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.
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“In February, 2021, my close friend Lewis Little died at his Redding home. In his final days, Lewis and I and his family received amazing care and support from your Hospice staff. I continue to receive outreach from your Bereavement team, which I find very comforting. I sing with the Ridgefield Chorale. Our Spring concert this May will include a video presentation of singers’ expression of thanks to people and organizations that supported them during the difficulties of the COVID-19 pandemic. My intention is to include a photograph of myself holding a sign thanking RVNAhealth Hospice Services.”
– Margaret Sheahan
For more information about RVNAhealth Hospice services, please call 203.438.5555 or visit our website.
Every year, RVNAhealth hosts a Spring Breakfast with a turnout of over 400 supporters raising funds for important RVNAhealth programs. Due to the pandemic, this event had to be put on a two-year hiatus. However, RVNAhealth is excited to announce that the 21st Annual Spring Breakfast is in full bloom for Friday, April 29th, from 7:30 to 9 a.m., at The Amber Room Colonnade catering venue, located at 1 Stacey Road in Danbury.
Funds raised allow RVNAhealth to fulfill its mission of providing care when and where it is needed to residents of over 35 Connecticut towns regardless of age, diagnosis, or financial circumstances. Most importantly, it helps the organization make a lasting impact on the lives of those served. Some programs the funds will benefit include providing Well Child Clinics, flu vaccinations, and nursing and rehab care for senior citizens in need of these services. It is truly an inspiring morning and a great way to start the day!
This year’s impact speaker is Kate Denoyer Fitzpatrick, CEO & Founder of Kate Fitzpatrick Consulting. A long-time volunteer at RVNAhealth, Fitzpatrick has also experienced the love, comfort and compassionate care of RVNAhealth, firsthand. “I encourage you to attend and help us fund essential health and wellness programs. If you cannot join us in person, I encourage you to make a donation to help us continue this very important work”, says Fitzpatrick. Along with Fitzpatrick’s compelling testimonial will be a delicious breakfast, live auction, a raffle with dozens of prizes, and an opportunity to make a difference!
If you are interested in supporting and/or attending the Spring breakfast, please contact Julia Douglas, Development Manager, at 203.438.5555, x1018 or jdouglas@rvnahealth.org. For more information about the event, please visit RVNAhealth.org.
Welcome to one of our new segments where we are profiling the towns that we serve. First up on deck this month is New Milford. Not only do we maintain building operations and serve hundreds of patients in this town each year, New Milford is also called ‘home’ by 43 RVNAhealth employees. Read more to find out what we’ve been up to in New Milford, read some input from local friends and supporters, and get the inside scoop on ‘best of’ recommendations by some of our very own local team!
Fun Facts about New Milford:
Location: Western Connecticut, 14 miles north of Danbury, along the Housatonic River
Size: ~28K population
Fun Fact: At 62 square miles in size, New Milford is the largest town in Connecticut by land-mass
RVNAhealth Fact: New Milford is home to 43 RVNAhealth employees!
RVNAhealth ‘Best of’ Votes:
Best pizza: Italia Mia (Shelby B., Social Worker)
Best ice cream: Kimberly Farms (Ronette C., Hospice RN Case Manager)
Best coffee: River & Rail Café (Taylor D., Development Associate)
Best hiking place: Lover’s Leap (Cindy M. Hospice and Palliative Care Social Worker)
Best place for a picnic: The town green (Cindy C., CNA)
Other Best (write-in category): Sophia, our therapy dog loves Candlewoof – best dog park! (Stephanie P, Hospice Volunteer Coordinator)
RVNAhealth Events in New Milford – Past & Coming Up:
New Milford RiverFest, October 2021. RVNAhealth enjoyed meeting the community as a patron and exhibitor during this weekend fall event.
Candlewood Valley Health’s Annual Breast Cancer Fundraiser, October 2021. RVNAhealth was the Platinum Sponsor and exhibitor at this 3rd annual breast cancer fundraiser, raising over $10,000 for the American Cancer Society.
New Milford Sip & Stroll, December 2021. We were honored to attend this beloved end of year event and excited to sponsor the luminaries around town.
NEW Upcoming: New Milford Bereavement Support Groups. RVNAhealth is pleased to announce the re-start of monthly in-person bereavement support sessions at its New Milford office. Click here for more information on the April session. All are welcome.
NEW Upcoming: 53rd New Milford Village Fair Days, July 29-30th. We are excited for the return of the New Milford Village Fair Days and to have the opportunity to sponsor this fun, family-friendly, community event in the historic downtown district!
Platinum Sponsor at Candlewood Valley Health & Rehabilitation Annual Breast Cancer Fundraiser, October 2021New Milford RiverFest – Patron sponsor, October 2021New Milford Holiday Sip & Stroll – Luminary sponsor, December 2021
Words with Friends (no, not the game!):
This month we reached out to some friends who live or work in New Milford and asked them to say a few words about their relationship with RVNAhealth. We value all our relationships in New Milford – employees, patients, partners, and supporters. We are honored to work, live, and serve in this wonderful community!
Cheryl Bakewell, New Milford resident and partner at Bakewell & Mulhare LLC, former New Milford VNA Board Member, and current RVNAhealth Board Member – “I was a member of the New Milford VNA board and continue to be a member of the RVNAhealth board for very personal reasons. I think that an individual’s ability to stay at home and recover in the case of illness or to pass away in their own home in the case of hospice care is a very important choice. Both of my parents passed away from cancer and the gift that the VNA gave us to allow both of them the dignity to pass on their own terms was unparalleled. Everyone that we dealt with was caring and compassionate. RVNAhealth will always be one of my preferred charities for those reasons.”
Jim Polito, New Milford resident, former New Milford VNA and VNA Home Board Member and current RVNAhealth client – “My wife has used the home care services from VNA Home (now RVNAhealth StayingWELL Services) for over two years. Brita and I have found all of the caregivers, nurses and therapists we have met to be very caring and warm people. They have been a tremendous help to us. The services provided by RVNAhealth are very important to New Milford and surrounding towns – with such a long legacy of having a VNA in our town – you represent an essential and signature service to our area.”
Melissa Marici, Candlewood Valley Health & Rehabilitation, Vice President, Corporate Communications – “RVNAhealth has become a trusted healthcare partner. We’ve come to rely on the organization for a multitude of patient care needs. One of the most important, would be their highly skilled, comprehensive, and compassionate hospice care under their ComfortWELL services. The collaboration in this area has been a game changer for our staff, patients, and their loved ones.”
Nichole Brant, RVNAhealth Staying WELL Services, Business Operations and HR Manager – “I’m very proud to work for this agency. I started work for New Milford Visiting Nurse & Hospice and their VNA Home division 6 years ago. Since the merger, I’ve found that RVNAhealth has helped to open so many more opportunities – in terms of offerings and resources – for the New Milford and northern communities. And the leadership of Theresa Santoro, President & CEO, has helped to create a smooth and welcoming transition.”
Genevieve Pelliciari OTR/L, CLT, New Milford resident and RVNAhealth Occupational Therapist – “I started working for New Milford VNA in 2005 and continued with RVNAhealth after they joined forced. I have lived in New Milford for 37 years and provide RVNAhealth rehabilitation therapy services across New Milford, and other surrounding towns. I love what I do and enjoy my patients and take pride in making Occupational Therapy a part of their recovery.”
In celebration of Occupational Therapy Month in April, we are celebrating our 17 in-home and outpatient occupational therapists (OT) at RVNAhealth. We sat down with Gigi Weiss, MSPT, RVNAhealth Director of Rehabilitation Services, to talk about RVNAhealth’s own OT team. “Problem solvers…creative strategists…fitting square pegs in round holes…not cookie cutter…thinking outside the box.” These are just a few of the phrases Weiss uses to describe her occupational therapy team and the work they do. Okay, so these OTs sound like pretty interesting people! So, what exactly do they do and why do they need to be so creative? RVNAhealth has tackled this topic before (check out this great video interview by our very own Danielle Taibi, RVNAhealth Home Health Aide Supervisor, Occupational Therapist MOTR/L, CDP). To summarize, occupational therapists focus on addressing an injury, illness, or post-surgery condition that has disrupted a person’s normal activities of daily life (“ADLs”) – activities as basic as eating, bathing, and dressing, for example. They focus not only on helping to rehabilitate the affected area, but they also place tremendous effort on creative and attainable adaptations to enable a patient to have greater independence and function in those daily activities as they recover.
Mrs. McMorran and Christine Cooper, OT/L, practicing skills and adaptations for cooking
Given the focus on activities of daily life, OT goals often focus on reclaiming a patient’s ability to complete basic and fine motor skills needed at home…from dressing oneself and using buttons or zippers, to bathing and personal hygiene, to picking up a utensil, cup, or a pen to write with. In focusing on the goal of accomplishing greater independence, a patient may be taught how to accomplish a task (e.g., buttoning a shirt) in an entirely different way, or recommendations may be made for devices to help make such tasks easier.
We were able to capture the unique art of occupational therapy during a recent visit with RVNAhealth patient, Mrs. Monica McMorran of Ridgefield, and her OT therapist, Christine Cooper, OT/L. Cooper was working on a variety of practical activities to assist Mrs. McMorran with improving her strength as well as how to accomplish many activities around the home. From practicing and discussing best approaches for moving in and out of the shower, to practice time in the kitchen working through techniques for cooking and standing safely at the stove, to the basics of how to use tools to assist with putting on socks and sneakers. When asked what she has appreciated most about OT, Mrs. McMorran’s immediate response was, “It’s practical! And it’s about getting on with living!”
Practicing the use of adaptive equipment for dressing
Echoing the experience we witnessed with Mrs. McMorran’s therapy session, “Occupational therapists are masters of adaptive equipment. Devices such as reachers, sock donners, and foam on utensils or pencils are just a sampling of the toolkit an OT may use to help a patient regain independence,” says Kate Campbell, DPT, RVNAhealth Outpatient Practice Manager. “In addition to adaptive equipment, OTs are also experts at home safety modifications and equipment. Focusing on a patient’s environment – e.g., lighting, floor surfaces, bathroom layout — is just as important to regaining independence as focusing on the patient and their abilities.”
“Occupational therapy is often overlooked, especially for outpatient rehabilitation needs” says Gigi Weiss. “Physicians or Orthopedics tend to be more familiar with physical therapy.” As such, she encourages patients to become their own advocate and ask about occupational therapy when seeking rehabilitation – especially when there is a need and desire to regain ability and independence in basic activities of daily life. All OTs at RVNAhealth have achieved masters or doctorate level degrees in their field and are highly recommended. As
Sarah Triano, OTR/L, works with an outpatient client
one recent patient added, “[My] expectations for OT were very high, but my therapist EXCEEDED them.” Weiss attributes this success to RVNAhealth’s overall unique rehabilitation program. “We offer both occupational therapy and physical therapy services, in-home and at our outpatient facility in Ridgefield. Finding OTs, working alongside PTs, particularly in the outpatient setting is rare. But this enables RVNAhealth’s ability to evaluate and make recommendations to both patient and physician if we feel someone could benefit, for example, from OT rather than physical therapy.”
For more on RVNAhealth’s occupational therapy and other rehabilitation programs, please visit rvnahealth.org or call 203-438-7862.
“Without a doubt, it was the best decision I made.” These words, describing Jeanette Rizzo’s choice of RVNAhealth for health and home care following her mother’s discharge from the hospital, are not taken with a grain of salt. Jeanette’s words summarize the experience RVNAhealth strives to create for every patient and family member in our care.
Jeanette, along with her mother, Arlene Kuderna, of Sandy Hook, CT recently sat down with us to share their experiences with RVNAhealth. Both described how overwhelming and uncertain it can feel when a family member returns home from the hospital with continued care needs. And in Mrs. Kuderna’s case, her needs were substantial, with round the clock care required. Upon a recommendation, Jeanette contacted RVNAhealth. When her mom finally returned home by ambulance on a late weeknight, she was met there by the RVNAhealth team and supervisor. “It gave me peace of mind that [my Mom] was in good hands and I made the right decision.” Mrs. Kuderna has since utilized a vast array of RVNAhealth services, including home health nursing, physical and occupational rehabilitation, and personal caregiver assistance. “I feel like we used all the services [that were available to my mom]. Everyone that came really listened to my mom, all her conditions, all her worries. They gave her their complete professional advice and care.”
Now, four months following her return home, Mrs. Kuderna is feeling well and continues to make excellent progress. Sitting along with Mrs. Kuderna and her daughter, we were also joined by one of Mrs. Kuderna’s caregivers, Leonard, from our StayingWELL personal caregiving team. Leonard started with Mrs. Kuderna the moment she came home from the hospital and was with her 5 days a week, morning to evening. From physical transfers, to dressing, to helping and encouraging her through her rehabilitation exercises, “I can’t say enough about Leonard – there are no words for the care he gave me personally.” Jeanette also offered her praises for Leonard’s help, “He lifted [her] spirits when [she] needed it. He provided skilled care, professional care, but he also was compassionate and gave encouragement when she needed encouragement and motivation when she needed motivation.”
Encouragement and motivation have been at the forefront of Mrs. Kuderna’s mind throughout her recovery. In fact, her first grandchild (Jeanette’s daughter) is getting married this fall! Describing how she has missed so many other family moments over the course of her illness, she is determined to be there and walk down the aisle for the wedding. And, as an honor and thank you like no other, Mrs. Kuderna has asked Leonard to accompany her on her walk down the aisle! “I’ve missed so much. This is like everything to me and knowing he’s going to be there…the pressure of the wedding is hugely lifted off my shoulders.”
RVNAhealth’s StayingWELL services team recently won the 2022 Home Care Pulse – Best of Provider and Best of Employer Awards, based upon unfiltered monthly feedback from clients and caregivers. While the certificates and plaques are proudly displayed in the offices, we are grateful to Mrs. Kuderna, Jeanette, and Leonard for confirming the recognition and sharing their voices, their home, and even a wedding with us! It is in those words and experiences that we derive fuel to continue our mission of exceptional care.
To watch a brief video and hear directly from Mrs. Kuderna and her daughter, Jeanette, click here
For more information on available RVNAhealth services, visit our website or call 203-438-5555.
RVNAhealth will be hosting its 21st Annual Spring Breakfast on Friday, April 29 at The Amber Room in Danbury. After a two-year hiatus, the RVNAhealth Board of Directors, Spring Breakfast Committee, and staff cannot wait to celebrate with friends and neighbors from towns across Connecticut.
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 Kate Denoyer Fitzpatrick, CEO & Founder of Kate Fitzpatrick Consulting. A long-time volunteer at RVNAhealth, Fitzpatrick has also experienced the love, comfort, and compassionate care of RVNAhealth, firsthand.
You’re invited to be a sponsor or table host at this year’s event, which will include a delicious breakfast, Fitzpatrick’s compelling testimonial, live auction, and raffle with dozens of prizes.
Heart disease continues to be the leading cause of death in the U.S., but close behind with significant ties to cardiovascular health, stroke is the 5th highest cause of death. A stroke occurs once every 40 seconds in the U.S., however, the American Heart Association Stroke Council believes about 80% of strokes are preventable. Healthy lifestyle choices paired with knowing your heart health can greatly reduce your risk. Additionally, becoming aware of the signs and symptoms of stroke can significantly improve outcomes.
F.A.S.T. is a widely recognized acronym designed to help recognize and act if a stroke is suspected. F.A.S.T. stands for Face drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulty, and Time to call 911. Treatments that work best are typically administered within three hours of first experienced symptoms. Calling an ambulance rather than driving the person to the hospital allows medical professionals to begin treatment immediately. Thankfully stroke survival and recovery rates have improved significantly over the past decade with medical advances, but time to treatment continues to be a critical factor in success rates.
Although strokes seem sudden and random, they are often caused by underlying health issues that can be addressed with life changes and knowing your health numbers. High blood pressure, for example, is a major risk factor for stroke. RVNAhealth offers numerous ways to help you reduce stroke risk – from our regular free blood pressure clinics, to our on-staff Registered Dietitian assisting with nutrition needs, to our upcoming May 7th RVNAhealth Wellness Fair focused on helping individuals catch up on preventative screenings!
Call us or stop by one of our free upcoming events to stay on top of your own numbers! For more information, visit RVNAhealth at https://rvnahealth.org or call us at 203.438.5555 x4.
StayingWELL Office Staff [from left to right]: Paula Schlemmer, Dilcy Rosario-Torres, Racheal DeNault, Melissa Woodhouse, Jessica Spears, Danielle Taibi, Judy Ochoa. Not pictured, Nichole Brant
RVNAhealth is excited to share that our StayingWELL team has been awarded the 2022 Best of Home Care® – Provider of Choice Award and Employer of Choice Awards from Home Care Pulse. These awards recognize RVNAhealth and our StayingWELL business as one of the top performing non-medical home care agencies in the nation, based upon unfiltered client and caregiver experience feedback. Home Care Pulse is the home care industry’s leading firm in satisfaction research and quality assurance.
As an independent third-party provider, Home Care Pulse collects candid and direct phone-interview feedback monthly from StayingWELL clients and caregivers in areas such as impact on daily life, communication, caregiver ability, and client/caregiver compatibility. Committed to being the best in our field, RVNAhealth partnered with Home Care Pulse at the beginning of 2020 as part of an ongoing improvement initiative, to better understand the client and caregiver experience.
“As one of only 17 home care agencies in Connecticut to receive both awards, this recognition places us in the top 20% of participating non-medical home care agencies in the nation. We are honored to be recognized by our clients for outstanding service, as well as by our caregivers as a valued employer. I am extremely proud of our team of skilled and compassionate caregivers who provide care 24 hours a day, 7 days a week – in both normal times, as well as through the challenges of COVID. I am also grateful to our incredible clients for their feedback and trust in having RVNAhealth care for them or their loved ones,” says Melissa Woodhouse, RRT, MOT, OTR/L, CDP, Director of RVNAhealth StayingWELL Services.
Understood. Us too! Just a good re-set to lose weight, get back on track, break some recent habits, feel better, and start the year off right. There’s just one problem. Our RVNAhealth registered dietitian, Monica Marcello, MS RD, won’t let us. 😊
Why Not?
“To be clear, explains Marcello, “I am not anti-weight loss. But I am anti-deprivation. And deprivation is a key element of most diets. As a registered dietitian, I want you to EAT! I want you to eat the foods that are going to make you feel great, give you energy, promote good health, and still allow joy in your life. That is going to be different for everybody.”
Here are Marcello’s concerns about diets:
Diets set you up for failure by neglecting your individual needs and promoting an unsustainable approach.
Diets don’t work. Studies show that many dieters regain more weight than they originally lost.
Diets are often expensive. Specific diet food plans may cost between $100-500 per week and dietary pills and supplements may cost between$50-$200 per package.
Diets and healthy eating are not synonymous. Low in calories does not mean high in nutrition.
Diets can mess with your metabolism. When you’re dieting and in a moderate to extreme calorie deficit, your body learns how to adapt on fewer calories and can therefore stunt weight loss prematurely. Not only is this counter-intuitive to your goals, it can also add frustration and mental fatigue.
Why the Diet Appeal?
“Diets continue to intrigue people for many reasons,” says Marcello, “in part, I believe, they’ve been part of our culture for a long time, and we’re just programmed to think that if we want to lose weight, a diet is the place to start.”
But there are other reasons too:
Diets are big business and have been for decades. According to marketresearch.com, diets were a $78 billion dollar business in the United States in 2019, and that number is on the rise.
There’s a certain quick-fix appeal. If this, then this, and all will be better.
Deprivation for a finite time sometimes seems easier than moderation for a lifetime.
The jumpstart effect. Sometime people just want a wholesale change to interrupt current habits and put themselves in a better position quickly.
What’s a Dieter to Do?
Assess Your Goals.
If you really want to lose weight —for good — a diet is not the answer. You need a plan that works for you, your lifestyle, your goals, and your personality.
Through sustainable and healthy weight loss, done right, you can learn long-lasting tips/tricks that do more for the body beyond weight loss. You can improve your health and wellness by recognizing and responding to your internal cues and realities — hunger, fullness, food likes/dislikes, time for cooking, budget, sustainability. If it’s going to work, it needs to work for you and your life.
Weight Loss 101
Whether your motive is good health, weight loss, or to manage a health condition, there are certain basic tenets to remember:
Foods First. Foods First is an evidence-based approach that encourages individuals to eat intuitively and consume a variety of foods that assist in achieving good health
Prioritize nutrition over calories and the rest will fall into place —if you’re patient and approach correctly!
Try not to make weight loss the absolute priority and only goal. Let other aspects of your life be the guiding force for changing your diet.
Back to Basics. There is evidence-based research that supports a common eating style: Unprocessed, Plant-rich, Whole foods, High nutrition. All of the conditions below can be managed by adhering to these essential concepts.
Family history of high blood pressure, heart disease, Alzheimer’s
Struggling with mood and mental health disorders
Stomach or bowel issues
Diabetes and prediabetes
Skin
Inflammation and joint pain
Energy and brain fog
Creativity
I still want to diet to reset my habits. It’s worked in the past for me.
Oh, for goodness’ sake! You’re incorrigible! Let’s talk. If you must diet, you’ll want to do it as healthfully as possible, and be sure to transition from your diet to a subsequent plan that will reward your hard work. If you have a particular diet that’s interesting to you, we can review the benefits and pitfalls; identify what to watch out for; plan for what to do when you’re ‘done,’ and consider other lifestyle habits that might help you along.
What Next?
If you’re serious about losing weight, getting healthy, managing a condition, or dieting safely, get in touch! The first 25 people to click the link below will receive a 15-minute nutrition consultation and $50 off your first visit.
This January, the RVNAhealth Rehabilitation & Wellness Center welcomed Corey Dunn, a Physical Therapy Assistant (PTA) student who is doing a clinical internship through mid-March. Continue reading
“To be clear, explains Marcello, “I am not anti-weight loss. But I am anti-deprivation. And deprivation is a key element of most diets. As a registered dietitian, I want you to EAT! I want you to eat the foods that are going to make you feel great, give you energy, promote good health, and still allow joy in your life. That is going to be different for everybody.”
“Diets continue to intrigue people for many reasons,” says Marcello, “in part, I believe, they’ve been part of our culture for a long time, and we’re just programmed to think that if we want to lose weight, a diet is the place to start.”
Whether your motive is good health, weight loss, or to manage a health condition, there are certain basic tenets to remember: