EARL’S SUCCESS STORY

Last year, Earl Greenlaw experienced the unthinkable when he suffered a heart attack. Recovery has been long and slow and has required regular visits to his cardiologist. With little experience in managing recovery from a major illness, Earl found it difficult to get the answers he needed from his appointments.

“I was having issues during my visits to the cardiologist. Sometimes, there’s just too much going on, and you really have to push for answers. The whole experience can be so overwhelming, and you can even forget what you were going to ask in the first place.”

These difficulties pushed Earl to turn to the Guardian Nurses program. Earl has been a Trust participant for many years and regularly received the newsletter, which is where he learned about the program. After he completed the annual health assessment from the Trust and filled out an additional questionnaire, Earl was connected with a Mobile Care Coordinator (MCC) from Guardian Nurses who could help him get the most out of every appointment.

The Mobile Care Coordinator Program from Guardian Nurses is fully paid for by the Trust for PPO Plan participants and their covered dependents. Mobile Care Coordinators are Registered Nurses who provide personal care management and support to help Trust participants safely and effectively navigate the healthcare system. MCC nurses can also provide support for behavioral health issues such as depression, anxiety, or addiction.

“My Guardian Nurse was able to ask questions that I didn’t even think to ask. I became really comfortable with him by my side to help me with anything that I had questions about. I can even call him whenever I have questions I need answered about my medication.”

Now, with the help of his Guardian Nurse, Earl is living life a lot more confidently. Seeking help can be intimidating, but for Earl, taking that step made a huge difference for his health and peace of mind. When asked what advice he has for Trust participants who could benefit from a Mobile Care Coordinator nurse, Earl had this to say:

“It’s a free, accessible service that’s there for you, so don’t be afraid to use it. Guardian Nurses go to your appointments, they ask questions, and they get the answers you need. On top of that, they are always there for you when you need them. Sound Health & Wellness Trust participants should be on the lookout for all the programs that are there for them and their health. Sometimes, you just have to be proactive and take initiative with your health by joining a new program, which can be a scary experience.”

Guardian Nurses services are voluntary, confidential, and are fully paid for by the Trust for PPO Plan participants and their covered dependents. Click here to learn more about the Guardian Nurses Mobile Care Coordinator program.