VNA nurses, home health aides, medical social workers, therapists and other health care professionals work together with physicians as a team to provide a total health care plan for each patient.

A referral for care may be made by a physician, hospital discharge planner, friend or family member, or patient.

Our Referral Coordinator, a registered nurse, initiates a package of services, based on the current needs of the patient and the orders of the patient's physician.  These services may include nursing, home health aides, therapies, medical social services, or hospice.

The patient's own physician is involved as a key member of the home care team. Contact between the VNA staff and the patient's physician is ongoing.  Staff members provide feedback to the physician about the patient's progress and note changes in the patient's condition.  They function as the "eyes and ears of the physician" outside the physician's office.

Our caregivers combine "high tech" medicine with "high touch," compassionate care, in the comfort of the patient's home. VNA staff stay abreast of the latest medical developments and broaden their areas of expertise through continuing education. Our team includes a certified wound care specialist, case managers, and nurses certified in hospice and palliative care.   (Return to top)

Nursing Care

VNA nurses are central to the care provided in the home. They conduct patient and environmental assessments and coordinate the care provided by all team members. VNA nurses are available to patients 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for phone consultation or, when necessary, a home visit.

VNA nurses offer a wide range of specialized services including wound care, home infusion, and hospice care.  VNA nurses keep the patient's own physician informed of significant changes in the patient's condition.

They also provide instruction and education to family, caregivers, and patients on the disease, treatment plan, medications, diet, injections, IV infusions, and dressing changes. (Return to top)

Social Services

During illness and recovery, patient and family are often faced with overwhelming emotional and financial

issues. The social service staff provides support in dealing with these issues and acts as a patient advocate and resource person.

The social service staff:  

• Helps patients and families reorganize their own resources to best deal with their situation.

• Helps patients make connections with other community resources

• Helps patients with the long range planning and coordination of services.

• Helps patients accept changes in lifestyle due to physical limitations

• Has a thorough knowledge of Medicare/Medicaid insurance reimbursement policies that families may find bewildering.

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Therapy

The VNA offers a full spectrum of rehabilitation therapies to assess patients’ abilities and disabilities and improve patients’ activities of daily living, with the goal of restoring function and striving toward optimum performance.

Physical therapists work with patients to improve strength; to move safely within the home; and to gain independence in walking, climbing stairs; and moving from one location to another at home.

Occupational therapists work with patients to improve strength; to increase home safety; to bathe themselves; to prepare meals; to retain or regain fine motor coordination; and to provide instruction and adaptive equipment so that patients can improve their ability to care for themselves.

Speech therapists work with patients to provide treatment for speech and cognitive difficulties and swallowing disorders and to assist staff and family members in communicating effectively with the patient. (Return to top)