In addition to in-home rehabilitation therapies, RVNAhealth has a Rehabilitation & Wellness Center at our flagship at 27 Governor Street, and at RVNAhealth at GPC, both in Ridgefield, CT.
RVNAhealth is a private, nonprofit organization that has been providing exceptional home and community health care services, supports public health and safety, and has promoted the highest quality of life for over 100 years. Learn more about us ››
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At RVNAhealth, there is the care we deliver. And there are the people we deliver it to. People like Ray. 81 years old. A Bronze Star Vietnam veteran. Key player in The Orchids band. A mainstay in our Chronic Care program. A man of many lives.
Meet Ray
Ray is the son of immigrant parents who came to America as teenagers from Campobasso, Italy and worked hard to achieve the American Dream. Ray embraced the life he was given, serving his country in Vietnam and returning to pursue his passion for music with his band, The Orchids.
Ray’s music career was taking off when he was hit by a drunk driver at age 29. He suffered a broken femur, ruptured his spleen, and lost his left eye. Not insignificant injuries. But Ray was young and driven and he didn’t miss a beat. He donned an eye patch, rejoined his band, and returned to tour, across the country and abroad.
At 55, after decades on the road, Ray had a stroke. One of his heart valves was replaced, and a pacemaker put in. A few years later, Ray lost his wife and continued to struggle with ongoing health concerns.
As his health costs grew, Ray had no choice but to sell his home in New Milford and move into subsidized housing to make ends meet. Like many with limited health insurance, Ray was a “frequent flyer” at the local emergency room. Fortunately, the Town of New Milford saw the pattern and recognized that with the right care at home, Ray could maintain his health and avoid distressing and unnecessary hospitalizations.
Enter the RVNAhealth Chronic Care Program — and the ‘Cool Cats’
The RVNAhealth Chronic Care Program serves individuals who benefit from an added layer of nursing oversight to maintain stability – keeping an eye on them, their health, and escalating health concerns.
Ray now has a weekly visit from one of two RVNAhealth nurses – Danielle and Donna. Ever the musician, Ray calls them his “cool cats.” And they are.
Every week, they monitor Ray’s vitals, give him a thorough body check, manage his pain medications, and keep an eye on his state of health and well-being. Under their vigilant watch, Ray received same day medical care for pneumonia, when they found him confused and struggling to breathe on a routine nursing visit. Their immediacy prevented hospitalization and further complications. On another occasion, they escalated a severe case of Shingles which was threatening Ray’s working eye. Had Ray not received prompt treatment, he could have gone completely blind.
On any given day, there are 120 patients like Ray in RVNAhealth’s Chronic Care Program — individuals in need of healthcare they couldn’t otherwise afford. For these individuals, the personal relationship and professional care RVNAhealth brings is the difference between staying in the comfort of their own homes or moving into an institutional setting.
Where would people like Ray be without us? Where would we be without you?!
For 109 years, RVNAhealth has been a community-based non-proit organization that provides care for people of all ages, from birth through end of life. Today, we serve more than 5,000 people annually across 35+ Connecticut towns, with home healthcare, rehabilitation therapies, palliative and hospice care. Our donor-fundedcommunityprograms for Chronic Care patients, underinsured children, and first-time, low-income mothers serve those who might not have access to care without our support.
These individuals depend on RVNAhealth to keep them safe and healthy during some of life’s most challenging times. RVNAhealth depends on financial support from individuals like you who believe that healthy communities improve the quality of life for everyone.
Pleasemake a gift to RVNAhealth today and know that every gift — no matter the size — is critical to upholding our mission and sustaining our important work.
RSVP: Open and free to the public. No RSVP necessary. Contact facilitator Mel Wutke with any questions at: mwutke@rvnahealth.org or 203-851-3321
Objective: Build a support system with people who understand. Alzheimer’s Association® support groups, conducted by trained facilitators, are a safe place for people living with dementia and their care partners to:
Develop a support system.
Exchange practical information on challenges and possible solutions.
Talk through issues and ways of coping.
Share feelings, needs and concerns.
Learn about community resources.
Visit alz.org/ct to learn more about caregiver programs and resources. To further extend your network of support, visit ALZ connected®, our online community, at alzconnected.org.
About RVNAhealth’s Melissa Wutke
Melissa is a Certified Dementia Practitioner, and currently works at RVNAhealth as a Home Health Aide Supervisor. Before joining RVNAhealth, she acquired extensive experience working with persons affected by Alzheimer’s and related dementias in private home, assisted living, and memory care facilities. Melissa previously ran the Newtown Alzheimer’s Support Group through the Alzheimer’s Association (AA) and has received numerous certifications through AA.
As an enhancement to RVNAhealth’s Balance & Beyond classes, we are pleased to present our new class, “Strength and Beyond”!
This class, a level up from our original Balance and Beyond class, is designed to build strength, restore balance, improve your mobility all while giving your brain a great workout!
This higher intensity interval training class will have you moving through a series of upper and lower body strengthening, functional mobility, balance and cognitive stations all customized to meet your fitness level and goals.
This program is geared towards everyone with a focus of those finding it difficult to start an exercise program or those who need help progressing their current exercise program. Exercises are also specific for osteoporosis treatment and prevention. What a great way to exercise in a group and meet new people. Bring your friends and exercise together!
Andrea de Lange is experienced Physical Therapist and certified LSVT BIG practitioner with a long history of working with the outpatient orthopedic and neurological population. She possesses a strong background in the treatment of spine, extremity injuries and pain, as well as neurological impairment, with a focus on people with Parkinson’s disease.
RVNAhealth’s Strength & Beyond classes are offered every Thursday from 11:00am-12:00pm at the RVNAhealth Rehabilitation & Wellness Center located at 27 Governor Street, Ridgefield. Class fees are $30 per class and registration is required in advance, as attendance is limited. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER TO ATTEND A CLASS. For questions, please contact the RVNAhealth Rehabilitation & Wellness Center at 203.438.7862 or rehabcenter@rvnahealth.org.
RVNAhealth is excited to announce the introduction of its new public fitness class, “Balance & Beyond.” An ongoing weekly drop-in class (come for one or come for all!) that focuses on building muscle, restoring balance and improving your walk or jog, all while giving your brain a great workout!
Balance can be a life essential to preventing falls and keeping daily activities of life within our control. The old adage of “use it or lose it’ doesn’t ring more true when it comes to strength. This is why Andrea de Lange, RVNAhealth Physical Therapist, is so passionate about bringing balance and strength classes to the public.
“This program is beneficial for so many people — whether you are just looking to improve your strength or balance to improve quality of life, or you are looking for a customized fitness program to assist with medical conditions such as Parkinson’s, arthritis, or autoimmune disorders,” says de Lange. “This circuit training class will have you moving through a series of stations including boxing, agility training, and functional mobility conditioning – all customized to meet your fitness levels and goals. And there is plenty of time for questions and personalized instruction and feedback!”
Andrea de Lange is experienced Physical Therapist and certified LSVT BIG practitioner with a long history of working with the outpatient orthopedic and neurological population. She possesses a strong background in the treatment of spine, extremity injuries and pain, as well as neurological impairment, with a focus on people with Parkinson’s disease.
RVNAhealth’s Balance & Beyond classes are offered every Monday and Thursday from 12:00pm-1:00pm at the RVNAhealth Rehabilitation & Wellness Center located at 27 Governor Street, Ridgefield. Class fees are $30 per class and registration is required in advance, as attendance is limited. TO REGISTER TO ATTEND A CLASS, CLICK HERE. For questions, please contact the RVNAhealth Rehabilitation & Wellness Center at 203.438.7862 or rehabcenter@rvnahealth.org.
Living BIG addresses the problem of patients’ movements becoming smaller and more tentative as Parkinson’s Disease progresses. Each class, the therapist takes the patient through a series of whole-body LSVT BIG exercises aimed at improving strength, balance, flexibility and coordination. Exercises are all exaggerated to reinforce that the patient needs to make his or her movements bigger.
NEW LOCATION!!: Steel Fitness, 62 Danbury Road, Ridgefield
RVNAhealth is excited to announce the introduction of its new public fitness class, “Balance & Beyond.” An ongoing weekly drop-in class (come for one or come for all!) that focuses on building muscle, restoring balance and improving your walk or jog, all while giving your brain a great workout!
Balance can be a life essential to preventing falls and keeping daily activities of life within our control. The old adage of “use it or lose it’ doesn’t ring more true when it comes to strength. This is why Andrea de Lange, RVNAhealth Physical Therapist, is so passionate about bringing balance and strength classes to the public.
“This program is beneficial for so many people — whether you are just looking to improve your strength or balance to improve quality of life, or you are looking for a customized fitness program to assist with medical conditions such as Parkinson’s, arthritis, or autoimmune disorders,” says de Lange. “This circuit training class will have you moving through a series of stations including boxing, agility training, and functional mobility conditioning – all customized to meet your fitness levels and goals. And there is plenty of time for questions and personalized instruction and feedback!”
Andrea de Lange is experienced Physical Therapist and certified LSVT BIG practitioner with a long history of working with the outpatient orthopedic and neurological population. She possesses a strong background in the treatment of spine, extremity injuries and pain, as well as neurological impairment, with a focus on people with Parkinson’s disease.
RVNAhealth’s Balance & Beyond classes are offered every Monday and Thursday from 12:00pm-1:00pm at the RVNAhealth Rehabilitation & Wellness Center located at 27 Governor Street, Ridgefield. Class fees are $30 per class and registration is required in advance, as attendance is limited. TO REGISTER TO ATTEND A CLASS, CLICK HERE. For questions, please contact the RVNAhealth Rehabilitation & Wellness Center at 203.438.7862 or rehabcenter@rvnahealth.org.
Discover delicious, low glycemic recipes designed to help manage blood sugar levels and explore diabetic-friendly cooking principles for effective blood sugar control with Registered Dietitian and Nutrition Educator Monica Marcello, MS, RD.
Please join us at the RVNAhealth Parkinson’s Center as we welcome back Dr. Bernardo Rodrigues, Associate Professor of Neurology at UCONN Health, to talk about Diagnostic Testing for Parkinson’s disease.
This event is offered for both in-person (at the RVNAhealth Parkinson’s Center in Ridgefield) and via Zoom. Please register HERE in advance. The zoom link can be found below for online attendees.
Dr. Bernardo Rodrigues is a neurologist who subspecializes in movement disorders. He received his medical degree from the Federal University of Bahia in Brazil, where he also completed his Ph.D. in neurosciences. He worked in Brazil in the field of movement disorders and his Ph.D. thesis was on the study of swallowing in Parkinson’s disease. After he moved to the U.S., he completed neurology residency at UConn Health and proceeded to fellowship training in movement disorders at the University of Michigan. He sees all patients with involuntary movements and offers injection of botulinum toxin and programming of deep brain stimulation.
Travel to exotic locales brings extraordinary benefits — and adventure. But it can also expose you to serious diseases that may threaten your health. Zika virus, typhoid, malaria, and yellow fever, to name a few.
To reduce your chances of illness while abroad, schedule an in-person consultation with an RVNAhealth travel health nurse prior to your departure. Consultations include: itinerary-specific health advice; discussion and administration of immunizations; safe food/water practices; and other recommendations to protect yourself. including insect precautions or environmental considerations.
Travel consultation appointments are available the first and third Friday of each month at the RVNAhealth Center for Exceptional Care, 27 Governor Street, Ridgefield, CT.
To learn more or schedule an appointment, call (203) 438-5555 or email BeWELL@rvnahealth.org
Please note: Travelers under age 18 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian.
RVNAhealth will hold its Annual Meeting and Incorporators’ Event on Thursday, November 16 at 5:00pm. This event serves as an opportunity each year for RVNAhealth to provide a state-of-the-agency address and recognize our Incorporators. Incorporators are individuals who have made significant contributions to RVNAhealth over time and who act as ambassadors to the community on behalf of the organization.
The meeting will be conducted by RVNAhealth Executive Staff and Board of Directors, who will report on fiscal year results, followed by a review of agency financials and the impact of fundraising.
The event is open to the public.
Please RSVP to Debbie Campbell, Development Manager, at 203-438-5555, x1249 or dcampbell@rvnahealth.org