Sheltering Arms Institute Launches Stroke Peer Mentor Program 05.19.2022 Stroke survivors visit patients to help with their recovery RICHMOND, Va. (May 19, 2022) – May is National Stroke Awareness Month and Sheltering Arms Institute is enhancing its rehabilitation program for stroke survivors by launching its own stroke peer mentoring program. According to the CDC, more than three-quarters of a million people in the United States have a stroke every year and for 185,000 of those individuals, it’s their second stroke. Forty-four-year-old Jenifer Wilson recently experienced her second stroke leaving her paralyzed on the left side of her body. “All I have in front of me is the great unknown,” Wilson said. “I don’t know what’s going to happen or if I’m going to be independent when I get home and get back to life.” Wilson’s recreation therapist suggested that she meet with fellow survivor Eleanor Angle, who experienced a stroke in 2020 and was also a patient at Sheltering Arms Institute. Two years later, Angle continues to work toward regaining her independence. “I have not allowed my stroke to sideline me from life and it’s really a privilege to be able to give back to patients here. I try to offer up some encouragement, support, and a listening ear given that I’ve been on exactly their same path,” Angle said about the opportunity to become a stroke peer mentor. Oftentimes, peer mentor programs are created by external partners; however, Sheltering Arms Institute created this program from scratch including mentor training materials and the process of pairing patients with mentors. Other successful peer mentor programs at the Institute for people who have experienced spinal cord injuries and amputations served as a model for the stroke program’s creation. “Evidence shows that when community support services are provided, patient outcomes improve. Just having somebody they can relate to say, ‘I know where you are and recovery is possible’ provides motivation and encouragement and leads to further discussions or questions,” said Alison Clarke, CTRS, Community Engagement Manager, who spearheaded the program. Peer mentors are volunteers and complete a six-hour course on successful mentoring taught by expert clinicians in psychology and speech-language pathology. Each mentor meets one-on-one with patients one afternoon every week, which is an invaluable resource to patients like Wilson. “I’m having a hard time with staying upbeat, so anything I can do that’s going to possibly alleviate that is really helpful,” Wilson said. “My biggest takeaway from meeting with Eleanor was to learn a new way to do old things. I still feel like I can keep my life, I just have to learn how to do it differently.” ### 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 www.shelteringarmsinstitute.com.
Sheltering Arms Institute Supports Stroke Awareness Month 05.16.2022 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/. ### 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.
