VNA's LifeStages Team

Trust the company with over 90 years of experience in home care for your elder care

There are many companies providing in home care. So how do you choose? At VNA, we think our staff makes a difference in the quality of care we provide. Our caregivers are experts in elder care and they have been chosen because of their commitment to patient care and the compassion they show for our clients. With over 90 years of experience caring for people in their homes, VNA is the company to rely on when you need elder care.

What it takes to be a LifeStages caregiver for VNA

With over 90 years of service, VNA knows what it takes to deliver care in someone’s home. We are very selective when choosing companions and caregivers for our LifeStages clients. What we search for is a unique passion for quality care and commitment to every patient.

Specific criteria that potential VNA LifeStages caregivers must meet include:

  • A professional and complete application
  • An intensive round of interviews
  • Thorough reference checks, criminal and driving background checks
  • Pre-employment physical
  • Vaccination documentation and TB screening
  • Drug screening
  • Active, on-the-job orientation

At VNA LifeStages, we recruit staff who strive to care for each patient just as they would a beloved member of their own family. We orient and train our staff extremely well, asking them to keep in mind how they would want to be treated in their home. Our training is both in the classroom and with supervisors in the field. All employees must also attend our customized Alzheimer's training program.  This rigorous selection and orientation process means that our caregivers and companions are adaptable, comfortable and skilled, no matter the situation. In our 90 year history, we've realized that the key to giving excellent service is to hire just the right people.

Meet the LifeStages’ Team

Lisa Fuller, Director of Business Development and LifeStages

“I love having LifeStages as part of the VNA family. No other home care provider offers the full continuum of care that we strive to give every day. From companions to therapists to nurses, our team all work together ensuring our clients receive seamless, compassionate, and high quality care.” – Lisa Fuller

Lisa Fuller has worked with elders and their families since 2000. As founder of a successful home care agency, she worked closely with caregivers, families, facilities and agencies throughout southern Maine. She left that organization in 2008 and established LifeStages to provide many unique services that help families and seniors who want to continue to live independently in their own homes. Lisa was a past board member of the Visiting Nurses Association and Hospice of Maine. She is also a member of the National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers and holds a Certificate in Mediation. Lisa is a former contributing columnist on elder care issues to Maine Women's Journal. As a former second Vice-President at a Fortune 500 company, Lisa brings her administrative and business acumen to each client situation, helping to restore calm and confidence during trying times. Her team has been carefully selected to convey LifeStages' caring support to ensure that your loved one continues to lead the most positive lifestyle possible. Lisa earned her B.A. in Economics at Allegheny College in Pennsylvania. She lives in Portland with her husband and two English Bulldogs.

Catherine Studley, Manager of LifeStages

"What I love about LifeStages is the real impact our services have on the people we work with. Whether it's a couple of hours of Companionship care or 24 hours of personal care, we partner with our clients to make their lives more enjoyable, easier to manage and to provide the care they need right in their own home. It is wonderful work." Catherine Studley

Catherine Studley is a nonprofit administrative professional who has dedicated the majority of her career to hospice. She has provided leadership to hospice programs in New Hampshire, Vermont and Maine. Catherine has been responsible for all aspects of agency management including quality assurance and program growth. Her passion for working with elders and families makes her an excellent speaker and educator for LifeStages. Catherine has created and managed many successful fundraising events and development campaigns over the years. She has also effectively represented her agencies in the media, specifically in print, radio and television. As Manager of the LifeStages program, Catherine is building on past experiences with a new level of involvement and excitement.

Barbara Pires, RN, Care Manager

"I feel like I'm performing services that help people stay healthy and in their homes. They know they can come to me with concerns and questions. Sometimes folks just need a compassionate ear to listen and support them, and I provide that."

Barbara Pires has been a part of the VNA team for more than 12 years, serving in various capacities. The majority of Barbara's work has been focused on providing skilled nursing care and case management to clients in their homes. She has also served as a hospital liaison, Adult Health Promotion Nurse, Corporate Wellness Nurse and Provider Liaison. During her career at VNA, Barbara has taught health education and conducted several clinics at senior housing facilities, provided health screenings for businesses and acted as a liaison between physician’s offices and facilities. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from Westbrook College, as well as an MMC-RN-Cardiology. Barbara is currently studying at the University of Southern Maine for her Certified Case Manager and GCM certificates.

Robin Wright, LCSW, Care Manager

"People ask me how it is that I like working with older adults who may be living with illness, loss of independence or facing a life limiting diagnosis. For me it feels like VNA is exactly where I should be and the needs people have later in life feel similar to the needs we all have throughout life in that most of us want as much independence as possible, to have our needs respected and to have meaningful connection to others." - Robin Wright

Caregiving is Robin Wright’s passion and her career in health care spans for-profit, non-profit, education, hospice and mental health. As LifeStages Geriatric Care Manager, Robin works directly with clients and families to help them understand options, provide necessary supports and create plans of care to meet the specific and unique needs of that person or family at that point in time.

Robin earned a BA in Sociology from St. Joseph’s College, and a Masters Degree in Social Work from University of New England. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and has in the past been Adjunct Faculty at St. Joseph’s College. While at VNA, Robin has been responsible for management of VNA’s hospice services in addition to other responsibilities.

 

For more information about the services offered through VNA’s LifeStages, please call 207.780.8624 or 800.757.3326.