‘The need is great’

If Rekowski were finally placed somewhere suitable, he’d end up around 100 kilometers away from both family and familiar streets of Renfrew. The two nearest specialized facilities are located in Ottawa.

“We know that the need is great in rural communities,” said Ruth Wilcock, executive director of the Ontario Brain Injury Association.

Brain injury patients often receive excellent initial treatment at major urban hospitals but struggle once they return home without adequate support systems intact.
If they go back into their communities without those same supports then many gains made during recovery can begin fading away.- Ruth Wilcock, Ontario Brain Injury Association , , ,
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< h3 id=" H3"> It' s also difficult, , she noted , to uproot yourself  and relocate elsewhere  for treatment. , whether due  to work situations – Ken’s sister runs an accounting firm locally – or simply because of emotional ties  and support networks found within your hometown.</h3>
< p> That’s why it’s vital for more residential facilities tailored towards these needs be established within small communities, , according to Wilcock&comma;. although she recognizes current funding levels don’t allow this kind of expansion.

“We sort of patch [brain injury patients] up , and do some rehab with them,, then send them back out into their communities , where there really isn’t sufficient support,” said Wilcock.
“If they go back into their community without those same supports then many gains made begin turning into losses.”Kareen helps Ken get settled as they leave Renfrew Victoria Hospital heading toward Tim Hortons. His brain injury causes significant limitations on mobility on one side.<img/Kareen helps Ken get settled as they leave Renfrew Victoria Hospital heading toward Tim Hortons. His brain injury causes significant limitations on mobility on one side.(Trevor Pritchard/CBC)

‘Escape from the hospital’

A spokesperson from Ontario’s health ministry stated that $86.5 million would be allocated between 2019-2020 towards services meant specifically for patients facing acquired brain injuries-some funds earmarked even for “remote or under-serviced areas.”<

The province also provides incentives aimed at physicians willing set up practices within smaller towns,, medical students practicing options available., reimbursement possibilities exist among employers wanting hire nurses  —in “underserved” locations says Jensen.

Nthat being said, Jensen acknowledged currently no plans exist regarding increasing actual number residential homes accessible.Kareen chats over coffee alongside Ken inside Tim Hortons situated within Renfew., Kareen mentions outings such as this provide moments feel like part regular community versus being seen strictly patient confined hospital stay.)<img/Kareen chats over coffee alongside Ken inside Tim Hortons situated within Renfew., Kareen mentions outings such as this provide moments feel like part regular community versus being seen strictly patient confined hospital stay.) (Trevor Pritchard/CBC)