The Visiting Nurse Association understands that there’s no place like home. And we’re committed to providing services you or your family member need or want—in the comfort of your home.

Perhaps you have returned home from a recent hospital stay. You may need temporary help —  someone to assist with bathing, dressing, or just getting around while you regain your strength and continue your recovery. Perhaps you need assistance with shopping, with meal preparation, or would prefer a meal delivered to your home.

If you are responsible for the care of another—a disabled spouse, elderly parent, or handicapped individual—you might find it a welcome relief to have assistance on an occasional or regular basis.

VNA Support Services provides the level of care tailored to meet the needs of you and your family and can be used to supplement the home health care services you may already receive through agencies such as the Visiting Nurse Association.

Fees charged for programs provided through VNA Support Services generally are paid by the client, the client’s family, or private insurance. However, many programs are made affordable to those of limited income by government funding, United Way of Porter County, fund raising events, donations, and the efforts of volunteers. (Return to top)

Meals on Wheels is a program that nourishes body and soul, bringing the community together to deliver nutritious meals to our clients in their homes. Diet specialists, VNA staff, Meals on Wheels volunteers, families, neighbors and friends—all work together to make sure that our clients’ needs are met.

Five days a week, caring volunteers hop in their cars at midday and deliver meals to clients in Valparaiso, South Haven, Chesterton, Portage, Hebron and Kouts. Volunteers provide either one or two nutritious meals transported in special insulated carriers for maximum safety and temperature control. Every weekday, more than half of our clients receive two meals—a tasty hot lunch plus a light supper. The rest of our clients prefer the hot lunch only.

Meals are prepared with careful attention to any special dietary needs clients may have. This is especially important to assure promotion of health through proper nutrition.

The Meals on Wheels program is available Monday through Friday, 52 weeks a year, except on the six major holidays. (On weekends and holidays, families and friends are encouraged to share meals and quality time with their loved one.) (Return to top)

Lifeline

Lifeline is a Personal Response System that provides help at the touch of a button 24 hours a day, seven days a week. This vital safety net helps to ensure independence and well-being, enabling many people to remain in the familiar and comforting surroundings of their own homes despite illness or disability. It also provides reassurance that help is always near for those who live alone.

In case of an emergency, you just touch a button worn on a pendant around your wrist or neck and you are instantly in contact with the  Lifeline Response Center. Depending on your need, Lifeline alerts a family member, friend or Emergency Response Team, and the help you need is on the way.

As well as providing immediate emergency contact, Lifeline can be programmed to remind you when it’s time to take your medications. The system also automatically self-tests all of its components daily.

The Lifeline system connects easily into your own home phone line and wall outlet. In case of emergency, just press the water-proof button on the pendant worn around your neck or wrist and the system will automatically contact you to see what help you need.

The Lifeline system is installed by the Lifeline Coordinator or Lifeline volunteer, Monday through Friday. They will install the unit and take personal information, including names of your emergency contacts, so that our Lifeline operators can serve you promptly and efficiently. (Return to top)

Please call us at 462-5195 to discuss the services you need.

The mission of the Visiting Nurse Association is to provide compassionate home and hospice care in an innovative and personalized manner to those in need, within the resources available, enabling them to preserve their dignity and maintain their highest level of independence.