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Issue 2

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Happy 100th Birthday - To Us!
The Branford VNA, one of our ancestor organizations, (the other is the Guilford VNA) was founded in 1910 by local citizens in a time when home nursing focused on infectious diseases, maternal child health and hygiene. Throughout our centennial year, we will be highlighting past achievements and the promise of home healthcare for the future. Check our website for updates or to view pictures.

Conquering Chronic Disease

VNA Community Healthcare nurses Ingrid O'Donnell, Kristen Smith and Barbara Katz were recently certified to teach the evidence based, Stanford University Chronic Disease Self Management Program. Using techniques, such as motivational interviewing and the Stages of Change Model, the program helps participants set their own self management goals and provides specific tools to help achieve them.

Click here to read an article about this program in the current AARP magazine. VNACHC will offer the free six session program in late March (see program flyer below).   Email Barbara Katz (BKatz@vna-commh.org) or call her at 203.458.4232 for further information.

Follow us on Facebook!
VNA Community Healthcare and our private home care affiliate, LifeTime Solutions have recently launched separate Facebook pages. We'll be providing updates on caregiver issues, programs and centennial activities.
LifeTime Solutions will focus on senior safety issues and healthy aging.

Cutting Health Care Costs - Where Do We Go Now?

With "big" healthcare reform on hold, speakers at the recent Northeast Home Care Leadership Conference told us that "small" health care reform will probably continue. The links below highlight potential future legislation:

Home care chronic disease management and telehealth - strategies to reduce hospital admissions and improve outcomes.

Transitional care programs - Nurse coaches visit patients in both the hospital and at home to better manage discharges and reduce readmissions.

The medical home - An expanded form of primary care practice that delivers and coordinates evidence-based medical care for a group of patients and is combined with a comprehensive payment for services.

Parkinson's Exercise Group has Openings

Our ongoing Parkinson's exercise group is now open to new members. Meeting Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10:30 am - 12 pm at our Guilford office, this class helps individuals maintain strength and balance and manage symptoms like muscle rigidity. The cost is $6 per class. Contact Ann Burke, RN (aburke@vna-commh.org) or call 203.458.4284 to register.

Parkinson's Caregiver Support Group

Family caregivers can attend our Parkinson's Caregiver Support Group which meets on the last Thursday of the month from 10:30 am - 12 pm (during the exercise class). For more information, contact Jane Olson (JOlson@vna-commh.org) or call 203.458.4259.

New Year Healthy Eating Tips

Mary Ann Meade, RD, VNACHC's nutritionist suggests:
1). Eat meals at regular intervals throughout the day. There is no way one can eat well on one meal a day.
2.) Make all meals balanced to keep you full and give yourself energy. A balanced meal has a protein source (dairy, meat, fish, poultry, soy/tofu, beans), grain or starch and fruit and/or vegetable.
3.) Choose snacks with a source of either fiber or protein.
Click here for Mary Ann's snack ideas. To contact her directly email mameade@sbcglobal.net or call 203.265.9756.

Creative Infection Control

Caught without your hand sanitizer and worried about germ ridden hand shakes? Worry no more - area physicians have introduced us to the "elbow bump," a new technique in which clothed elbows are briskly touched together as a polite greeting.

Back on His Feet - A VNACHC Success Story!
Reverend Ed Dobihal of Hamden, one of the founding members of Aging at Home, a program designed to keep seniors independent, recently told us how VNA Community Healthcare nurse Michelle Katz, RN, and physical therapist Margaret Palmeri, helped him do just that after a serious fall.

Michelle visited me regularly, checked my pulse, blood pressure and blood sugar. She kept in close touch with my doctor. She found out that my fainting spells were related to dehydration and taught me how to keep myself hydrated. My physical therapist helped me get back on my feet with balance exercises. I was very impressed with the quality of the VNA staff.