Home Healthcare Services Provided by Visiting Nurses of the Lower Valley in Connecticut

VNLV offers a comprehensive cardiopulmonary program designed to meet the needs of patients with a variety of cardiac and pulmonary diseases. Whether the patient is recovering from an acute cardiac episode or is chronically ill with heart disease or COPD, our team of clinicians (RNs, OT, PT, and MSW) are experienced in developing care plans that meet each patient’s specific needs.

The use of telecommunications technologies to remotely monitor patient vital signs and health status, while the patient stays comfortably at home:

• increases quality-of-life and patient satisfaction
• significantly reduces the risk of hospitalization
• catches early signs of exacerbations or health declines
• allows care givers to stay better connected with patients

Visiting Nurses of the Lower Valley is committed to making the transition from hospital to home as smooth as possible for you or your loved one. Transitional Care focuses on ensuring the coordination and continuity of health care. The goal of Transition Care is to increase patient access to healthcare resources, better coordinate the appropriate use of those resources, increase adherence to medication regimens, reduce unnecessary readmissions, and improve each patient’s satisfaction with their experience of care. Our Transitional Care Manager will help you every step of the way.

To learn more about Visiting Nurses of the Lower Valley’s Transitional Care Program, call 860-767-0186.

VNLV’s Chronic Care Management Program teaches patients and families about their condition and how to manage it to maximize quality of life, reducing unnecessary hospitalizations, controlling pain and symptoms, and finding a balance with holistic care that addresses the individual’s body, mind and spirit. VNLV tailors a care plan specific to each person’s unique needs and personal goals for care.

Diabetes is a disease with no cure. It is a chronic condition that must be controlled daily using your doctor’s advice, diet, exercise and life-long education. Diabetes management reduces the risk of complications, such as heart and circulatory disease.

VNLV nursing and nutrition staff assess patient needs and develop a diabetes self-management program geared to the patient’s specific needs and lifestyle. Diabetic self-management programs include:

• Appropriate food and meal planning
• Blood glucose monitoring instructions
• Education on how daily activities affect blood glucose levels
• Education on potential diabetes problems and complications
• Exercise and activity suggestions
• Instruction on diabetic medication

Wound care is a growing need for home care patients. The Wound Care Nurses at VNLV use cutting-edge technology and advanced wound care products to ensure optimal patient outcomes. Overseen by a certified Wound, & Ostomy Nurse, our program is designed to promote healing and comfort while putting our patients at ease.

Symptoms

• Arterial, diabetic or stasis ulcers
• Traumatic wounds
• Burns
• Pressure ulcers
• Surgical wounds

VNLV provides a full range of Home Rehabilitation Therapies:

Physical Therapy: Involves the direct manipulation by a licensed therapist of muscles, joints and other parts of the patient’s body. Physical training involves strength training, heat treatments, massage and supervised exercises, all administered via doctor prescriptions.

Speech Therapy: The need for speech therapy is often due to a stroke. Speech therapy includes articulation, dysphagia (swallowing) receptive and expressive language disorders, aphasia, apraxia and cognitive-linguistic deficits.

Occupational Therapy: Is a skilled treatment that helps you adapt activities of your daily life to changes in your physical condition brought on by illness, age or accidents.

• Activities of daily living such as dressing, bathing, eating and grooming
• Activities for memory, orientation and cognitive integration
• Adaptive techniques / equipment to overcome physical disabilities
• Strengthening and coordination exercises to maintain normal joint movement

VNLV’s medical social worker services are provided by a social worker experienced and knowledgeable about health care systems and the community resources available to meet patient needs, based on the circumstances of the situation by the referral source and the patient. Our services include a careful assessment of your physical and emotional condition, followed with a plan of care. We provide a combination of supportive counseling and referrals to help you cope with illness or injury.

Our caring and capable credentialed home health aides are ready to assist you, and help lessen the burden everyday with activities including: bathing, dressing and making meals. Our home health aide services can help if:

• you are disabled due to illness or injury
• you are recovering at home from surgery
• your day-to-day activities have become difficult
• you need assistance with personal care, such as bathing, dressing, or eating
• you need assistance with light household chores
• you need reminders to take prescribed medications

A registered nurse supervises the home health aide, and services are closely monitored for appropriateness and quality. This level of assistance is often key to maintaining client safety and comfort at home.

VNLV partners with Lower Valley Care Advocates to bring you the best service and continuum of care in the area. Lower Valley Care Advocates, provides private in-home care consisting of non-medical services including escorted transportation, companions and help with activities of daily life. Find out more here