Home Health Services Testmonials

Stories from VNA Home Health Services Clients

Lucy knows that consistency is key in receiving a quality home health service – for the care recipient and her family. When her mother needed shower assistance twice a week after a stay in the hospital, the first service provider they used was disappointing. Then Lucy called VNA, whose number was on a list provided by her mother's doctor. Now the same nurse has cared for her mother for two years.

"The consistency is important to us," Lucy explained. "My mother is in and out of the hospital; she's 89. To have a constantly changing set of circumstances makes things more confusing for her. We know we can call the nurse anytime. She can even give us a reality check if we're not sure whether to call the doctor about something."

The nurse who visits her mother "is just great to work with," Lucy noted.

"She has a sensitivity and an understanding of the whole person approach and realizes there is a quality of life issue here," Lucy said. "She also sees how we care for my mother, and can tell us if we could do something to help her."

While her mother lives with Lucy and her husband, they work full-time, and their home is located out of town. It is important to them that the home health service is reliable.

"The first service provider just wouldn't show up sometimes," Lucy said. "And you can't always find the resources that you need – we live out in the country. But with VNA, services are becoming more available; it's different from 10 years ago."

Lucy also finds VNA's staff to be observant. She feels at ease knowing that staff who visit regularly become familiar with her mother and notice changes in her behavior.

"During one visit, they said, 'Your mom seems really tired and dizzy today.' We had been with her earlier, but had not noticed her feeling that way," Lucy said. "That resulted in a hospital episode because she was approaching dangerous signs. It is a great benefit that they are trained beyond their specific task."

Since her mother cannot be left alone for long periods of time, Lucy noted that VNA's home health service is what keeps her living at home, instead of having to move to a retirement community.

"They provide the personal care that she now needs, which I am not able to provide," Lucy said.

As Lucy's mother may require another level of care soon, they plan to visit with a social worker, who can assess her situation.

"VNA provides quality care. They are professional and good people to deal with," Lucy added. "We can count on them, and have never felt uncomfortable with any of the staff coming in and doing things. We've been very appreciative of what they've done for us."

~ Client of VNA Home Health Services

A retired nurse, Eleanor had heard excellent reviews of VNA's service even before she required home health care herself.

One of her knees had been replaced, as well as each of her hips, so Eleanor needed a physical therapist and a nurse to visit her at home twice a week.

"Dee-Dee is a good nurse, and Bill is a great physical therapist," she noted. "I knew they were paying attention to everything that was going on. Bill knows a lot – I know this because whatever he did always worked!"

Eleanor, who is legally blind, said her caregivers' service was always friendly, upbeat, professional and punctual. She also felt that she received the most modern treatments, with positive results.

"I have nothing but praise for them," she said. "I feel very safe with VNA, and they made me feel like a part of their team. I know that they will come as long as I need them, and they never made me feel like they were put upon."

Reliability is another key to VNA's service, according to Eleanor. Now that she has experienced their care, she knows they will call if they will be late, never leaving her to wait and wonder.

"They'll do what they say, and they make you feel comfortable," she explained. "They are also efficient, and open to suggestions."

~ Client of VNA Home Health Services

After having experienced home health care through a private company out of state, Michael appreciates VNA's care philosophy, which he said does not include strict rules or limitations on care, and does provide some leeway for care recipients. Before he moved to Maine three years ago, his daughter, a physician, did some research and suggested he use VNA's service once he arrived.

Michael, who is 72 and has had multiple sclerosis for about 35 years, receives a visit from a male home health care nurse once a month. He also has a urinary tract issue which led to a permanent installation of a catheter. Once a month his nurse asks what supplies Michael needs for each issue and orders them. They are all delivered to his home by UPS.

"My regular nurse is kind and concerned; clinically he's very good, and extremely knowledgeable," Michael noted. "He just gets it – and has a lot of empathy. I'm a satisfied customer."

He appreciates the vast array of services VNA staff are able to perform.

"Once I was experiencing extra physical limitations. I contacted VNA and they recommended and sent over a physical therapist with a Doctorate in Physical Therapy. He taught me so much," Michael explained. "He spent a lot time with me, continuing long after I thought he would stop. It was really helpful."

Michael said he's also been given intravenous medicine at home, a service his regular VNA nurse provided. When he was using the private company, he noticed there were limitations to what their staff could do. He also could not get the supplies he wanted from the private company, and was told he had to order and pay for them himself.

"VNA gets me whatever I ask for," he said. "I can't say enough about how good their service is. They are outstanding. I have an emergency number to call if I need it, and there is always someone on duty at night, which is helpful."

Michael feels that one of the most important things about VNA's service is the sincerity and concern they have for patients.

"All of their staff have a nice touch. Starting with your first impression of them from the receptionist, you know you have someone who will do their best to get you to the right person," he explained. "They are thorough, but it's not like they are just running a business. It's a very kind operation."

Having quite a bit of experience with the medical community for nearly four decades now, Michael said it is important for those interested in this kind of care to get referrals and talk with those who have used the service.

"VNA is compassionate, knowledgeable, and most of all, sincere. I put a lot of value in that," he said.

~ Client of VNA Home Health Services