By Mark Rondeau, Vermont Maturity.
BENNINGTON — VNA & Hospice of the Southwest Region, founded in 1946, is celebrating 80 years of service to the community and compassionate care.
“Our agency is celebrating 80 years of providing home health services in the community this year,” VNAHSR said in a statement. “We started as just a small group of community members that gathered to create an organization that would provide skilled nursing in the home with a mission to promote health and independence.
“Fast forward 80 years later, we are a strong, vibrant nonprofit across Bennington, Rutland and Franklin counties, serving thousands of patients!”
Founded in Rutland, VNAHSR is a non-profit, Medicare-certified home health and hospice agency delivering a wide-range of advanced medical care with compassion, dependability, and expertise to people of all ages.
Staff of the VNAHSR are local, most have lived in Vermont their entire lives. Some have worked with the agency for 35 or more years. Some clinicians have had patients they’ve cared for 10+ years.
“We are incredibly grateful to our staff, board, volunteers, partners, and supporters whose commitment to excellence has sustained us for 80 years,” said Jessica Boutin, Chief Executive Officer. “Our history is built on a foundation of compassion and community, and it is that same spirit that will guide us into the future as we continue to serve our neighbors with unwavering care and respect.”
With office locations in Bennington, Manchester, Rutland and St. Albans, VNAHSR is one of Vermont’s largest not-for-profit community health providers of home health, hospice and community services. More than 250 certified home health aides, rehabilitation therapists, social workers and visiting nurses bring their skilled care and compassion to people who need it most each day. Whether in their homes, or through one of our many community clinics, we help bridge the gaps to secure the health care people need most.
VNAHSR is highly rated for Quality of Patient Care and Patient Satisfaction from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
The agency provides services when in-home care is needed — or preferred. Its programs span a lifetime — from prenatal care to care for young families to rehabilitation, long-term care, and end-of-life care. They bring advanced care to our patients where they’re most comfortable and can heal the fastest — in the home.
The specialized home care VNAHSR offers includes: Skilled nursing, Chronic illness and disease management, Physical, occupational and speech therapy, Medical social work services, Case management, Home health aide services, Parental and enteral nutritional therapy, Infusion therapy, Behavioral and mental health counseling, Hospice and palliative care, Telemedicine, Vaccinations, Home medical equipment, Educational advice, Wound care, Pain management and Home safety instructions.
VNA & Hospice of the Southwest Region makes its core values clear in its mission, vision, and core values statements. The mission: “To enhance the quality of life of all we serve through comprehensive home and community health services.” The vision: “To be the best provider of home and community-based health care in Vermont.”
Several core values guide staff in how they approach their business decisions and relationships with patients and families, their partners in service and each other. These core values: honesty, excellence, accountability, leadership, teamwork, and helpfulness.
In addition to services for patients, VNAHSR offers opportunities to volunteer and be part of their caring and dynamic team.
Hospice volunteers provide comfort and support to patients facing terminal illness, as well as respite and support to their families. Volunteer training covers the basic principles of hospice, understanding the special needs of patients and their families, effective communication, patient care, pain and symptom management, spiritual care giving, and understanding grief and loss. Hospice volunteers are trained in listening skills, family dynamics and in using appropriate words to comfort patients and their loved ones at the end of life.
After completing the class, volunteers can provide respite for caregivers, offer companionship for the patient, run errands and help families and patients in many meaningful ways.
For more information about the agency, visit VNA & Hospice of the Southwest Region: https://vermontvisitingnurses.org/. Phone: Rutland: 802-775.-0568 or 800-244-0568. Bennington: 802-442-5502. Manchester: 802-362-2126.
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