Flu Season Prep: Importance of Vaccines for Seniors

Fight the flu with vaccination

As flu season nears, protecting seniors is essential, as they are more vulnerable to complications. A key step is getting the annual flu vaccine, which can significantly reduce risks.

Why Seniors Are at Higher Risk

Seniors, especially those over 65, have weakened immune systems, making them more susceptible to serious flu-related complications like pneumonia or worsening chronic conditions. Most flu-related hospitalizations and deaths occur in this age group.

The Flu Vaccine’s Benefits for Seniors

While not a guarantee against infection, the flu vaccine lowers the chance of getting the virus and reduces symptom severity. High-dose and adjuvanted flu vaccines are available for older adults, offering stronger protection.

When and Where to Get Vaccinated

Seniors should get vaccinated by late October to be protected as flu season begins. RVNAhealth is happy to provide several opportunities to check this task off your list!

  • Saturday, October 5th from 9am-12pm – RVNAhealth 49th Annual Wellness Fair – Yanity Gym, 60 Prospect Street, Ridgefield. Walk-in flu vaccines (high-dose and regular) are offered to all individuals 6 months and older. Vaccines are free for children through the age of 18. For adults, we accept the following insurance plans for flu vaccines: Medicare Part B, Aetna, and Blue Cross Blue Shield.
  • Saturday, October 19th from 9am- 11am – RVNAhealth Drive-Thru Clinic, 27 Governor Street, Ridgefield. As another convenient option, we offer our drive-thru clinic in the parking lot of RVNAhealth in Ridgefield. To expedite your process, please book a time slot HERE (1 slot per family/car) AND complete a consent form for EACH person to be vaccinated before you arrive. Vaccines are free for children 18 years and younger. For adults, we accept the following insurance plans for flu vaccines: Medicare Part B, Aetna, and Blue Cross Blue Shield.
  • At RVNAhealth By Appointment, 27 Governor Street, Ridgefield – A limited number of appointments at our Ridgefield office will be available on Wednesdays and Fridays. Evening hours until 6pm will be available on Wednesdays. Available appointments may be booked HERE (1 slot per family). Please also complete a consent form for EACH person to be vaccinated before you arrive. Vaccines are free for children 18 years and younger. For adults, we accept the following insurance plans for flu vaccines: Medicare Part B, Aetna, and Blue Cross Blue Shield.

Other Flu Prevention Tips

  • Practice hygiene: Wash hands frequently and use sanitizer.
  • Avoid sick people: Limit exposure to those who are ill.
  • Boost immunity: Eat healthily, stay hydrated, and rest.
  • Clean surfaces: Disinfect high-touch areas regularly.
  • Caregiver Vaccination: Caregivers should also get vaccinated to help shield seniors from the flu.

For More Information

Flu vaccines, paired with preventive measures, are crucial for protecting seniors during flu season. Contact RVNAhealth at 203.438.5555, or fill out our contact form with any questions. You can also visit our flu vaccine page for more information.

Happy 25th Anniversary, Theresa!

Celebrating the visionary leadership of Theresa Santoro at RVNAhealth's Autumn Dinner 2024

We are excited to celebrate Theresa Santoro’s 25th anniversary with RVNAhealth, and we invite you to join us on Thursday, September 26th, at Le Chateau in South Salem, NY.

Joining the agency as a visiting nurse 25 years ago, Theresa Santoro was appointed President & CEO in July 2007. Since then, she has led RVNAhealth through tremendous growth, including the addition of hospice and nonmedical caregiving services; community clinics and wellness programs; the construction of the 23,000 square foot RVNAhealth headquarters which houses offices, treatment rooms, a clinical training and resource center, and an outpatient therapy center; as well as a merger with the Bethel VNA and New Milford Visiting Nurse & Hospice. She also guided the agency as it navigated the COVID-19 pandemic, with nursing and hospice care in private homes and skilled nursing facilities, and public health vaccine administration. Called “the heart of communities throughout Connecticut” by the local press, Santoro’s tutelage has positioned the nonprofit as the premier healthcare resource for home and community-based care.

Theresa has received numerous awards that reflect the value of her trailblazing leadership and the respect she has earned from colleagues and highly regarded institutions alike. These include the Visiting Nurse Association of New England (VNANE) Innovator’s Award, which honors agencies that develop and implement innovations that improve cost, quality of care, and access, and the Connecticut Association for Healthcare at Home (CAHCH) Judith Hriceniak Award for Excellence in Nursing Leadership. RVNAhealth has also been recognized with the Top Workplace Award from Hearst Connecticut Media eleven times since 2011.

More recently, RVNAhealth has designed and launched its unique and highly acclaimed Parkinson’s Center and expanded its Dementia Resources Program, not only to help those living with Parkinson’s Disease or Dementia, but to support caregivers along their journey, as well.

Now, with 500 employees serving more than 5,000 patients annually in their homes, across 35 CT towns, RVNAhealth is proud to have remained true and dedicated to its mission to provide unmatched, compassionate healthcare when and where it is needed.

So please join us as we celebrate RVNAhealth and Theresa’s past, present, and future success, driven by her 25 years of visionary leadership. TOGETHER, we can build stronger and healthier communities for all!

Click here for Ticket and Sponsorship Opportunities. Reach out to Debbie Campbell, dcampbell@rvnahealth.org / 203-438-5555 x1249 for more information.

We Make (Therapy) House Calls!

Medicare Part B in-home physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech rehabilitation therapy

October is National Physical Therapy Month, highlighting the vital role physical therapy (PT) plays in improving lives. Physical therapy aids recovery after surgery or injury, improves mobility and independence, helps manage chronic pain, and supports overall health.

RVNAhealth offers physical therapy, as well as occupational and speech therapies, in the home and at our RVNAhealth Therapy Center. While many understand the difference between in-home and outpatient therapy, here we highlight a unique in-home option that many are unaware of—Medicare Part B In-Home Therapy (sometimes referred to as “in-home-outpatient” therapy).

What is Medicare Part B In-Home Therapy?

Medicare Part B covers outpatient rehabilitative therapy services when they are medically necessary and prescribed by a doctor or qualified healthcare provider. However, these benefits extend beyond outpatient clinics, like our RVNAhealth Therapy Clinic—Part B can also cover therapy in the home.

Therapy at home (including physical, occupational, and speech therapies) may be provided for conditions such as post-surgery recovery, managing chronic conditions (e.g., arthritis, Parkinson’s), or improving mobility. The therapy must be medically necessary, meaning it is needed to diagnose or treat a condition, illness, or injury. Basic requirements for Medicare Part B In-Home Therapy include:

  • You have Medicare Part B coverage, and
  • Your doctor has certified the medical necessity of physical, occupational, or speech therapy, and
  • You are not eligible for Medicare Part A home health benefits

Situations where Part B In-Home Therapy Services may help:

  • Transitioning from Home Health to outpatient therapy care
  • Chronic conditions or continuation of care not covered by Medicare Part A
  • Transportation challenges or concerns about leaving home for appointments
  • Strength and conditioning support
  • Recovery from orthopedic injuries or surgeries
  • Neurological conditions

For More Information or to Inquire About Medicare Part B In-Home Therapy Services

Call RVNAhealth at 203.438.5555 and ask to speak with someone about Medicare Part B therapy or fill out our contact form here.

 

About RVNAhealth

RVNAhealth is a private, 501c(3) non-profit organization which provides a continuum of care to people in 35+ towns across Fairfield, Litchfield, and New Haven Counties. RVNAhealth depends on financial support from individuals like you who believe that healthy communities improve the quality of life for everyone. Every gift — no matter the size — is critical to upholding our mission and sustaining our important work. If you would like to support RVNAhealth’s mission to deliver unmatched, compassionate healthcare when and where it is needed, please click here.