Peer Visitor Program

Peer Visitor Program

Stroke Connection – A Nationwide Circle of Support

What is the Peer Visitor Program?

History of the Peer Visitor Program

How Do I Become A Peer Visitor?

Stroke Connection – A Nationwide Circle of Support

Families on the mend report that they are able to stay determined, focused and better informed when they are linked with other families in the American Stroke Association’s Stroke Connection nationwide circle of support. The Peer Visitor Program provides an important link to support services available through Stroke Connection.

Stroke Connection is a free patient support service of the American Stroke Association that helps families learn about stroke. Educational materials, such as the Stroke Connection Magazine, a variety of support services and stroke support groups are introduced to survivors and family members when they call the Stroke Connection “Warmline” 1-888-4-STROKE (478-7653). Through a nationwide grass-roots network of alliances, coalitions, community partnerships, outreach programs and support groups, Stroke Connection volunteers are dedicated to improving the quality of life for survivors, caregivers and their families.

What is the Peer Visitor Program?

Stroke survivors and caregivers from the Atlanta program visit new survivors in hospitals and rehabilitation centers. They help families address their emotional and social needs, while helping them face the many changes caused by stroke as well.

History

The Stroke Connection Peer Visitor Program (PVP) began in 1981. Formerly called the Stroke Outreach Program, PVP was started by a Task Force organized by volunteers at the Courage Center rehabilitation facility in Minneapolis. Task Force members included stroke families and healthcare professionals from a variety of community agencies.

These pioneers recognized that stroke education and support should be offered as early as possible to families who suddenly find themselves dealing with a stroke diagnosis. They believed that the kind of help that is available through stroke groups would be more effective if survivors and caregivers were introduced to Stroke Connection during their initial hospital stay. It was for this reason that the volunteers created the PVP.

During a 12-year period, they demonstrated their dedication to serving others by volunteering in the first stroke PVP in the United States. They proved they could make a difference by providing a much needed helping hand to those who had come to a major crossroad in life after experiencing the devastating effects of stroke.

Along with healthcare professionals, more stroke families are recognizing the benefits of social support—the kind provided by stroke support groups and organized peer visiting support service.

In 1995, healthcare professionals from Atlanta area hospitals and rehabilitation centers joined forces to develop a PVP in the metropolitan Atlanta area. With support from the American Stroke Association, the program has grown to be one of the most successful peer visiting services offered as part of the Stroke Connection.

In August 1993, Stroke Connection was transferred to the National Center of the American Heart Association. At that time, the stroke outreach visiting service started in 1981 became the national Peer Visitor Program. Today, it is the premier stroke family outreach service of the American Stroke Association, a division of the American Heart Association.

How Do I Become A Peer Visitor?

If you are a stroke survivor or a caregiver and you would like to offer encouragement and hope to other stroke survivors, contact the American Stroke Association’s Stroke Connection “Warmline” at 1-888-4-STROKE for locations of Peer Visitor Programs across the country. If you would like information about the Stroke Peer Visitor Program of Atlanta, contact the American Stroke Association’s Atlanta offices at 678-385-2078.