Why don't all hospitals, neurologists and insurance know that recovery can continue well past 90 days? If our stroke associations wanted to be useful to survivors they could run these types of centers all over the country. (This will never happen under the current leadership.) Sounds like what ARNI is doing in the UK.
http://www.pe.com/articles/center-698587-greer-stroke.html
Based in Palms Springs, The Stroke Recovery Center is the only
organization of its kind, offering free long-term rehabilitation for
individuals dealing with functional deficits caused by a stroke or
traumatic brain injury.
Providing services for 36 years, The
Stroke Recovery Center offers rehabilitation to those who can no longer
afford the expense, offering a full suite of services to survivors.
According to Beverly Greer, chief executive, strokes are the fourth
largest killer in the United States and the number one cause of adult
disability. Survivors undergo treatment and acute rehab in the hospital,
but insurance companies only cover 30 to 90 days of rehabilitation.
After this, survivors are on their own.
Greer notes that
insurance companies feel that rehabilitation beyond this point is rarely
successful, but that has not been the experience of The Stroke Recovery
Center. Stepping in when insurance coverage has expired, The Center
offers comprehensive care, dealing with the patient as a whole and
assisting with physical, mental, socialization needs and rehabilitation.
“We also help them with working through their depression and with
rebuilding their confidence,” says Greer. “We work to give them the
tools they need to handle daily activities again.”
Survivors
wishing to begin a rehabilitation program at The Center have their
doctor sign off that they are physically able to exercise. They then
work with staff to create a program that will best help with their
recovery. “We have a very large group of volunteers, a small but
dedicated staff, and over the years we have been able to accommodate
everyone who needs us,” says Greer. While most of the patients come from
the surrounding Coachella Valley, some come from as far as Hemet and
even Temecula.
The Stroke Recovery Center hopes that as many
survivors as possible will be able to get a level of ability where they
no longer need their services. Greer tells the story of a woman who was
forced to sell her house and car in order to continue receiving
rehabilitation, but that eventually she and her husband ran out of
resources. “She came to us and was able to continue her therapy,” says
Greer. “Now she doesn’t need us anymore and just stops in to say hello.
It’s very inspirational to others.”
Providing all their services
for free means challenges for funding, however. “We are very lucky to
have so many wonderful volunteers,” says Greer. “The challenges don’t go
away though. That’s probably why there aren’t many other stroke
recovery centers.” The Center’s funding depends on their annual Gala in
November, “Evening of Hope,” as well as grants, donations, and
additional fundraisers. Recently, The Stroke Recovery Center received a
Community Impact Grant through The Community Foundation, but they are
always seeking more funding for their programs.
Those who wish
to help can also frequent The Stroke Recovery Center volunteer-run
thrift shop which also contributes to their funding. Jackie Lee’s Thrift
Shop is a full-service shop, offering gently-used housewares, clothing,
bedding, and décor. All of the proceeds go into their programs. Greer
encourages people to visit and also to consider volunteering. “People
think this might be an uncomfortable and depressing place,” says Greer.
“It’s actually an upbeat positive environment. There is a lot of
laughing, caring, and we see and celebrate little miracles constantly.”
In
the future, The Stroke Recovery Center hopes to expand their services
to include others who are challenged with other neurological disorders
such as Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis. It is also in the
process of building a new therapy and exercise facility, which is 50
percent funded. Greer is excited about the new 3,000 square foot
facility which will be able to accommodate many more patients. She hopes
that more of the community will not only discover the work the center
achieves, but help support their work.
“We want people to know
that we exist,” says Greer. “Our services are free. It doesn’t matter if
you need our help for a short period of time or a long period of time.
Don’t lose hope. Just join us.”
For more information about The
Stroke Recovery Center, Jackie Lee’s Thrift Shop and the upcoming
Evening of Hope Gala, visit strokerecoverycenter.org or call
760-325-8026.
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