WALLINGFORD, CONNECTICUT, February 1, 2021 — Gaylord Specialty Healthcare, a nonprofit rehabilitation-focused healthcare system headquartered in Wallingford, is pleased to announce its collaboration with the CT Tech Act Project’s ‘Connect to Tech’ program to expand access to assistive technologies (AT) for hospitalized patients with paralysis. The Connect to Tech program’s goal is to enhance quality of life for this patient population and help them maintain or increase their independence at home after discharge.
Peter Grevelding, PT, MSPT, NCS, Gaylord Specialty Healthcare Vice President, Clinical Operations, explained that the Connect to Tech program will be an invaluable resource as Gaylord treats more than 100 inpatients with paralysis every year.
“A new diagnosis of paralysis is life-changing and has significant impact on one’s function and quality of life. As our patients transition from inpatient care back into the community, we often find they are in need of continued support to acclimate to life after hospitalization. Assistive technologies can significantly help to bridge that gap.”
Headed by the CT State Department of Aging and Disability’s CT Tech Act Project, the Connect to Tech program is funded with a recent $75,000 High Impact Innovative Assistant Technology (HIIAT) grant from the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation.
The CT Tech Act Project will use the grant to work with three Assistive Technology partner agencies, Capitol Region Education Council, EASTCONN, and the New England Assistive Technology Center at Oak Hill and two local hospitals including Gaylord to provide inpatients with spinal cord injury or other paralysis-causing conditions access to Assistive Technology services and devices through AT demonstrations and lending to allow them to experience how such technologies can enhance their quality of life at home.
“Being able to offer this life-changing support will help patients and their families navigate the physical, emotional and financial challenges experienced after diagnosis,” Grevelding explained. “We are extremely grateful to be selected by the CT Tech Act Project as a partner in this initiative and are thrilled that it will bring new opportunities to improve our patients’ independence.”
Arlene Lugo, CT Tech Act Project Program Director, said, “We are very excited to have the opportunity to make a significant impact on Gaylord patients’ lives as they transition home. We thank the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation for their support, without which we would not be able to implement this vital project. The CT Tech Act Project and our AT Partner agencies look forward to our new partnership with Gaylord.”
About Gaylord Specialty Healthcare:
Gaylord Specialty Healthcare is a rehabilitation-focused, nonprofit health system headquartered in Wallingford, Connecticut, that provides inpatient and outpatient care for people at every point in their journey from illness or injury to maximum recovery.
Gaylord Specialty Healthcare is anchored by Gaylord Hospital, a long-term acute care hospital, and includes Gaylord Outpatient Services and Gaylord Physical Therapy for patients who require diagnosis and treatment on an outpatient basis. Together, these entities deliver a complete continuum of rehab care driven by technology, research, clinical experience, and human compassion. For more information visit www.gaylord.org.