Long Term Care

The goal of the Long Term Home Health Care Program, also known as a “Nursing Home Without Walls,” is to encourage and maintain independence and autonomy of the individual to the highest degree possible. Our team of professional, experienced caregivers provides a positive alternative to institutionalization for people of all ages who are disabled or chronically ill, and in need of ongoing health care. We assist family, friends, and neighbors in the care of loved ones at home. In order to qualify, patients must be a resident of Monroe County and be covered by Medicaid, medically eligible for nursing home level of care, either skilled or health related, approved for Long Term Home Health Care by a physician and can be safely cared for at home, based on a complete health, social and environmental assessment.

Clinical services include:

• Case management by an RN with advanced training
• Home health aide services
• Rehabilitation therapies such as physical, occupational and speech
• Medical social work
• Nutritional counseling

Additional support services include:

• Meals On Wheels
• Personal Emergency Response System
• Home maintenance and improvement
• Housekeeping and heavy chores
• Social day care and transportation

Cardiac Care

VNS nurses are available 24 hours a day to assess chest pain, heart and lung sounds, respiratory difficulties, and wounds and provide the necessary physician-ordered care. Using standardized educational programs, patients are taught healthy heart living, how to care for themselves following cardiac procedures and surgeries, and are given knowledge about the cardiac drugs that have been prescribed. Care is directed by the patient's physician and brought to the patient through highly trained and experienced cardiovascular nurses. To keep cardiac patients heart-healthy at home, they provide:

• Case management by RNs wit advanced cardiopulmonary training with Nurse Practitioner available for in-home consultation
• Vasopressor/vasodilator continuous infusions
• Oximeter testing
• Point of care PT/INR testing
• EKGs
• Cardiac rehabilitation
• Disease management services for HF, cardiac surgery and COPD
• Telemedicine monitor with disease management protocols
• Falls prevention identification and education
• Wound care and ostomy management by a board certified nurse

Cancer Care

The cancer care program is designed to meet the complex needs of patients with potentially life threatening illnesses. Palliative care benefits patients with uncontrolled symptoms like pain or nausea using a team approach to care which also involves the family. Our goal is to maintain a patient/family focus throughout the home care process. Staff work closely with the physician to develop individualized home care plans that meet medical, psychosocial and spiritual needs of patients. Services include:

• Case management by an RN with advanced training in acute and palliative care
• Individualized care plans based on the stage and severity of illness
• Symptom management
• Certified chemotherapy nurses available for in-home consultation and administration
• Maintenance of central line devices and infusion administration
• Wound care and ostomy management by a board certified nurse