Programs and Services

Robin Easey Centre

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Overview

The Robin Easey Centre (REC) provides community-based life skills instruction, cognitive rehabilitation (strategy-based) and education services for adults who have sustained an acquired brain injury.  

Our goal is to help clients and their families gain the knowledge, skills and confidence needed to reintegrate into their community and live independently. 

We work with clients and their families to develop a treatment plan tailored to each client’s goals and needs, based on the latest best practices.

We also work closely with other health-care providers to offer specialized support and ensure smooth, ongoing care. 

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Take a look at what the Robin Easey Centre has to offer 

What we help with

Interventions

  • Staying organized and making plans.
  • Solving problems.
  • Improving memory.
  • Understanding yourself better.
  • Handling stress and emotions.
  • Getting along with others.

Life skills

  • Managing your health.
  • Taking medications correctly.
  • Preparing meals.
  • Using mobility aids.
  • Managing money.
  • Organizing your home and paperwork.
  • Using public transportation.

The facility

The Robin Easey Centre is a two-storey wheelchair-accessible home. It is very open and spacious with a home-like environment.  The main floor has two living rooms, a wheelchair-accessible kitchen, a dining room, a powder room and an exercise room.  There are five private bedrooms, two bathrooms, a laundry room, and an office on the main floor. 

Two-story wheelchair accessible home

Staff

The staff at The Robin Easey Centre consists of:  

  • A clinical leader/neuropsychologist.
  • Occupational therapists.
  • Social workers.
  • Life skills counsellors.
  • A secretary.

You may also receive consultation and treatment with professionals from other departments of The Ottawa Hospital Rehabilitation Centre such as physiatry, physiotherapy, speech-language pathology, nursing, vocational counselling, nutrition and recreational therapy. 

Programs and services

Residential programs

This program is for people who need regular check-ins, help building daily life skills and support in a structured home-like setting.

Duration: It depends on your goals, but most people stay a few months. 

Outreach programs

This short-term program helps patients who are independent enough to leave the hospital but still need support. It’s for people who can live on their own but may struggle with decision-making or face challenges in their daily lives.

Starts: Before discharge.

Focus: Safety and basic well-being after leaving the hospital.

Duration: Varies. 

The program offers one-on-one, in-person support to help build daily living skills.

Duration: Varies.

This online program includes one-on-one life skills coaching and a 12-week small group (with four to five people).  

Focus: Making real-life changes and becoming more independent. 

Other groups 

This weekly group helps REC clients set and work toward personal goals to improve their quality of life. It’s a space to share experiences and make positive changes.

Duration: 12 weeks. 

This group is for REC clients who may not fully understand how their brain injury affects them. It offers a safe space to learn more about themselves, focusing on both challenges and personal strengths.

Duration: Ongoing weekly sessions. 

This group teaches social and communication skills for people who want to improve their relationships after a brain injury. It includes education and practice in a supportive setting.

Duration: Eight sessions (every two weeks). 

This casual group gives clients a chance to socialize and connect with others. It’s a great first step before joining more structured community programs.

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Family and caregiver involvement

We welcome and encourage family members and caregivers to be involved in the recovery process. Support is available through family counseling, support groups and ongoing education.  

These services are designed to strengthen the client’s support system, help families understand behaviour changes after a brain injury and improve communication at home.  

Support is offered at the same time as REC services. 

Admission information

This program is for adults with a moderate to severe acquired brain injury. 

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

  • Have difficulties with daily tasks due to their brain injury, but can manage basic self-care (ADLs) with or without reminders.
  • Show potential to benefit from life skills training to improve independence or prepare for discharge.
  • Are medically stable and able to move around independently (with or without mobility aids).
  • Can transfer with up to one-person moderate physical assistance and are safe without constant supervision.
  • Ideally have mental health, substance use and behavioural issues that are well managed.
  • Can control any behaviour that could pose a risk to others.
  • Live in Eastern Ontario or Western Quebec (priority is given to applicants in this area).
  • Agree to the program details, expectations, benefits and limitations as outlined in the Robin Easey Centre Information Package and Consent Form (or have a substitute decision-maker who agrees).

Referrals

Referrals can be made by hospitals, physicians, health-care professionals or community services.  

Please clearly indicate that the referral is for the Robin Easey Centre (REC) programs and request a physiatry consultation through the ABI Outpatient Clinic. 

Send referrals to: 

Admitting Department at The Ottawa Hospital Rehabilitation Centre

613-733-8336

Contact us

Admissions Coordinator for REC Outreach, Acquired Brain Injury Care Stream 

613-761-5186

613-726-1764

The Robin Easey Centre 
125 Scrivens Street, Ottawa, ON  K2B 6H3