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 ››
Get the latest updates from RVNAhealth including immunization reminders, notices of special events, clinics, and other services.
Sign up for our Newsletter ››
Give to RVNAhealth on Fairfield County’s Giving Day, February 25, and become our partner in fighting COVID-19. Your support will sustain our vaccination clinics and protect our communities.
Learn more at fcgives.org ››
RVNAhealth meets you wherever you are in life, whatever your healthcare needs might be. Please consider a gift to RVNAhealth today.
Hometown: Waterbury, CT
“Charity has truly become a beloved member of our family. Her warmth, energy, and genuine love and caring for my parents is coupled with immense competence, professionalism, and insight about what is important. By any measure, she is a jewel with a sparkling personality and an infectious smile.” – Andy G., Danbury
Hometown: Franklinville, NJ
“Nikki has been a wonderful support for her client. He has improved so much, physically and mentally, due to her exceptional care and positive spirit.” – Jessica, RVNAhealth Supervisor
Hometown: Ridgefield, CT
“The past few months have necessitated a lot of doctors appointments for my mom. Not only has Lena been completely on top of all the practical stuff – managing a rapidly changing calendar, getting Mom to and from appointments, conveying necessary info to me when I’ve been unable to make an appointment in person or by phone – but she’s also been mom‘s greatest advocate. She makes sure mom understands what’s being said in appointments and doesn’t feel that the doctors are talking over her head. Lena is always respectful and gracious throughout, but she is sure to center mom in all of these health care discussions and situations where others often “talk past” mom. She ensures my mom has a sense of control and maintains her sense of dignity, always. And this is priceless to my family.” – Vivienne L., Ridgefield
Hometown: Ridgefield, CT
“Hilary has been the best thing that has happened since we received [my husband’s] diagnosis. She has been amazing, and helps [him] participate in numerous activities throughout the day so that I can go out without worry.” – Spouse, Ridgefield
Nothing seems to stop 74 year old Newtown resident, Jan Brown – not even a Parkinson’s disease diagnosis! With a determined spirit and help from her doctors and the RVNAhealth Parkinson’s Center, Jan is now back to playing national level softball and more! And to celebrate Jan’s completion of RVNAhealth’s LSVT Parkinson’s program, the team decided what better way to celebrate than a surprise game of softball after her final session with RVNAhealth therapists and staff (see photo gallery below). Before the game, we had a chance to catch up with Jan and Parkinson’s Center staff to learn a little more about Jan and her journey.
After searching for a reason for progressing physical symptoms, Jan’s neurologist finally ordered a DaTscan. When her Parkinson’s diagnosis was revealed Jan was prescribed a common Parkinson’s disease medication which made significant improvements to her tremors and function. Her medical team also quickly mentioned, “You should check out the new Parkinson’s Center happening at RVNAhealth.”
Kate Campbell DPT, LSVT BIG, RVNAhealth Parkinson’s Center Program Manager, recalled meeting Jan and evaluating her symptoms and goals. “At the point of diagnosis, the symptoms of her disease had progressed to the point of making simple daily tasks such as getting dressed, washing hair, and putting in contacts difficult,” said Campbell. This sports enthusiast and winner of several National Senior Games in softball and basketball, believed it was time to turn in her sports equipment. But thankfully the active spark in Jan had not fully extinguished and she signed on to participate in RVNAhealth’s LSVT program.
LSVT stands for Lee Silverman Voice Treatment. It is a globally recognized therapy program developed in the late 1980s and designed to help individuals with Parkinson’s disease improve their vocal and physical movement abilities. While the acronym LSVT refers to treatment for the effects of diminished or difficult voice/speaking skills, it also refers to an exercise protocol dedicated to improving a person’s physical movements commonly becoming smaller and more tentative as disease progresses. The LSVT programs aim to retrain a patient’s brain so their perception of their speech and movement is BIGGER and more accurate and they become able to speak and move with more amplitude.
RVNAhealth offers LSVT therapy at its Parkinson’s Center in Ridgefield and also in the home. The program is an intensive commitment – 4 weeks, 4 days a week for 1 hour appointments with an LSVT certified therapist – but when done, the results are usually life changing. Graduates of the program will have new habits and exercises to incorporate and continue in their ongoing daily routines. If someone needs a little more ongoing encouragement or prefers a group exercise setting, RVNAhealth also offers ongoing LSVT BIG and LSVT LOUD weekly drop in exercise classes at its Ridgefield office for graduates. “Our goal is to help you live your best life with Parkinson’s. And our new Parkinson’s Center aims to be a lifelong resource for those who need it,” says Campbell.
“I was determined to do what I needed to do to get back to my life. It was a commitment – 4 weeks, 4 days a week, 1 hour each day, plus homework – but with this program, I achieved my goals. I am so grateful!” says Jan. “And I am blown away by how much the RVNAhealth therapists know and have to know about Parkinson’s disease to help me and help other people. Megan [my RVNAhealth Parkinson’s Center physical therapist assistant] listens to all of my questions and she is able to give me the correct answers. Everyone was just great.”
With Jan’s dedication to the LSVT program, its homework, and incorporating new skills and tools into her life to control symptoms, Jan is back to living her life to the fullest – including looking forward to the next softball National Senior Games in Arizona. And we didn’t mention her love of pickleball…or that she’s an instructor…or that she can beat her own grandchildren at the game!
What else can Jan Brown do with Parkinson’s disease? We’re betting on A LOT more! Way to go Jan – we are so proud of you!
For more information about the RVNAhealth Parkinson’s Center, visit our website or call 203.438.5555 ext 1082 or email PCInfo@rvnahealth.org.
RVNAhealth took center stage recently in two thought provoking discussions about the health care industry and the relationship between nutrition and mental illness.
Theresa Santoro, President & CEO of RVNAhealth had the privilege of interviewing Sandro Gale, physician, epidemiologist, author, dean and Robert A. Knox Professor at Boston University School of Public Health. The interview, “How to Create a Healthier Future for All,” was presented on TEDMED Conversations – an interview series with some of the world’s brightest minds discussing the hardest topics.
In this 12-minute segment, Santoro and Gale discuss topics ranging from the forces around us that generate good health; success of the healthcare system treating those already ill vs preventing illness; COVID-19 reflections and impacts; and the hope for a healthier future. Watch Now
The idea that what you eat can heal your body is age-old, but is this true for mental illness? Dietitian Monica Marcello believes it can make a significant difference, now proven through clinical studies. It goes to show how integrated mental and physical health truly are. Learn what you can do to affect mood and mental health simply through diet in this informative episode. Listen Now.
June is recognized as Brain Health Awareness Month. It is a time to bring attention to the importance of maintaining good brain health and promoting awareness of brain-related conditions such as Alzheimer’s, dementia, and traumatic brain injury. It is also a time to encourage people to adopt healthy lifestyle habits that can benefit their brain health, such as getting regular exercise, eating a healthy diet, staying mentally active, and getting enough restful sleep.
We caught up with RVNAhealth’s Susan DiGregorio, M.A CCC-SLP, and popular presenter for the RVNAhealth Wellness Academy’s “How to Live a Healthy Brain Lifestyle” talk, to get some practical tips on what we can all do – at any stage in our lives – to support our brains. Susan uses an easy acronym, “DANCERS,” to get you on track. DANCERS stands for Disease management – Activity – Nutrition – Cognitive stimulation – Engagement with others – Relaxation – and Sleep hygiene. Each of the DANCERS components is an important factor to maintaining brain health.
Susan elaborated for us on recommendations around “Cognitive stimulation” – small, simple (and often fun!) things we can do every day to boost our brain health. We often hear about brain games such as Sudoku, Wordle, and crossword puzzles. “The important thing is to find games and activities that are challenging and fun to you! Not everyone enjoys crossword puzzles, and that’s okay. The important thing is to find games or activities that encourage and engage several skills. When we can activate working memory, reasoning, and problem solving – we have a clear winner for brain health.
Some examples of good brain-health stimulators are Scrabble, word searches, word scrambles, chess, sudoku, concentration, and crosswords. And don’t forget (no pun intended!) that physical activity can be turned into a brain stimulator as well! Any activity where you are engaging multiple systems at once — such as walking while having a conversation with a friend, cleaning your house while you are mentally writing your grocery list, or going for a drive but first planning and thinking through your route before turning on a GPS – all help to promote cognitive stimulation.
If you are a family member or loved one looking to engage in simpler games with someone who has a more severe cognitive impairment, consider things like adult coloring books, memory boxes, balloon toss, flower arranging, gardening, and feeding birds. These activities can stimulate orientation to the seasons, attention, participation in routine, listening and conversation.
The RVNAhealth Wellness Academy offers ongoing educational programming that are open to the public, including “How to Live A Healthy Brain Lifestyle.” Please visit our calendar of events to view current upcoming programming.
Hometown: Derby, CT
“Meisie has been a live-in aide for me for the past few months. Not only is she a great cook; she is a wonderful companion. She makes sure I eat well-made and nutritious meals. She also drives me to any appointments I may have and always helps me in and out of the car and wheels me in the wheelchair to the appointment. When a family member can’t accompany me to an appointment, she always writes down the questions that need to be asked to keep my care current.” – Judy V., Danbury
Hometown: Waterbury, CT
“Karen exemplifies what this nomination is all about. She goes “above and beyond” what her job description calls for. Karen is tireless – always anticipating my husband’s needs. Karen also helps me to keep up with household chores. Karen is always professional and lives up to the standards of RVNAhealth at all times” – P.C., Southbury
RVNAhealth’s Hospice and Palliative care teams won the 2023 Florence Wald Award for Excellence in End-of-Life Care.
The Florence Wald Award for Excellence in End-of-Life Care was established to honor Florence Wald. Wald was a pioneer in improving the care of dying patients across the world. Her focus on an interdisciplinary approach to end-of-life care led her to open the first hospice in the United States (here in Connecticut) in 1971. A visionary leader with unwavering commitment to social justice and reverence for life, Wald valued patient, family, and team participation. She truly listened to their input which ultimately launched the hospice reform movement in this country. Thirty-seven years later at the time of her death in 2008, over 4,700 hospices had been instituted across the country. And today, in 2023, there are over 8,000 hospice and palliative care institutions!
The award was presented on May 11th at the annual Statewide Hospice & Palliative Care Summit, hosted by the Connecticut Association for Healthcare at Home. Theresa Santoro, President & CEO of RVNAhealth, and team members attended a ceremony to accept the award. “This award is a reflection not only of the incredible work of our Hospice and Palliative teams but of the work from everyone at RVNAhealth. It is performed naturally and with great compassion and has a tremendous impact on our patients,” said Santoro
Keri Linardi, RN, BSN, PHN, CHPCA, RVNAhealth Chief Clinical Officer, elaborated on how the RVNAhealth team exemplifies Wald’s commitment. “The key is meeting patients and families where they are in their illness trajectory. Our approach is quite different because we spend more time listening to what patients want. We educate them on the best approach to meet those needs, and provide the right care at the right time which includes many ancillary services. We hold ourselves, and each other, to higher standards because every patient and their loved ones deserve the best experience during such a monumental time. This is what makes this team so special.”
For more information on RVNAhealth’s hospice and palliative care services, please call 203.438.5555 or visit our website.
