Hampton Roads, VA resident Jerry and Waymark community health worker (CHW) lead Amber Heaser started a tradition on the first day of their patient/CHW relationship: going to Subway, getting a healthy lunch, and talking about his care needs.

“Right after she met me at Subway, she was with me at the doctor’s office, asking for records and talking to them about my care,” said Jerry. “To me, that was so nice. It wasn’t something I had before, and I couldn’t complain at all.”

Jerry, who had been contacted by Waymark after an emergency room visit, had a few challenges weighing on him. He was struggling to connect with a PCP, and worried about being able to communicate his complex healthcare and mobility needs. Managing all the medications he had been prescribed was also proving to be challenging.

“I have a lot of struggles getting places and doing things in my chair,” he said. “That was the biggest thing. I was hoping Amber would be able to help me, and that’s exactly what ended up happening.”

Whole-Person Support and Encouragement

The first element of his care Jerry was able to address with Waymark’s support was a big one: A push from the emergency room to discharge him into hospice care. Jerry wanted to remain independent, and with Amber’s support, was able to push back against that referral.

“When Jerry and I talked to his PCP, they said that wasn’t something they felt Jerry needed,” said Amber. “We were able to get clarity on that and remove that as an option because it wasn’t needed. He wants to continue to be independent, and he had backup from Waymark in that way.”

In alignment with Jerry’s desire for more independence, Amber arranged for Jerry’s medication to be delivered in easy-to-open blister packs, ensuring he didn’t have to worry about taking the wrong medication at the wrong time. She also worked with a local physical therapy facility to arrange in-person appointments to support Jerry in transitioning out of his wheelchair. While his appointments are currently on hold due to an injury, the progress he’d seen prior was so encouraging to him that he wanted to continue practicing at home –– and Amber was able to locate a walker to help him make that possible.

“It’s really helpful to be able to go and practice and be cheered on,” he said. “I was sad when we had to stop, but I know I can keep working at it at home.”

Also through Waymark, Jerry was able to access support that empowered him to secure mental health care, housing, and consistent access to nutritious food. He said these are just a few of the many ways Amber and the broader Waymark care teams were able to partner with him –– and that their consistent investment in his well-being only deepened his trust.

“I’m the kind of person who doesn’t trust easily at first, but you have to give me a reason not to trust you,” he said. “Amber and Waymark, they’ve never given me that reason.”

After Waymark

Since graduating from Waymark, Jerry said he’s felt more empowered to take confident control of his own care. He’s been able to schedule and attend regular PCP appointments and looks forward to returning to physical therapy appointments. In the future, he wants to achieve enough independence to make meaningful connections within his community; specifically, he said, he wants to get back to cooking.

But what has meant the most, he said, is that the Waymark team still keeps in touch with him. His bond with Amber, he says, has transcended that of patient and community health worker. He considers her a friend and a confidant.

“We just enjoy talking about life, about whatever we’re going through,” he said. “She’s been a blessing, almost like family.”

And yes, they still do all of this over Subway salads.

To those in his community interested in partnering with Waymark, Jerry had this to say: The Waymark team is here to offer trusted, reliable help and support.

“I hope anyone talking to me could understand that they should let Waymark [care team members] into their homes,” Jerry said. “They’re here to help. I want people to understand that like I do.”