Beyond gold: The priceless power of compassion in a patient’s West Bedford Transitional Health journey

For Dennis Keay, West Bedford Transitional Health was not merely a chapter in his healthcare journey; it was the crucial bridge from hospital recovery to reclaiming his independence after a life-altering aneurysm cost him his left leg. "The price of survival was my left leg," he reflects. "But it was worth it." 

Like many patients facing life-altering medical events, Dennis discovered that recovery isn't a straight line. It includes many different phases, each requiring specialized support.

His journey unfolded from the urgency of emergency surgery to the challenges of intensive care, followed by the resilience of rehabilitation—each stage meticulously paving the way for the life-changing chapter awaiting him at West Bedford Transitional Health. "The reason I'm doing much better is thanks to the teams in acute care, rehab and transitional care," he says. "It's all possible because of them."

West Bedford Transitional Health is a 68-bed facility operated in partnership between Nova Scotia Health and Shannex. The site offers an alternative to acute care hospitalization for patients like Dennis, aligning with the Home First approach of enabling timely, supported transitions back to the community. This innovative model provides specialized care for those who no longer need hospital services but require additional support before transitioning home. 

By preventing unnecessary and prolonged hospitalization, the facility helps avoid functional, social and cognitive decline, enabling patients to return home sooner and maintain independence longer. The collaboration combines Nova Scotia Health's clinical expertise with Shannex's renowned rehabilitative care approach, which involves therapeutic programming and personalized care plans tailored to each patient's recovery needs, among other services.

What makes Transitional Health unique is its timing in a patient’s journey. As one of Nova Scotia's newest healthcare resources, it helps patients like Dennis rebuild confidence and skills during a period between hospital and home.

Dennis, among the first patients at the new facility, witnessed firsthand how the model helps people transition from rehab to daily life. When asked what makes West Bedford Transitional Health stand out for him, he used an analogy. "Rehab baked the cake," he says. "Transitional care? That's the icing." 

What impressed him the most was the way Nova Scotia Health’s community outreach team effortlessly carried on the work that had started in acute care and rehabilitation. 

Ongoing case management does more than prevent acute care readmissions – it represents a shift in recovery support. The community outreach team provides follow-up care for up to 16 weeks, addressing any issues that may arise at home. "They're still following up and reaching out. Keeping the communication open with the patient that's not physically present in the building means an awful lot," Dennis says.

The team’s physiotherapist has helped Dennis adapt to becoming a good candidate-ready for a prosthetic and an occupational therapist guided him in adjusting to daily routines. Both contributed vital expertise that was instrumental to his safe recovery at home.

"They even checked that my new home was accessible, making sure the set up worked for me and was up to standard," he says.

The team’s genuine compassion deeply impacted Dennis. "They care about people, not transactions," he shares. This patient-centered approach fosters an environment where healing extends beyond physical recovery to include emotional and practical support. Their willingness to listen, attention to individual needs and commitment to post-discharge support was exceptional. 

Dennis’s story is a powerful example of how the Home First approach, combining compassion, coordination and community-based recovery can transform lives.

Dennis’s gratitude comes down to one heartfelt truth: "The value of care,” he says, “was far greater than a pot of gold I could ever take." 

Photo of Dennis Keay.