Sheltering Arms Institute Supports Stroke Awareness Month

Central Virginia Physical Rehabilitation Hospital Bolsters Stroke Program With New Initiatives

RICHMOND, Va. (May 16, 2022) – Sheltering Arms Institute is proud to support the 33rd annual National Stroke Awareness month, which takes place each May to increase awareness about the warning signs, symptoms, prevention, and impact of stroke on survivors as well as their families and caregivers.

Sheltering Arms Institute offers a robust stroke program to help people regain their independence following this life-changing illness and is excited to announce several new initiatives as part of this programming including:

Partnership with the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) in support of the first statewide Paul Coverdell Acute Stroke Program Grant
The Paul Coverdell Acute Stroke Program Grant is a three-year federal grant provided to select state health departments to collect, measure, and track data to improve the quality of care for stroke patients. Sheltering Arms Institute is among other top healthcare institutions and the only rehabilitation hospital to support the VDH in continuing to advance stroke care by utilizing Unite Us software to connect patients with needed health and social care resources post-discharge.

Partnership with Richmond and Henrico Health District community health workers
Sheltering Arms Institute is collaborating with community health workers from these two districts to identify patients at high risk for health concerns such as missing doctor’s appointments and food insecurity to provide staff to help navigate these matters and ensure access to needed resources.

Blood pressure monitoring initiative with the Medical Society of Virginia, BEATDiabetes, and BEATStroke
This program uses text message reminders to engage with and remind patients to monitor their blood pressure in between medical appointments. The Medical Society of Virginia donated 30 automatic blood pressure cuffs to Sheltering Arms Institute to enroll patients in the program to improve blood pressure.

Connecting patients with stroke support groups and peer mentors
Current patients at Sheltering Arms Institute participate in a virtual meet and greet with the Virginia Stroke Survivor and Caregiver Education Support Group, which provides long-term support to individuals impacted by stroke. Fellow survivors, some of whom are former Sheltering Arms Institute patients, serve as peer mentor volunteers and meet one-on-one with current patients to establish ongoing relationships with one another.

“We are creating a continuum of care across the state where patients who have experienced a stroke would have access to the entire continuum and somebody to help them navigate that,” said Melissa Banta, PT, DPT, Stroke Therapy Program Manager. “We know that stroke recovery happens over time and a lot of support systems need to be in place for people to achieve their best outcomes, so we want to make sure our patients are prepared.”

For more information about Sheltering Arms Institute’s stroke program, please visit https://shelteringarmsinstitute.com/conditions-and-services/stroke-rehabilitation/.

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About Sheltering Arms Institute:

Sheltering Arms and VCU Health System have formed a joint venture, Sheltering Arms Institute, a state-of-the-science physical rehabilitation hospital, that brings together the brand and clinical reputation of Sheltering Arms and the nationally ranked programs and research of VCU Health. The Institute blends advanced technology, research, and evidence-based clinical treatment to create an innovative, transdisciplinary model of rehabilitative care that facilitates superior outcomes for patients. For more information, please visit shelteringarmsinstitute.com.