Work Hardening

This fully supervised program is supported by a multi-disciplinary team to provide an environment where returning workers rebuild not only the physical ability, strength and endurance to return to work, but gain self-confidence and skills to manage better. Clients participate in gym exercise, pool classes and work simulation tasks over a gradually longer day. Self-management education classes focus on understanding pain and addressing fear of re-injury and symptom management. Worksite visits and psychological counselling are additional/optional components of the program.

Assessment includes:

  • A comprehensive physiotherapy/occupational therapy assessment includes comprehensive physical evaluation, work-specific functional abilities testing and psychosocial risk factor screening for disability.
  • Psychological assessments as needed.
  • Phone call to case manager with verbal findings within 24 hours.
  • Full written report within 5 working days.

Program details:

  • Full orientation includes a 2-hour education session on understanding pain, safe exercise technique, body mechanics and core strengthening
  • Core, cardio conditioning, strength, flexibility and functional exercise individualized to client’s physical ability and work goals developed and progressed by a licensed physiotherapist.
  • Work simulation tasks, developed and progressed by a licensed occupational therapist, build strength, endurance, balance and confidence specific to a client’s job goals.
  • Emphasis on symptom self-management (pain, sleep, fatigue, anxiety), pacing, safe body mechanics, and problem solving of job-specific ergonomic issues are woven throughout all program components.
  • Our therapists are trained in behaviour change theory.
  • Clients are fully supervised at all times.
  • Warm water pool therapy class included (one hour, M-W-F).
  • Program time ranges from 4.5-6 hours per day (gradually increases with improved tolerance).
  • Clients usually attend daily and may gradually transition into the workplace.
  • Worksite visits may be recommended to ensure programming properly prepares workers for job demands.

Communication with case managers:

  • Telephone contact as needed
  • Regular progress reports
  • Immediate fax and phone contact for client absences

Cost:

  • Assessment fee includes assessment, all telephone contact and intake report.
  • Program daily fee includes supervised exercise and work simulation program, education & pool classes, all telephone contact and progress and discharge reports.
  • Additional fees apply for psychology treatment, work-site visits, and team meetings, with a minor administration fee for cancellations.

Work Challenges

On occasion, functional testing is not sufficient to determine a client’s endurance for prolonged repetitive or static tasks. For clients in the work hardening program, work challenge days are interspersed so the client performs that task for their entire program day to assess tolerance.

Where a case manager has already identified strength as sufficient but endurance remains a question, 1–3 day work challenges can be arranged to answer those questions. An assessment is required to establish a good understanding of the client’s current physical condition and job demands. A full report is submitted upon completion.

Cost:

Varies based on the specific goal and time frame required.