Volume 24 • No.

2 • 2009

Comprehensive Healthcare. We’re There.

VNA Today
T h e N e w s l e t t e r o f t h e Vi s i t i n g N u r s e A s s o c i a t i o n

Home Healthcare: CEO’s Chat

Understanding Your By Jim Newbrough
President/CEO
Options “Change starts when
If you or a loved one has recently someone sees the next step.”
experienced surgery or an injury, —William Henry Drayton
you are sure to have questions
about the help available as you Over the past few months, we at the VNA of
recover. The questions become the Treasure Coast have been going through a
more complex if your loved one great deal of change. Much of this change has,
has recently been diagnosed in fact, been the result of someone “seeing the
with a chronic illness, such as next step,” namely, our dedicated associates,
heart failure, COPD, diabetes, or who now number over 500.
hypertension, because these conditions require life-long management. Perhaps The VNA has a long history of providing
most confusing of all though are the array of home healthcare options available home health and hospice care throughout
once you’ve decided to be cared for in your own home. Here, we will highlight the our community, but as our community
different types of home care available through the VNA of the Treasure Coast. continues to change, the healthcare needs of
area residents will begin to change as well.
Skilled Care As President & CEO of the VNA, one of my
Skilled care includes medical care, medication management, rehabilitation, goals is to ensure that our organization is
positioned to meet these emerging needs,
and education provided by nurses (RNs or LPNs) or by physical, speech, or
from an increase in the prevalence of chronic
occupational therapists. Skilled care is provided on an intermittent basis,
illness, to more demand for bereavement
meaning a nurse or therapist may visit you at home several times each week, but
support services, to the growing number of
will not provide around-the-clock care. Skilled care (as well as supportive care by area residents struggling to pay for home
a home health aide, dietitian, and/or a medical social worker) is generally paid health and hospice care. Fortunately, our
for through Medicare Part A, Medicaid, or a private insurer. To receive skilled home health, hospice, and private duty teams
care through Medicare, patients must be “homebound,” meaning they can leave have the experience, expertise, and amazing
the home only with great difficulty, and a physician must order home care for dedication to patient care that will allow them
them. You can also receive skilled care by paying a private-duty nursing agency to rise to the occasion.
to provide it, though a physician’s order is still required.
Knowing the challenges ahead, we’ve been
Home Health Aides busy building a leadership team that can
help our organization take the next step.
Home health aides provide assistance with dressing, bathing, feeding, getting Over the past few months we’ve added some
into and out of bed, offering medication reminders, and taking vital signs. new leaders to our team, including directors
Their services are paid for by Medicare when part of a larger home care plan of Home Care, Hospice Care, Private
of treatment, or they can be obtained by paying privately for an agency such as Duty Nursing, Education, and Business
VNA’s Nightingale Private Duty Nursing to provide them. Development/Sales. These associates join the
(continued on page 2) experienced team that has been leading our
organization successfully. Working together,
these professionals will help the VNA take its
Correction: In the previous issue of VNA Today, we incorrectly identified the next steps forward. We will be introducing
sponsor for VNA Hospice’s Camp Chrysalis. The children’s bereavement day you to our leadership team and other
camp, which was held on April 18th, was sponsored by the associates in the months ahead. I know you’ll
Clint S. Malone Memorial Fund. enjoy getting to know them, just as I have.

www.vnatc.com • 1110 35th Lane • Vero Beach, FL 32960 • 772.567.5551 • 800.749.5760

Home Healthcare: Understanding Your Options (continued)
Private duty aides can work hand-in-hand with skilled nurses and therapists
to ensure patients receive the proper level of care. In fact, Nightingale can even
provide aides on a twenty-four-hour- or live-in basis.

In-Home Companions
While nurses, therapists, and home health aides provide medical assistance,
in-home companions provide non-medical support such as:
• transportation to doctor appointments
• assistance with errands or shopping VNA Mobile Unit Schedule
• going to a concert, movie, or community events
• doing light housekeeping or laundry The VNA Mobile Unit provides basic
• helping to prepare meals healthcare services free of charge for
Indian River County residents who
It is important to understand that companions are not allowed to provide are without health insurance or access
hands-on care such as medical care, help with bathing, assistance with getting to a private physician. Our Mobile
into or out of bed, or medication management. The VNA provides companions Unit’s nurse practitioners can examine
through Nightingale Private Duty Nursing. Because companions are a private- patients, diagnose their illnesses, and
pay option, there is an hourly fee for their services, and Medicare, Medicaid, and prescribe medications.
most private insurers do not pay for them.
Sunday
To learn how the VNA and Nightingale Private Duty Nursing can help you or
9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
your loved one, please call us today at 772.567.5551.
Fellsmere Community Center
32 North Broadway Street
Fellsmere
Note: In this article, we have purposely excluded discussion of hospice care,
a specialized type of home care available for those diagnosed with a life- Monday
limiting illness. 8 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Winn Dixie Shopping Plaza
2950 9th St. S.W.,
Vero Beach *
Welcoming New Directors Tuesday
The Visiting Nurse Association of the Treasure 8 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Coast is pleased to announce two new members of Riverview Park
our senior leadership team. Judy Schuler, RN, MBA U.S. Highway 1 and Harrison St.
Sebastian *
has been selected as the agency’s new Director of
Home Health Services in Indian River County and Wednesday
Karen Bolle, RN, BSN, CHPN, CHA has been selected 8 a.m. – 7 p.m.
as the new Director of Hospice Services. VNA Parking Lot
Schuler comes to Vero Beach from Columbus, Ohio, 1110 35th Lane
where she served as Executive Director of Employer Vero Beach *
Services for WorkHealth, OhioHealth’s occupational
Thursday
health program, which served over 7,000 employers 8 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Judy Schuler
through five health centers and over twenty on-site Gifford Youth Activity Center
operations centers. In her new role, Schuler will 4875 43rd Avenue
be responsible for strategic planning, operational Vero Beach *
oversight, and financial management of the VNA’s
home healthcare operations in Indian River County. Friday
8 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Bolle brings to the VNA more than 25 years of
VNA Parking Lot
clinical, educational and managerial experience in
1110 35th Lane
hospice and other healthcare settings. In her new
Vero Beach *
role, Bolle will be responsible for the management
and direction of all aspects of the VNA’s hospice Saturday
program. Prior to joining the VNA, she served as the 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Director of Patient Care Services at Hospice Care in CVS Pharmacy
Downey, California, where she provided leadership, 8495 U.S. Highway 1
education, and development of the staff and medical Wabasso
directors.
Karen Bolle * Closed for lunch from noon – 1 p.m.

VNA Today
Mary DeBonis Learns to Dance COPES Meeting Schedule
Born in Shelton, Connecticut, Mary DeBonis lived in New York City, The VNA’s Caregiver Ongoing Practical
Brooklyn, and Long Island, worked for Chase Manhattan Bank for nine Education & Support (COPES) program offers
years as a supervisor, had two wonderful marriages, and three years ago practical training and support to those caring for a
moved to Vero Beach where she now lives with her daughter, son-in-law, sick loved one. The program is free of charge, and
and their one dog. Mary’s avocation is painting. She has many beautiful all are welcome to attend.
watercolor and oil paintings on her walls, mostly of family members but
also of beautiful, colorful landscapes. Art is in her genes. Her son was a Third Thursday of every month
protégé of Salvador Dali. Some of her grandchildren paint as well. 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.
These days, Mary keeps a busy schedule, thanks to Nightingale Private First Presbyterian Church
Duty Nursing’s Friends with Wheels Companion Program. Pat Gabbard, 1405 Louisiana Avenue, Sebastian
a Nightingale companion, goes with Mary to the Irish-American Club
weekly for dinner and dancing. Pat also accompanies Mary to the Senior Third Thursday of every month
Center where they listen to music and dance. “I never danced a day in my 1:30 – 2:30 p.m.
life before coming to Vero,” Clare Bridge Cottage of Vero Beach
said Mary. After her late 420 4th Court, Vero Beach
husband passed away, the
VNA Hospice bereavement
group invited Mary to join
Bereavement Support Group
them, and there she met Meeting Schedule
several people who were
going through the same VNA bereavement counselors offer guidance
experience. “I learned
and support to individuals and families who have
about some of the activities
experienced the loss of a loved one. Services are
in Vero from talking with
provided free of charge. All are welcome to attend.
others in my bereavement
group,” she said. Now her 1st and 4th Tuesday
daughter says Mary is a Companion Pat Gabbard with Mary DeBonis
6:30 – 8:00 p.m.
“band groupie,” following
Crossroads Christian Fellowship
the band from place to place just so she can listen and dance to their
Fellowship Hall
music! “She’s getting a lot of enjoyment out of life,” Mary’s daughter
10205 US Highway 1, Sebastian
added.
This is a general bereavement group.
“If you don’t try something, you’ll never get anywhere.” This is Mary’s
wise advice to anyone who might be thinking of venturing out but might 2nd Wednesday
be a little reluctant. “When I went to my first dinner dance, I told them I 2:00 – 3:30 p.m.
couldn’t dance, but they convinced me that I could, with some help. And Harbor Chase
now I can’t stay away.” Library
When they’re not busy dancing or listening to music, Pat and Mary go 4150 Indian River Boulevard, Vero Beach
shopping, go out to eat, and even play a few slot machines! It’s perfectly This is a general bereavement group.
harmless, says Mary. We only play for a nickel and all our winnings are
in gift cards…so we can’t get into too much trouble! “Pat is a real jewel,” Wednesday
Mary said. “She’s made my life so much brighter.” 1:30 – 3:00 p.m.
Our Savior Lutheran Church
Classroom #4
About the Friends with Wheels Program 1850 6th Avenue, Vero Beach
Nightingale’s Friends with Wheels companion program is designed This is a general bereavement group.
to assist individuals who need a little help at home so that they can
Thursdays
remain independent and continue their daily activities. Some other
examples of companion services include: driving and accompanying 2:00 – 3:30 p.m.
clients to appointments, the grocery, or to run errands; going to lunch Sebastian River Medical Center
together; taking a scenic drive; going to a concert or movie; doing light Conference Room
housekeeping; helping to prepare a meal; and playing cards or a game. 13695 US Highway 1, Sebastian
Nightingale companion services can be customized to help the client This is a general bereavement group.
maintain their normal daily activities.
Thursdays
As part of the Friends with Wheels program, a Registered Nurse 7:00 – 8:30 p.m.
also comes to visit periodically to make sure everything is running Community Church of Vero Beach
smoothly. At these visits, the RN can detect medical issues that need Library
to be addressed, bring them to the patient/family’s attention, and help 1901 23rd Street, Vero Beach
troubleshoot solutions. This group is for parents who are coping with the
loss of a child.

The Newsletter of the Visiting Nurse Association

How To Obtain VNA Services NON PROFIT
ORGANIZATION
U.S. POSTAGE
You can have a VNA nurse visit you at
home by calling our office or asking your PAID
doctor to call for you. If you are in the
VERO BEACH, FL
hospital, ask the discharge planner to call
1110 35th Lane • Vero Beach, FL • 32960 PERMIT #240
us. Always use our full name—Visiting
Nurse Association or VNA Hospice—if you www.vnatc.com
ask someone to call for you. Following the
call, a nurse will visit you at home and, after
establishing a plan of care with you and your
doctor, will begin making regular visits.

Indian River County:

772.567.5551 or 800.749.5760
Brevard County:
321.752.7550 or 888.771.0260

*VNA accepts payment from

Medicare/Medicaid, Private
Pay, Private Insurance,
Workers’ Compensation and
Veterans’ Assistance.

Mailing Information
If you receive multiple mailings, would like
to update your address, or would like to be
removed from our mailing list, please call
772.978.5546.

Home Telehealth Helps VNA Patient’s Hopes Take Flight

Lieutenant Colonel Jack Taylor
Twenty-three years in the army, and
sixty-seven countries later, Lieutenant
Colonel Jack Taylor and family settled
in Vero Beach. In 1970 Col. Taylor
began a twenty-year career with the
American Cancer Society and now
sits on the orginization’s Board of
Directors. In 1975 he helped found
and sat on the first VNA & Hospice
Foundation Board of Directors,
watching the organization grow from
one nurse to the vibrant organization
it is today.
information about him, and allows him to transmit these
readings to a VNA nurse. If his vital signs or weight fall outside
of acceptable ranges identified by his doctor, Jack’s nurse or
doctor can take action to intervene. “I had almost a depression
before I went into the hospital and wasn’t eating well, but now
I’m more conscious of that and am starting to eat well.”
These days, Jack tends to his orchid house and is out
by 7:00 a.m. once a week for bird watching from a golf
cart. In November, 2008, Jack was given the high honor
of “Environmental Citizen” by the Pelican Island Audubon
Society for twelve years of spotting, surveying, recording, and
making notes of the birds on the Indian River Club golf course.

After almost sixty-five years of marriage, Jack’s wife Olive
passed away in early 2008, and the Colonel’s health was
failing. “I was recently hospitalized with congestive heart
failure, and quite frankly I didn’t think I was going to get out. I
was thinking, ‘this is the end,’ because I had pneumonia…and
they gave me blood transfusions. I was fairly convinced that I
was never going to go bird watching again.” (Bird watching is
Jack’s passion.)
Thankfully, Jack was discharged home, and the VNA was
able to equip him with an in-home telemonitoring system. The
easy-to-use monitor prompts him to take his pulse, weight,
blood pressure and blood oxygen levels each day, asks medical
Jack flew to Kentucky in December, and will travel to
London in June where he will place Olive’s ashes in the
churchyard where they were married. Then, it’s on to birding
in Scotland and straight to Colorado for his grandson’s
wedding.
Jack is more proactive in his healthcare regimens
due to telehealth monitoring and just a few weeks after
hospitalization, he began to enjoy an overwhelming increase in
quality of life. Also, he can’t sing enough praises about his VNA
caregivers. “They are really fine young ladies that are coming
around, from the physical therapists to the nurses and the
specialists. It’s just been great!” he says.

Medicare Certified • License #HHA21276095/HHA213870961/HPC5038096/HHA299991281 • Hospice License Issued In 1986