With a united vision of creating in-home peer support for stroke survivors, VHA Home HealthCare, March of Dimes Canada and the Toronto Stoke Networks collaborated to pilot an in-home, community peer support program based on the Peers Fostering Hope Hospital Program. Traditionally, peer support programs are offered in hospital or as group support in the community.  This pilot is believed to be the first known community support program for stroke survivors in Ontario, Canada where trained peer volunteers have one-to-one visits with recent stroke survivors in their home or community setting. 

Four peer volunteers assisted with program development and eleven were recruited to provide in-home support. Operational and administrative processes, unique to providing visits in the community, were developed.  Of particular importance to peer volunteers was education on delivering in-home/community support. 

Upon hospital discharge, clients were offered the opportunity to participate in this pilot program. Nine matches occurred and visits ranged from 1 to more than 13 over several months. Matches were based on geographical proximity and mutually agreed upon criteria (e.g. age, gender). Weekly or bi-weekly visits were scheduled in the client’s home or an agreed upon community setting. 

Interviews were conducted with clients and peers.  Clients spoke positively of their experience, from the hope and emotional support they received and knowledge provided by peers.  Peers self-reported immense satisfaction and feelings of self-worth. Clients and peers equally benefited from this pilot program.  

Next steps include exploring identified challenges and implementation on a broader scale given its success.

A COMMUNITY VISITING PILOT PROJECT EXPLORING THE BENEFITS OF ONE-TO-ONE PEER SUPPORT FOR STROKE SURVIVORS POST HOSPITAL DISCHARGE