The Visiting Nurse Association (VNA) is a nonprofit organization, providing home health care to patients in the community who are recovering, disabled, chronically or terminally ill and require medical treatment, pain control and symptom management, and/or assistance with activities of daily living.

“Most people think of Hospice when they hear VNA, but they need to know it is so much more,” said Maria Galka, director of development, when she received a $1,000 donation from Duneland Resale.

The VNA’s home care program includes nursing: Home health aide services; nutritional support; physical, occupational and speech therapies; home hospice and inpatient hospice care; and medical social services. The VNA also provides supportive care including Meals on Wheels, Companion Homemaker and Lifeline.

“These programs allow our patients and clients to safely remain in their own home, where they prefer to remain for as long as possible,” she continued.

In 2006 VNA caregivers provided home care services to more than 1,700 patients. Additionally, the VNA Hospice program provided comfort and care for 713 terminally ill patients and their families.

The Meals on Wheels program provided 49,545 meals to 292 elderly and disabled in the community, 119 clients received Companion Homemaker services and 282 clients where provided reassurance through participation in the Lifeline emergency response program during 2006.

The VNA is a licensed, Medicare/Medicaid certified, United Way member agency and is accredited by the Community Health Accreditation Program.

For more information, contact the VNA of Porter County at 501 Marquette St., Valparaiso, IN 46383. Phone, 462-5195.

Posted 12/26/2007