Transitional Living Unit (TLU)

About the Transitional Living Unit Service The Transitional Living Unit (TLU) provides short-term accommodation for people with traumatic brain injury with a focus on: Assessment and training of skills to enable individuals to improve their outcomes before moving to the community after injury. Re-assessment of living skills to enable individuals to improve their independence or change their support arrangements.

Clients at the TLU are usually moving from ward-based rehabilitation to a home environment for the first time after the brain injury. However, for various reasons this is not always possible. The TLU provides an opportunity for the therapy team to focus on acquisition of skills within a home and community environment. Therapy is provided individually and in groups to facilitate independence, access and participation in the community.

Outcomes for individuals includes assessment of skills and improvement in their ability to be independent in their home and community with an increased capacity to make decisions and be responsible for their own lives.

There are approximately 15-20 admissions per year. Generally 80% are admitted from the Brain Injury Ward in transition to the community. Some residents are admitted from the community. The length of stay varies depending upon individual needs.

Contact Details and Map

Referral Information

Patients admitted to the Transitional Living Unit will need to:

• Be medically stable.

• Be able to manage their own personal care and mobility with minimal prompts and support.

• Have no behaviour issues that cannot be managed within the staffing limitations.

• Agree to the share house rules and actions arising from rule breaking.

Referrals should be made to the Residential Service Manager. Referrals are made by the Inpatient Program Co-ordinator or members of the Community Team for current clients of the Liverpool Brain Injury Unit.  Once the referral has been made, a time for the client and their family to visit the Transitional Living Unit is arranged to confirm they agree to the admission.

Services Provided

The TLU is organised to provide a multidisciplinary approach to rehabilitation with a focus on the individual identifying and achieving goals specific to their own aspirations and needs. The TLU has a multi disciplinary team to support the individual and group program.

• Occupational Therapy
•  Physiotherapy
•  Neuropsychology
•  Residential Care Staff
•  Social Work
•  Speech Pathology

Cost of Staying at the TLU

The ability to pay is not a barrier to admission to the TLU and CLU programs as they are covered by Medicare.

However, fees may apply in circumstances where clients do not have Medicare entitlements, have an ongoing or settled claim e.g. worker’s compensation, MVA related. In these circumstances there is a NSW Health Department schedule of fees that will apply. Further information on individual circumstances can be obtained on request.

Discharge Process

Discharge is discussed and planned by staff with the client/family based on outcomes from assessment and admission goals.

Planning meetings are arranged with treating team members, the client and significant people in discharge planning. Representatives from other agencies may be involved in discharge planning meetings.

Every effort is made to ensure that community support needs have been identified and strategies for addressing these needs have been implemented prior to discharge.

Special considerations

Residents not participating in their program or who have not complied with the rules of share house living may have their stay terminated early. In this situation, a referral to the community team/other service will be arranged and a follow up meeting arranged as a matter of urgency. This information is located in the information booklets provided at time of referral.