VNA Today

Volume 26 • No. 1 • 2011

The Newsletter of the Visiting Nurse Association

of the Treasure Coast

VNA 2010–2011 Annual Appeal

Now Under Way Support your VNA
Today!
If you have already chosen to
support the VNA & Hospice
Foundation’s 2010–2011
Annual Appeal, we thank you!
If you have not yet made your
contribution, please consider
doing so today. You can give
online quickly, easily, and
securely by visiting
www.vnatc.com/foundation.
Simply click on the red,
“Donate Now” box to make
your contribution to our
2010–2011 Annual Appeal.

On behalf of those less

fortunate in our community,
we say “Thank You.”
100 percent of contributions received are
retained by the Visiting Nurse Association and
Hospice Foundation. A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL
REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION
MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF
CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-
FREE (800)435-7352 WITHIN THE STATE.
You may have received a mailer from the VNA during the past REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSMENT,
APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE
few months entitled “A Community of Caring.” This booklet is the STATE. Please write us at our address if you wish
to have your name removed from the mailing list to
cornerstone of the VNA & Hospice Foundation’s 2010–2011 Annual receive fundraising requests to support the Visiting
Nurse Association and Hospice Foundation, Inc. in the
Appeal. If you have already pledged your support to this year’s future. CH3553

appeal, we offer our sincere thanks. If you have yet to respond, below
are a few frequently asked questions we receive regarding our annual
fundraising appeal and how your support helps to make a difference
in the lives of area residents.
WHAT’S INSIDE

Q. Annual appeal…does that mean the VNA is a not-for- 4 Therapy Services

profit organization?
6 Answer Nurse
A. Yes. The VNA and all of its subsidiaries, including Nightingale
Private Duty Nursing, are 501(c)3 organizations as defined
by IRS regulations. Our annual fundraising drive is conducted by 8 In Your Words
the VNA & Hospice Foundation, the philanthropic branch of our
See Annual Appeal on page 3 © 2011 VNA of the Treasure Coast

www.vnatc.com • 1110 35th Lane • Vero Beach, FL 32960 • 772.567.5551 • 800.749.5760

 CEO’s Message
“Living the Dream” is doing what you are most passionate about with people around you
who share the same motivation. That is what I am doing as President & CEO of the VNA. I
am awestruck by the amount of support the community and volunteers have given and
continue to provide our VNA patients and families. I am very proud to serve as this
organizations’s leader.

In November, 2010, our board of directors and senior leadership team embarked on a
three year journey to become the highest quality patient care provider in the communities
we serve. We developed a strategic plan with a strong focus on clinical quality, patient
satisfaction, associate retention and education, and exceeding the needs of the
communities we serve. We plan to measure our progress toward becoming the B.E.S.T.,
Joyce Baldrica, literally.
President and CEO

“B” stands for budget and growth – as an industry we need to strive to make
healthcare affordable and provide value to the patients and medical community.
The VNA will define our current and future markets, develop a comprehensive growth plan
and align resources to ensure patient accessibility to health care services.

represents the experience we provide to our patients. We will continue to

“E” provide patient-centered, efficient, and timely care involving families and friends.
Surveys are sent to patients and/or families measuring their satisfaction with our services.

“S” isreported
the core of what we provide – safe clinical quality care. Our publicly
outcomes on quality will meet and at times exceed the national averages.
Our newly implemented electronic medical record system will provide real-time clinical
information about our patients to ensure we have the most up-to-date information to
make the best clinical decision.

“T” isWeforcareteam – we need highly satisfied associates to provide high quality service.
for those who care for our patients.

This balanced approach (B.E.S.T.) to strengthen our services will guide us as we are faced
with competing priorities. The board of directors and senior leadership team are excited
about our future direction.

Our first major hurdle in our journey is the Medicare cuts to our home health and hospice
reimbursement, effective January 1, 2011. This impact will reduce VNA reimbursement
$100,000 per month. The federal government has been charged with funding Healthcare
Reform and the need to cover the 40,000,000 people who currently do not have insurance.
In order to fund this endeavor, the federal program, Medicare, is being reduced for almost
all providers—including home health and hospice. Support from the VNA & Hospice
Foundation will need to help us meet this challenge, and our leadership will continue to
assess and implement measures to reduce the cost of services in order to continue to
provide care.

The VNA has thrived and survived the past thirty-five years and with your help and
ongoing support will be able to survive and thrive another thirty-five years.

Thank you for your continued support,

Joyce Baldrica, President & CEO

2 www.vnatc.com
Continued from page 1

Annual Appeal Now Under Way Community

organization. Through the annual appeal and other fundraising Partnerships
activities—such as our annual Golf-A-Thon, memorial/honorary
donations, bequests, and other planned gifts—the VNA & The mission of
Hospice Foundation is able to provide more than $1 million the American
each year to help support the VNA’s home health, hospice, and Cancer Society
community wellness programs. is to eliminate
cancer as a major

Q. But don’t you charge for the services you provide?

How can you be a not-for-profit?
health problem. The American
Cancer Society provides programs,
services, resources, information,
A. “Not-for-profit” means that any surpluses we generate
stay in our community to benefit local patients rather
community fundraising
opportunities, and support. They
than being returned to corporate shareholders elsewhere. In are the largest non-governmental
fact, being a “not-for-profit” doesn’t mean an organization funder of cancer research in
should be unprofitable. Quite the contrary, we must generate the United States, spending
surpluses if our agency is to continue providing the highest approximately $130 million each
quality care for our patients. For example, operational surpluses year to work to find cures. The
enable us to invest in specialized education and certification American Cancer Society funds
for our clinical staff, purchase medical monitoring equipment groundbreaking research that helps
for use in patients’ homes, and maintain our technological better understand cancer’s causes,
infrastructure so we can operate as effectively and efficiently as determine how best to prevent
possible. Operating efficiently is particularly important for our it, and discover new ways to cure
organization due to inadequate reimbursement from Florida’s it. As a “Relay for Life” business,
Medicaid program and ongoing reductions in the reimbursement the VNA is a proud supporter of
we receive from the Medicare program. We estimate that our the American Cancer Society. For
reimbursement from Medicare this year will be reduced by more information, please visit their
approximately $1 million when compared with last year. website at www.cancer.org.

Q. So, how does your annual appeal figure into all of

this?
Make A Gift
A. Every day in our community, men, women, children, senior
citizens, and families are unable to afford the healthcare
Make a gift to the VNA &
Hospice Foundation now and
they urgently need. Some have no insurance at all, while others
keep the income for life with a
are under-insured or have coverage with prohibitively high
charitable gift annuity!
deductibles. Regardless of their specific situations, all share a
common challenge as they find themselves without adequate Single Life
resources to pay for their care. Age of Gift Annuity
Annuitant Payment Rates
The VNA & Hospice Foundation’s annual appeal raises funds to
provide critical support for home health and hospice programs 60 – 69 5.0 – 5.6%
and services to meet the charitable healthcare needs in our 70 – 79 5.7 – 6.9%
community. Annual appeal contributions make it possible for 80 – 89 7.1 – 9.2%
our team of nurses, clinical specialists, therapists, and social 90+ 9.5%
workers to provide compassionate care to patients and their This information is provided as an educational
families. Without this support, we simply would not be able service only. Rates are subject to change. For
one-life or two-lives specific rate information,
to function—the way we do today—as a lifeline for those who contact Richard Johnson at the VNA &
Hospice Foundation at 772.978.5574 or email
have nowhere else to turn for in-home care because of limited rjohnson@vnatc.com. For advice, contact your
financial resources. tax advisor.

VNA Today 3

Therapists
Wanted!
Are you a physical, speech, or
occupational therapist, or do
you know someone who is? If
so, contact the VNA today! We
are currently seeking therapists
to join our home care teams
in Indian River and Brevard
Counties. We offer:
• Competitive salaries
• Relocation packages
• Flexible hours and In-home rehabilitation therapy can fall into one of three main
minimal travel
• No-cost health insurance
• On-site wellness clinic for gain independence in walking, climbing stairs, or transferring
associates
• Company paid CEUs
To learn how you or someone
you know can join the VNA
team, please visit us online at
www.vnatc.com and click on
“Careers” at the top right of
your screen.
4 www.vnatc.com
VNA’s Therapy Services
If you have ever received physical, speech, or occupational therapy,
then you clearly understand the benefits that rehabilitation therapy
offers. Therapy services are one of the major types of patient care
provided by the VNA in patients’ homes. In fact, approximately
40% of the patients we see receive physical therapy at some point
during their episode of care. To put this number into perspective,
last year, VNA therapists made more than 22,000 home visits to
patients needing physical, speech, or occupational therapy services.
And while many of our patients are senior citizens, we’ve also
provided therapy services to patients as young as six months of age.
As with other in-home healthcare services, we provide therapy
services to patients based on a plan of care that is driven by each
patient’s personal goals and may include interventions designed to
manage pain, increase or recover functionality, improve balance,
prevent falls, and develop home exercise programs. One of the
VNA’s newest therapy programs is intended to help patients with
low vision issues adapt safely to their home environment.
Patients are usually referred to the VNA by their physician, often
due to a change in their medical condition such as:
• problems with walking or falling
• a diagnosis of arthritis, Parkinson’s disease, stroke, or head
injury
• medical or surgical issues, or
• an orthopedic procedure such as hip or knee replacement
Types of Therapy
catagories:
• Physical Therapy: Helps patients regain strength and
mobility, enabling them to manage in their environment safely,
in and out of a car.
• Occupational Therapy: Allows patients to retain or regain
fine motor skills, enabling them to perform essential daily
living activities, such as bathing, dressing, and eating.
• Speech & Language Therapy: Treats disorders of speech,
language, and swallowing, including assisting family members
in effectively communicating with the patient.
If you believe that you or a loved one may be able to benefit from
in-home therapy please contact the VNA to learn more about how
we may be able to help.
Medicare 101
Medicare is a health insurance program for
seniors aged sixty-five or older and for people
with qualifying disabilities. Individuals who paid
Medicare payroll taxes while they worked are
eligible for Medicare coverage.

There are many different types of Medicare

coverage, but the four most common are
Medicare Parts A and B, which are government
administered, and Medicare Parts C and D, which
are administered through private health insurance
companies. There is also Medicare Supplemental
Insurance, sometimes called Medigap Insuarance,
which helps cover the gaps in cost not covered by
standard Medicare.

Medicare Part A is standard Medicare, also

known as the Hospital Insurance Program. Part
A covers hospital costs including: inpatient care,
skilled nursing care, hospice care, and some
home health services. A premium payment is not
required for Medicare Part A.

Medicare Part B, also known as the Medical
Insurance Program, covers the following: doctors’
services, outpatient care, some home health
services, physical and occupational therapy, and
some preventive services. A monthly premium
is deducted from your social security check,
depending on your income.
Medicare Part C, also known as the Medicare
Advantage program, allows patients to choose
a health plan offered by a Medicare-approved
private insurance company. Most Medicare
Advantage plans offer coverage such as vision,
hearing, and dental. Part C may charge additional
monthly premiums and copayments on top
of monthly premiums. The cost of Medicare
Advantage programs varies by plan.
Medicare Part D offers prescription
drug benefits to Medicare recipients and is
administered by a Medicare-approved private
insurance company. Often, Medicare Advantage
plans already include drug coverage, so you may
not need to purchase a Part D plan. A monthly
premium is required in addition to paying a
copayment for medications. Cost of Medicare
prescription drug coverage varies by plan.
“Medigap” policies help pay for additional
costs not covered by standard Medicare such as
copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles. There
are twelve different Medigap policies, which are
administered by private insurance companies.
Medigap insurance requires a monthly or
quarterly premium in addition to your Medicare
Part B premium. You don’t need a Medigap
Policy if you have a Medicare Advantage Plan and
Medigap policies do not cover health costs for
your spouse.
Choosing a Medicare plan and/or supplement
that is right for you can be confusing. Talk to your
physician to determine what coverage you need.
You can also contact your local SHINE (Serving
Health Insurance Needs of Elders) representative
for assistance and information. Visit their website
at www.elderaffairs.state.fl.us/shine or call
1.800.963.5337.
The VNA accepts the following Medicare plans:
traditional Medicare, Medicare railroad benefits,
and TRICARE. Additional plans accepted are:
AARP Medicare Complete, Advantra Freedom,
Health First Health Plans, Humana, Secure
Horizons, United Healthcare, and Universal
Healthcare.
VNA Today 5
 Answer Nurse
Living With the Challenges of Low Vision
Glenda Grady is an Advanced
Registered Nurse Practitioner with
the Visiting Nurse Association and
is certified by the American Nurses
Credentialing Center in Family
Practice.
Health
Screening
Schedule
Available
Online
Did you know that you
have access to the VNA’s
blood pressure/blood
sugar screening schedule
with just a click of a
button? Visit
www.vnatc.com and
click on the “Community
Wellness” block in the
center of the screen to
view the latest schedule.
You may also call our
health screening hotline at
772.567.5760, Option 6.
6 www.vnatc.com
Millions of Americans lose some of their vision every year. An estimated
fourteen million Americans are visually impaired and this number is expected
to grow significantly as our nation ages and age-related eye diseases become
more common. Anyone with reduced vision not corrected by eyeglasses or
contact lenses can be considered visually impaired. Vision loss is the third
leading cause of disability among Americans and women have a significantly
higher risk of being visually impaired than men.
Q—What is Low Vision?
A—Low vision is the loss of sight that impairs everyday functioning that is not
correctable with prescription eyeglasses, contact lenses, or surgery. Low Vision
includes different degrees of sight loss, from blind spots, poor night vision, and
problems with glare, to an almost complete loss of sight.
Q—Who can be affected by Low Vision?
A—Although low vision can occur at any stage in life, it primarily affects the
elderly. Low vision is more common in adults over age forty-five, and even
more common in adults over age seventy-five. However, low vision is not a
natural part of aging. Most people develop low vision because of eye diseases.
Common causes of low vision include: macular degeneration, glaucoma,
diabetic retinopathy, and cataracts.
Q—What are some common symptoms of Low Vision?
A—The symptoms described below may not necessarily mean that you have low
vision. However, if you experience one of more of these symptoms, contact your
eye doctor for a complete exam.
• Difficulty recognizing objects at a distance (street signs or bus signs)
• Difficulty differentiating color (particularly in the green-blue-violet range)
• Difficulty seeing well up close (reading or cooking)
Q—What can I do if I have Low Vision?
A—There are many places you can go for help if you have low vision. Local low
vision programs may offer a variety of services, such as, low vision evaluations
and special training to use visual and adaptive devices. They may also offer
guidance for modifying your home as well as group support from others with
low vision.
Q—Where can I get more information on local Low Vision Services?
A—The VNA offers a low vision program called HomeSight which can help
homebound patients become more independent. The program is covered by
Medicare. For more information on VNA Low Vision services, please call the
VNA at 772.410.4462.
The VNA Answer Nurse welcomes your questions. Please write or call: The
VNA Answer Nurse, 1110 35th Lane, Vero Beach, FL 32960, 772.978.5636,
or answernurse@vnatc.com. This material is for general information. To
diagnose a specific illness or disorder, consult your doctor.
A Big Fan of Telemonitoring
As the first home health agency in
the community offering in-home
telemonitoring in 2007, the VNA is
taking the service to the next level
with new technology that collects
more information, analyzes it better,
and sends a patient’s daily vital signs
to the physician in an instant. Mobile Unit
With three heart attacks within the last twenty-five years, and
problems with retaining fluid around his heart, Walter Comstock,
Schedule
eighty-one, was the ideal candidate to be the VNA’s first “telehealth”
patient four years ago. Monitors kept daily track of his weight, The VNA Mobile Unit provides
pulse, blood pressure, and other key indicators of good health. If his basic healthcare services free of
vital signs were outside the normal range, he got an immediate call charge for Indian River County
or visit from a VNA nurse. residents who are without
health insurance. Our Mobile
The new system has superior features to what we had previously,” Unit’s nurse practitioners can
explained Mary Jane Davis the VNA’s Vice-President of Home
examine patients, diagnose
Health Professional Services. The new equipment also monitors
their illnesses, and prescribe
blood oxygen level and it can monitor the effectiveness of blood
thinning medicine. It is also wireless, making it available to the medications.
growing number of people without “land line” telephones. Sunday 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
The idea behind in-home telemonitoring is to catch certain kinds Fellsmere Community Center
of health problems before they result in hospitalization. During 56 North Broadway Street, Fellsmere
a six-month period from December 2009 through May 2010, the Monday 8 a.m. – 7 p.m.
VNA tracked forty-five patients who had Congestive Heart Failure, Winn Dixie Shopping Plaza
(CHF), common among older people. Twenty-five had in-home 2950 9th St. S.W., Vero Beach *
telemonitoring and twenty did not. Only twelve percent of patients
on VNA telemonitoring were readmitted to hospitals within thirty Tuesday 8 a.m. – 7 p.m.
days of being discharged while twenty-five percent of those not Riverview Park
monitored were readmitted. U.S. Highway 1 and Harrison St., Sebastian *

Mr. Comstock remembers the telehealth lessons he learned about Wednesday 8 a.m. – 7 p.m.
diet, exercise, and better medical awareness. He still follows the VNA Parking Lot
same self-examination procedures he learned. “I felt like I was 1110 35th Lane, Vero Beach *
being watched when I needed it,” said Mr. Comstock, still a big fan
of telemonitoring. His wife, Barbara, said the system helped her
Thursday 8 a.m. – 7 p.m.
confidence that he was doing well.
Gifford Youth Activity Center
4875 43rd Avenue, Vero Beach *
Among other improvements in telemonitoring, the “health status”
questions a user answers are targeted to the patient’s specific
Friday 8 a.m. – 7 p.m.
condition. The monitor is multi-lingual and easier for patients with
VNA Parking Lot
1110 35th Lane, Vero Beach *
vision or motor skill impairment. In addition, the weight scales are
lighter and wireless, reducing the possibility that the patient might Saturday 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
trip over the wires. CVS Pharmacy
8495 U.S. Highway 1, Wabasso
Sadly as we went to press we learned that Mr. Comstock passed
away. Walter and his wife will continue to be in the VNA’s thoughts * Closed for lunch from noon – 1 p.m.
and memories.

VNA Today 7
 Nightingale Provides Exceptional Care

The following is a letter Nightingale received from a patient’s daughter regarding the
exceptional care Nightingale provided her father.
Dear Sally,

I am writing this letter to thank you, although there are no words that can adequately express
our thanks, for your excellent care of my father, during the past 1 ½ years.

I remember when I first met you in March 2009. You were extremely knowledgeable and
professional but more than that, kind and understanding. I knew you and my Dad would click
and that you were the right nurse for the job. As the months went by, our family was more and
more impressed with your thoroughness, your useful suggestions, and your attention to every
detail relating to Dad’s care. Never once did I ask a question for which you did not have the
answer. Also, as Dad’s condition changed, your ability to adjust his care plan accordingly was
amazing.

Not only was your own care outstanding, but your ability to coordinate a small army of home
health aides and companions was incredible. Your success in managing Dad was remarkable,
in fact much better than we could have done! It never ceased to amaze us how well you could
handle our sometimes prickly and fiercely independent father. There is no way on earth he
could have lived independently in Florida without your support, and for that we will always be
extremely grateful. You made it possible for him to live his life on his terms for a very long time.

I must also thank you for keeping me updated and informed on Dad, his health, and his care
for all those months. You returned every phone call promptly, initiated calls when necessary,
and communicated with his doctor’s offices as well. I can’t imagine the amount of behind-the-
scenes time you must have spent on the phone coordinating all his care. It was reassuring that
I could get detailed updates from you, while I was trying to manage his care from Connecticut.
You were my eyes and ears and I trusted that the information you gave me was accurate and
truthful. For this I can never thank you enough.

We would like to express our heartfelt thanks to Jackie, Rick, Carlene and Claudette from
Nightingale as well for their dedication and care. They were part of the team that allowed Dad
to live on his own in Florida for so long. Every one of them treated Dad with respect and helped
him maintain his independence for longer than any of us had thought possible. They gave him
friendship, and companionship again with good humor, tact, and responsibility.

Sally, in this letter I have attempted to put into words that which cannot be put into words.
I hope that you and I might meet again so that I could give you a hug and again give you the
thanks you so richly deserve. I have been so impressed, and so grateful for all you have done
over the last year and a half. Thank you again, from the bottom of my heart, and on behalf of
all my family, for helping us during this daunting situation. God Bless you.

Sincerely,

Jeanne Aldrich

8 www.vnatc.com
Nightingale is Home Care
Pulse Certified
Nightingale Private Duty
Nursing recently received its
Home Care Pulse Certification.
Home Care Pulse, a company
which measures client
satisfaction, created the certification program to measure
key satisfaction aspects of an agency’s in-home care
delivery. Home Care Pulse believes that certifying agencies
can both educate and help families to make better care
decisions for their aging loved ones.
“We know that sometimes it is difficult to make care
decisions when you don’t have specific experience with
an agency. It was our goal to provide families with the
ability to make an informed decision, have tangible ways
to measure quality, and help them find a comfort level
when choosing an agency to work with,” commented Aaron
Marcum, founder of Home Care Pulse.
The Home Care Pulse Certification requires an agency
to be reviewed monthly and includes the evaluation of
client satisfaction in areas such as: timeliness, knowledge,
and compassion of caregivers; effective communication;
problem resolution; and whether or not services are
delivered as promised. Clients are also asked if they
would recommend Nightingale Private Duty Nursing to
others and to rate the agency’s overall quality of service.
In all, the Home Care Pulse evaluation includes thirteen
questions related to client satisfaction.
“While this certification is not required in our private
duty industry, we chose to adopt the high standards it
requires because our clients deserve high quality,” said
Joyce Baldrica, President & CEO of Nightingale’s parent
company, the VNA of the Treasure Coast. “The initiative
demonstrates our commitment and relentless pursuit to
provide the best experience for our clients.”
“We want to congratulate Nightingale Private Duty
Nursing for becoming a Home Care Pulse Certified home
care agency and commend their commitment to placing
high priority on client and employee satisfaction,”
concluded Marcum.
To find out more about the Home Care Pulse Certification,
please visit www.npdn.com and click on the Home Care
Pulse logo.
Please Join Us in
Welcoming…
David Griffin
Senior Care
Consultant
David brings to
the VNA more
than twelve
years of sales
and marketing
experience. In
his new role, he will be responsible for
enhancing and developing new and
existing service lines and conducting
one-on-one consulting with clients and
families.“We are excited about David
joining our team here at Nightingale
and the VNA,” said Joyce Baldrica,
President and CEO. “His experience and
knowledge of private duty care will be
a great addition to our wonderful VNA
Nightingale program.”
Prior to joining the VNA, David served
as an Account Executive with Gentiva
Home Health Services in Port St. Lucie,
Florida. In addition, his experience
also includes serving as the Marketing
Director for Access Lab in Vero
Beach, Florida, where he recognized
and implemented additional facility
locations to help meet the demand for
doctors and their patients.
“I am excited to be part of an
organization long recognized by the
medical and private community for
its excellent customer service and
compassionate patient care. Nightingale
is truly committed in offering the
highest level of private duty care. I look
forward to working with such a talented
team,” said Griffin.
David earned his Bachelor of Science in
Liberal Arts from Neumann College in
Aston, Pennsylvania.
VNA Today 9
 Let Us Help You VNA’s First “Hustle for Home
Through Trying Health and Hospice” a Success!
Times
The VNA’s “COPES” program offers
practical training and support to
those caring for a sick loved one.
The program is free of charge, and
all are welcome to attend.

COPES Caregiver Support

Group
Third Thursday of every month
10:00 – 11:00 a.m
First Presbyterian Church
1405 Louisiana Avenue, Sebastian
VNA bereavement counselors
offer guidance and support to
individuals and families who have
experienced the loss of a loved
one. Services are available free of
charge to all Indian River County
residents. All are welcome to
attend.
Bereavement Support Group
Tuesdays 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Hall
10205 US Highway 1, Sebastian
This is a general bereavement group
Wednesdays 1:30 – 3:00 p.m.
Our Savior Lutheran Church
1850 6th Avenue, Vero Beach
This is a general bereavement group
Thursdays 2:00 – 3:30 p.m.
Sebastian River Medical Center
13695 US Highway 1, Sebastian
This is a general bereavement group
Thursdays 7:00 – 8:30 p.m.
The VNA held its first “Hustle for Home Health and Hospice”
on November 20, 2010 in celebration of the VNA’s 35th
anniversary and in recognition of November as National Home
Care and Hospice Month. The event raised more than $7,000 for
charitable home health and hospice care in Indian River County!
At 7:35 a.m., 283 walkers and runners participated in the 3.5-
mile event, which started and ended at VNA headquarters (1110
35th Lane), and also incorporated the VNA’s Hospice House
parking lot. Complimentary long sleeved t-shirts were awarded
to the first 235 registrants, all finishers received a specially
designed medal, and food, refreshments, entertainment, and a
prize drawing were provided after the event.
The event was made possible by the support of Dyer Auto,
Miller’s HealthMart Pharmacy, Scripps Treasure Coast
Newspapers, Treasure and Space Coast Radio, JAS Fitness,
Oxygen Plus, Peace River Citrus, The Majestic Movie Theater,
DeRoyal, Social Kaboom, Vero Insurance, Heartbeat of the
Treasure Coast, and Bridgevine. The pre-event warm up
was provided by JAS Fitness, Advanced Motion Therapeutic
provided complimentary massages after the event, DJ David
Hoover rocked the audience by playing the number one songs
from the past thirty-five years, and timing and race guidance
were provided by Runner’s Depot of Vero Beach.
On behalf of our patients, the VNA would like to thank the
community, participants, sponsors, and the thirty volunteers
who helped make this event a success!

Community Church Library
1901 23rd Street, Vero Beach
This group is for parents who are coping
with the loss of a child
If you have any questions or wish to discuss sponsorship
opportunities for the 2011 “Hustle,” please contact Tracey
Kendrick, Communications Manager, at 978.5515 or
tkendrick@vnatc.com.

10 www.vnatc.com
What Your Donations Accomplish
Thanks to the VNA & Hospice Foundation and
generous community support, fifty-five-year-old
Carolyn Swanton, a Vero Beach resident, received
almost two-and-a-half years of care from VNA
Hospice.
Carolyn was first diagnosed with Non Hodgkin’s
Lymphoma in 2001. She began receiving hospice
care in July 2007 and was discharged and
readmitted to hospice several times between then
and December 2009. Carolyn’s condition seemed
to improve many times as the VNA hospice staff
provided supportive care. After gaining stability
and being discharged, her health would quickly
decline without VNA support and she would be
readmitted into hospice. Sadly in 2009, Carolyn
passed away peacefully in the VNA Hospice House.
Carolyn’s entire experience with the VNA was
funded through charitable care. Because of her
age, Carolyn did not qualify for Medicare. She did
not have private insurance and could not afford
to pay out-of-pocket expenses for hospice care.
During the two-and-a half years she was on VNA
Hospice services, Carolyn received care in her
home, in the hospital, and in the VNA Hospice
House. While in the Hospice House, her room and
board, her daily medications, and additional costs
were all covered.
According to a close friend, “Carolyn was very
grateful to the VNA for services they provided to
her. Since she was in the care of the VNA for so
long, she established a close relationship with
some of her caregivers and looked forward to their
visits.”
It was very difficult for Carolyn’s friend to watch
her health gradually decline. “The VNA caregivers
helped me understand the different stages she
was going through and provided comfort and
understanding in a very professional manner.
The genuine care and compassion that was given
to Carolyn throughout her journey cannot be
measured and will never be forgotten by her family
and friends.”
The VNA Hospice House is the only hospice facility
in Indian River County, providing patients the
highest quality end-of-life care. Last year, more
than 200 patients were cared for in the house. For
more information or to schedule a tour, please call
772.567.5551.

How your contribution helps:

• $15 covers a patient’s medication, durable
medical equipment, and additional supplies
like gloves, diapers, and materials used to treat
wounds for one day at the VNA Hospice House

• $141 pays for the weekly oxygen costs for all

patients at the VNA Hospice House

• $500 covers the weekly cost for linen service for

all patients at the VNA Hospice House

• $1,200 is the monthly amount needed for all

patients’ meals and snacks at the VNA Hospice
House

VNA Today 11
 NON PROFIT
ORGANIZATION
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
VERO BEACH, FL
PERMIT #42
1110 35th Lane • Vero Beach, FL • 32960
www.vnatc.com

*VNA accepts payment from Medicare/

Medicaid, Private Pay, Private
Insurance, Workers’ Compensation
and Veterans’ Assistance.

Mailing Information
If you receive multiple mailings, would like
to update your address, or would like to be
removed from our mailing list, please call
772.978.5546 or e-mail mgardner@vnatc.com

Follow Us On Facebook: facebook.com/vnatc

VNA Makes “Best Places to Support the

Work” List! VNA Golf-A-
We are pleased to
announce that the VNA
Thon!
of the Treasure Coast The VNA’s twenty-first annual
was recently selected Golf-A-Thon will be held on
as one of Indian River Monday, May 2, 2011 at Riomar
County’s 2010 Best Places Country Club. Twelve golf pros
to Work by Workforce from local clubs play 135 holes
Solutions. The VNA also of golf to help raise funds for
received this recognition charitable healthcare.
in 2009. The VNA was Last year, the VNA’s generous
awarded the honor for its donors contributed more than
outstanding educational programs, benefits, and associate wellness $200,000 to the Golf-A-Thon.
initiatives. To be considered for the award, the VNA completed a This support provided charitable
forty-question survey that cataloged turnover; growth; employee health services to people in our
training and development; promotion rates; employee evaluations community who did not have
and feedback; percentage of employee injuries; diversity of the resources to pay for the
management; benefits offered; and average pay increases. quality home health and hospice
care they deserved.
“The VNA cares for those that care for others. Higher associate
For more information on how
satisfaction leads to higher patient satisfaction, which is the core of
to become a sponsor or make a
our business,” said Joyce Baldrica, VNA’s President and CEO.
donation, visit www.vnatc.com/
For information about how you can join our team, please visit the foundaion or contact Beverly
“Careers” page of our website. Smith at 772.978.5573

Medicare Certified • License # HHA21276095/HHA299991471/HPC5038096/HHA299991281 • Hospice License Issued In 1986