 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Contact Us
» Directions
» Contact Us
Greater Lehigh Valley Visiting Nurse Association
501 North 17th Street, Suite 200
Allentown, PA 18104
Phone:
610.395.2500
888.905.2500
Fax:
610.432.1675
|
|
 |
|
 |
 |
I’d like to invite you into the home of one of our patients. Mary is an 84 year
old woman, who lives with her 87 year old husband, Bob. Although frail, they are
both in relatively good health. But then, Mary had a slight stroke. She was hospitalized
for 6 days, and discharged. She had difficulty walking, talking, and moving her
right hand. She came home with new medications and several new exercises to do on
a regular basis. As much as Bob wanted her to be at home again, he was petrified
that he wouldn’t be able to take care of Mary, take care of himself, and motivate
Mary to exercise so that she would regain her strength.
But his fear was short lived. A few hours after they returned home, Mary’s case
manager from the Visiting Nurse Association of Pottstown called to say that she
would be over. When she arrived, Bob and Mary both felt a tremendous relief. They
learned that the case manager would come and assess Mary’s status and her to understand
her new medications. In addition, a physical, occupational and speech therapist
would visit to work with Mary to help her regain her movement, speech, and her ability
to take care of herself. Until she was able to manage simple daily tasks, a home
health aide would assist her with bathing, dressing, and other personal care.
VNAP also provided a Telehealth computer, so that even when a nurse was not present,
Mary’s vital signs could be assessed on the equipment that was linked to the office.
Bob and Mary realized they truly had the best of both worlds. They were receiving
highly skilled healthcare and they could be together at home where they both
feel comfortable.
It seems like the perfect solution—and it is. But, there’s one problem. One major
problem. Recent changes in Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement leaves a severe deficit
when we provide care to patients—especially those, like Mary, with extensive healthcare
needs. The deficit, of course, does not mean the patients don’t need the care. And,
because of our sincere commitment to the people of our community, it certainly
does not mean that VNAP will not provide the care.
It just means that we need your help. We need you to help Mary, Bob, and thousands
more like them each year. The cost to make one skilled home health care visit to
one patient is $150. Your gift of would help to ensure that Mary can receive a skilled
nursing or therapy visit to help her return to her prior level of health.
There are hundreds of more heart wrenching stories. Luckily there are many ways
for you to help. Just look at the ways your generosity could make a difference in
the health and happiness of one—or many—of your neighbors.
Here are ways for you to support the Visiting Nurse Association of Pottstown:
|
|
|
