Xavier
Hometown: Waterbury, CT
“Xavier is kind, caring, intelligent, and trustworthy. He is always one step ahead, he knows exactly what we need and just does it. He helps us with everything and has become like family.” – Jay, Danbury
Comfort Amo
Comfort
Hometown: Bridgeport, CT
“Comfort is an incredibly caring, compassionate and uplifting person. Not only does she provide impeccable care for my 96 year old Mom, but she brings joy to her life everyday with her cheerful demeanor. She is a blessing.” – Randy, Ridgefield
Vilma Barriga
Vilma
Hometown: Stamford, CT
“Although only with Dad one day a week, Isaac and Vilma became comforting and consistent presences, rarely missing a Saturday and developing their own special rhythm for this weekend day. Isaac gave Dad a good shave and watched sports games with him, helping to keep him awake and interested, when sleeping was really his go to preference. Vilma was amazingly encouraging and soothing when Dad felt overwhelmed and missed my Mom or needed that extra motivation to get out of his comfortable recliner.” – Daughter, Katy L.
Isaac Sanchez
Isaac
Hometown: Danbury, CT
“Although only with Dad one day a week, Isaac and Vilma became comforting and consistent presences, rarely missing a Saturday and developing their own special rhythm for this weekend day. Isaac gave Dad a good shave and watched sports games with him, helping to keep him awake and interested, when sleeping was really his go to preference. Vilma was amazingly encouraging and soothing when Dad felt overwhelmed and missed my Mom or needed that extra motivation to get out of his comfortable recliner.” – Daughter, Katy L.
RVNAhealth Spring Breakfast: Community Coming Together to Care for Neighbors
RVNAhealth will host its 22nd Annual Spring Breakfast on Friday, April 28 at The Amber Room in Danbury. This event, co-chaired by Andrea Gartner and Cathy Moore, attracts more than 400 local residents, business owners, and community leaders in the greater Danbury area. The early morning program (7:30am – 9:00am) consists of a delicious breakfast, inspirational speaker, lively auction and raffle prizes all in support of RVNAhealth. This is a major fundraiser which helps sustain RVNAhealth’s home health and hospice care, and the vital programs we bring to our communities, including well-child services, immunization clinics, support groups, wellness programs on nutrition and disease prevention, and help for the homebound.
The agency would like to thank its sponsors, including
- Diamond Sponsors: Larry and Nancy Bossidy, Mutual of America, Eileen and Jay Walker
- Gold Sponsors: Adam Broderick Salon & Spa, Lori Berisford and Elaine Cox, BMW of Ridgefield, Fairfield County Bank, Liz and Steven Goldstone, Valerie Jensen, Rodier Flowers
- Silver Sponsors: Elizabeth Murray Ellis, HamletHub, Kane Funeral Home, Meadow Ridge, Glori and Adam Norwitt
- Bronze Sponsors: All American Waste, Base Technologies, Inc., The Chefs’ Warehouse, Chipman Mazzucco Emerson, LLC, Cohen and Wolf, P.C., Cramer & Anderson, LLP, Harriton & Furrer, LLP, Christopher and Mary Joyce, Dean and Theresa Miller, Annette and Dan O’Brien, On the Mend Medial Supplies & Equipment, Saint Joseph Parenting Center, Union Savings Bank, Upnext Leadership Coaching and The Watermark at East Hill
You may purchase a sponsorship or table online or contact Connie Marsala, Development Manager, at cmarsala@rvnahealth.org or at 203.438.5555, x1018.
RVNAhealth Announces Opening of its Parkinson’s Center
RVNAhealth proudly announces the opening of the RVNAhealth Parkinson’s Center, located at 27 Governor Street, Ridgefield. Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is the second-most common neurodegenerative disease after Alzheimer’s disease, affecting an estimated 10,000 people in CT, with the incidence of newly diagnosed cases rising. With the opening of its Center, RVNAhealth aims to become a premier and integral Parkinson’s disease resource to those diagnosed, their caregivers, and medical teams.
The Parkinson’s Resource Gap
Gigi Weiss, MSPT, CADDCT, LSVT BIG, AIB-VR, Parkinson’s Center Director, explained the importance of this new RVNAhealth community resource, “People with Parkinson’s and their and families are frustrated! We’ve heard numerous stories from patients who felt somewhat stranded and confused after their PD diagnosis. Truth of the matter is that a playbook for Parkinson’s doesn’t exist and there are very limited local resources available to help. At RVNAhealth, we realized we had the ability to fill this gap and make a difference in the lives of the PD community. Many do not realize that they can effectively slow the progression of Parkinson’s disease with the proper tools, resources, education, and support. We are here to provide that Parkinson’s support to the whole patient – mind, body, spiritual – with these needs met all in one place.”
About the RVNAhealth Parkinson’s Center
The RVNAhealth Parkinson’s Center is a multi-disciplinary team, certified through the Parkinson’s Foundation, that works together to help each center member from all angles of health. The rehabilitation team consists of physical therapists, physical therapist assistants, occupational therapists, and speech and language pathologists – all LSVT BIG and LSVT LOUD certified. Additional resources of the Parkinson’s Center include a dedicated medical doctor, registered nurse, and registered dietitian; a team of mental health professionals, including social work and spiritual care; a resource library comprised of local and national resources; a video library of exercises and support tools; a monthly newsletter; and access to the RVNAhealth Continuum of Services.
Kate Campbell, DPT, SCS, Cert. MDT, CSCS, LSVT BIG, Parkinson’s Center Program Manager, provided more details, “The Parkinson’s Center aims to become a central resource to help develop, coordinate, and support the best possible proactive attack against Parkinson’s disease for our members. Here, people with Parkinson’s will take control of a difficult diagnosis with the help of trained specialists to support them, their caregiver and family. In addition to supporting our members and family, we look forward to partnering with the medical community to develop the most needed programs to support their Parkinson’s patients.”
The Center is comprised of three main components: exercise classes led by physical therapists; monthly programs, including support groups to address mental health, activities to promote social engagement, and education on disease awareness and management; and “PD Bootcamp”. Campbell described RVNAhealth’s unique PD Bootcamp, “PD Bootcamp is an eight-week intensive program that leads the person with Parkinson’s through bi-weekly exercise classes and one-on-one sessions with members of the Parkinson’s Center interdisciplinary clinical team to create an individualized care plan to help them continue living their best life with Parkinson’s.”
RVNAhealth’s Parkinson’s Center Kickoff Starts in April!
April officially kicks off the opening of the Parkinson’s Center with a few key community events, including an exercise lecture on April 6th at the Ridgefield Library and a cooking class on April 12th at RVNAhealth–all focused on Parkinson’s disease. All event and registration details can be found online through the RVNAhealth calendar at rvnahealth.org/calendar.
On April 20th, RVNAhealth will host a Parkinson’s Center Inaugural Event at its offices in Ridgefield. Attendees will meet the entire team, experience short lecture discussions, and learn more about what the RVNAhealth Parkinson’s Center has planned. Vendors with Parkinson’s-related offerings and expertise will also be available. Details and registration can be found on our website calendar or by contacting us at 203.438.5555 x1082. You may also learn more at the Parkinson’s Center website.
Theresa Santoro, MSN, RN, CHCA, President and CEO of RVNAhealth, “I am extremely proud of the work our team has put into creating this much needed program for those affected by Parkinson’s. The Parkinson’s Center is an excellent example of how we continue to grow and evolve in our mission to serve the lifelong health and wellness needs of our communities. We look forward to sharing our Parkinson’s Center with those affected and giving each person and their family the tools and confidence to live their best life.”
2023 Wellness Fair Thank You! To RVNAhealth Employees, Volunteers, and Sponsors!
A sincere thank you to our RVNAhealth employees, volunteers, and sponsors who helped make our 2023 Wellness Fair a success! With your help, we were able to administer well over 500 health screenings. A special shout out to our BeWELL team who help to prepare and coordinate the details of this important community event every year!
Gather Your Friends and Join RVNAhealth’s Annual Spring Breakfast!
RVNAhealth will host its 22nd Annual Spring Breakfast on Friday, April 28 from 7:30am-9:00am at The Amber Room Colonnade in Danbury. The Board of Directors, Spring Breakfast Committee, and friends of the organization look forward to celebrating the meaningful work of RVNAhealth and the continuum of care the agency provides throughout 35+ communities.
Each year, the Spring Breakfast brings together 400 local business leaders, medical professionals, community groups, and RVNAhealth supporters to welcome spring and raise funds critical to patient care and program support. Funds raised allow RVNAhealth to care for patients and clients regardless of age, diagnosis, or financial circumstances and make a lasting impact on the lives of those served. It’s truly an inspiring morning and a great way to start the day!
This year’s impact speaker is a business leader who has worked with RVNAhealth to provide care for her elderly parents. She will describe how the integrated continuum of RVNAhealth services supported her family, even as their needs changed, and she will offer useful insights for others who may be caring for aging loved ones.
You are invited to become a sponsor or host a table at this year’s event, which will include a delicious breakfast, live auction with travel and entertainment packages, and a raffle with over 40 prizes. You may purchase sponsorships or tables online at RVNAhealth.org or contact Connie Marsala, Development Manager, at 203.438.5555, x1018 or cmarsala@rvnahealth.org. Preventive Screenings Made Easy at RVNAhealth’s Wellness Fair
Where will you be on Saturday morning, March 25th? If you’re due, or behind, on any preventive health screenings or have health and wellness questions you’ve been meaning to call a professional about – why not stop by RVNAhealth’s Wellness Fair and check some of those things off your list…all in one place, at one time, and its FREE!
So, what’s the big deal about preventive screenings? Yes, they require time – and, let’s face it, it’s not fun – but, going to the doctors for preventive health care visits is an important part of overall health. At these appointments, doctors can recommend certain screenings that you should receive, depending on your age and medical history. These screenings may detect potential health problems early on, when your chances of slowing disease progression and/or successfully treating a health problem are the greatest.
Your age is a starting point in determining which screenings are most important. For instance, someone in their 60’s should be tested regularly for blood pressure, blood sugar levels, cholesterol levels, mental health conditions, and certain types of cancer. Other simple types of screenings, such as vision and hearing, are important at any age.
We know one of the barriers to completing these screenings is the challenge of making so many different appointments. That’s why RVNAhealth initiated its Wellness Fair nearly a half century ago – a community event for people to catch up on the most common health screenings, all in one day! And that’s why we continue to offer this FREE event each year. This year, RVNAhealth will host our 48th Annual Wellness Fair on Saturday, March 25, 2023, from 9am-12pm, at East Ridge Middle School in Ridgefield. We invite you to come, take stock of your health, learn something new, and walk away with valuable resources.
Led by RVNAhealth’s clinical staff and representing our whole suite of services – nursing, rehabilitative therapies, nutrition, hospice, private caregivers, and social work – this popular event is designed to meet health and wellness needs across all ages. RVNAhealth partners with other local experts to provide a wide range of screenings: anemia, blood pressure, blood glucose, carotid artery, cholesterol, balance, foot exams, grip strength, hearing, vision, skin cancer screening and more. We will also continue our tradition of offering vaccines to the community – including high dose and regular flu vaccines, and COVID-19 boosters.
This year’s event is made possible with the generous sponsorship support of BMW of Ridgefield, Bethel Healthcare/Village Crest for Health and Rehabilitation, Brookdale Place, Homecare Homebase, Ridgefield Crossings, Ridgefield Glass, The Vascular Experts and The Greens at Cannondale/Wilton Meadows.
RVNAhealth will also be collecting donations of healthy, non-perishable food items for our Food Pantry, which serves our homebound and low-income patients in need. All attendees will be entered into a raffle to win an Adam Broderick Gift Basket.
To stay up to date on the Wellness Fair or register for reminders, visit our event page. We hope to see you there!
Exercise for Two…No Reservations Needed!
While Valentine’s Day has past, it’s never too late to gift yourself time with a friend or loved one! And while you’re at it, why not consider adding a healthy element to your time together? Kate Campbell, DPT, RVNAhealth Rehabilitation & Wellness Outpatient Practice Manager and Physical Therapist, recently shared a special “Valentine’s Day-edition” sample exercise program than can be done with a partner.
Why partner exercise? Partner exercise can be a great way to improve your physical and mental health, while also having fun and building a stronger bond with your partner. It drives benefits such as improved motivation and accountability, better results with partner help and encouragement, a boost in mood and mental health, and exercising with a partner can be more fun and enjoyable than exercising alone!
Campbell emphasizes the physical connection aspect of partner exercise. “Any kind of touch — skin to skin, hugging — anything like that does great things for our body. It lowers negative stress hormones like cortisol and norepinephrine. And it increases your oxytocin levels, which is that bonding hormone that makes moms and babies feel really close together. This in turn stimulates other feel good hormones like dopamine and serotonin and endorphins. Everyone wants those endorphins. It makes you feel good and happy, and it can even reduce pain. All of this can happen in your brain – just by simple touch!”
Checkout Campbell’s partner exercise video sampling here! (Spoiler alert, Kate still looks amazing in her wedding dress!)
In the end, it’s all about getting your body moving and enjoying the enhanced physical and mental health benefits of spending time with another person. And as the spring season and nice weather approach, don’t forget the benefits of a simple walk, hand in hand, of course!
P.S. – Kate would love to see your partner exercise posts on social media (Facebook or Instagram) or via email (kcampbell@rvnahealth.org)!
P.P.S – If you would enjoy receiving weekly communications on fitness topics, such as this, and other nutrition topics, you may subscribe HERE.