Sunbeam’s Hospital Care Program

Hospitalization often presents unique challenges for individuals in Sunbeam’s inclusive living and respite programs. Many of Sunbeam’s clients do not communicate with words, which can make it difficult for medical professionals to fully understand their needs and emotions.

Sunbeam’s Hospital Care Program supports our clients’ communication, emotional and care needs by providing trained staff to accompany individuals throughout their hospital stays, offering consistent emotional support and improving communication with healthcare providers.

The familiar presence of Sunbeam staff during a hospital stay ensures better care, reduced stress, improved understanding, rights to accessibility and gives individuals the support they need during a vulnerable time—benefiting both the clients and the healthcare system.

Hospital Care Program
Hospital Care Program
Hospital Care Program
Our Hospital Care Program moves beyond standard care to ensure that the most vulnerable in our community receive the best possible care. Sunbeam direct support staff advocate for and support clients during difficult times while in hospital, and it’s a reminder that with the right support, individuals can experience greater dignity, compassion, and quality of care in our healthcare system.

We work closely with local hospital partners to educate and inform about the essential role of Sunbeam staff accompaniment during clients’ hospital stays, and we appreciate the good working relationship and mutual respect that has developed between Sunbeam staff and hospital clinicians and other healthcare staff. Our collective focus is to ensure the best possible outcomes for the people we support during their hospital stays. Often, Sunbeam’s involvement can help reduce time in hospital, allowing individuals to safely return to their home at Sunbeam with proper supports.

Sunbeam’s Hospital Care Program is supported through a combination of funds, including donor funds, user-fees (often via passport funds), and operational funds. In recent years, donated funds help to pay for approximately 1/3rd of all hospital accompaniment hours. In the year 2024-2025 alone, donor funds supported over 1,800 of staff accompaniment hours through this program. Because Sunbeam serves and supports many individuals having significant medical complexities, the need continues to grow.

To show your support by making a donation towards the Hospital Care Program, please visit: https://sunbeamcommunity.ca/donate/