What do a Ridgefield High School student, a social media consultant, an orthopedic surgeon, a comedian, and a police officer have in common? No, this isn’t the start of a bad joke. It’s a list of just some of the contestants vying for bragging rights in RVNA’s 7^th Annual Spelling Bee.  Scheduled for Wednesday, March 7, at 7 p.m., at the Ridgefield Playhouse, the event brings together members of the community for a fun evening of friendly competition to benefit a great cause – RVNAhealth Nursing Education.

Think of it as the traditional Scripps National Spelling Bee meets “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire.” In a fun twist on official spelling bee rules, contestants are allowed a “lifeline” in the audience to help them out with difficult words. If eliminated, they can “buy” themselves back into the competition for a donation. Audience members can also donate to get their favorite contestant back in the mix.

Judges for this year’s fundraiser are: Geoffrey Morris, editor-in-chief and publisher of TownVibe Media publications, including Ridgefield Magazine; Dean Miller, chair of the boards of Meals on Wheels of Ridgefield and the Ridgefield Library; and Vicki Mueller, retirement strategist at Charter Research & Investment Group, and chair of the board of RVNA.

Contestants from the community are:

• John Apinis, RN, BSN, RVNAhealth Director of Nursing Services
• Chris Augustine, Ridgefield Fire Department
• Deirdre Basile, Ph.D., Ridgefield Council of PTAs
• Lyndsay Clark, Kickfit CT
• Dr. John Dunleavy, OrthoConnecticut
• Kate Fitzpatrick, Kate Fitzpatrick Consulting
• Carol Gardell, Ridgefield Thrift Shop
• Amy Piantaggini, Ridgefield Conservatory of Dance
• Steve Scalzo, Ridgefield Little League
• Matt Stamatis, Ridgefield High School student
• Kate Tinsley, Ridgefield police officer
• Tim Washer, comedian and former “Saturday Night Live” writer
• Jonathan Winn, Thrown Stone Theater Company

This year’s Bee sponsors include: AR Kids; Audrey Road; BMW of Ridgefield; Dr. Blaine Langberg; Casey Energy; Cathie Bonner, Professional Skating Instructor; Cramer & Anderson Law Firm; Dr. Dana C. Jones; Fairfield County Bank; Fairfield County Financial Services; Hamlet Hub; Maida Design; Reynolds & Rowella, LLP; Ridgefield Academy; Ridgefield Fire Department; Ridgefield PBA; The Ridgefield Press; Ross Bread Shoppe & Coffee House; Study Works – Janie Larson; Tiger Sports; Turner Mechanical, Inc.; We Do Lines; and Young’s of Ridgefield.

Who will be the winner? It’s anyone’s game, but the real winner is RVNA’s Nursing Education program.  Funds raised through the Spelling Bee support RVNAhealth Nursing Education.  RVNAhealth spends approximately $40,000 per year on education and in-service training for its more than 80 nurses, therapists, and home health aides.  Last year, the agency served more than 1,500 patients, making well over 48,000 home care visits in 28 western Connecticut towns.

The RVNAhealth Spelling Bee promises to be fun for the whole family, while supporting an organization that serves so many in our own community and beyond.

RVNAhealth is pleased to announce that Ridgefielder John Apinis, RN, BSN, has joined the staff as the agency’s new Director of Nursing Services.  In that role, Apinis oversees a staff of 30 nurses, as well as CNAs, and office staff helping to deliver health care in the home for RVNAhealth’s more than 1,500 patients.  He will also collaborate with the directors of the agency’s other service areas  – HomeCare by RVNAhealth, Rehab by RVNAhealth, and the currently developing Hospice by RVNAhealth – to integrate all of RVNAhealth’s offerings and ensure that patients’ needs can be met throughout the continuum of care.

Apinis says that changes in the healthcare industry have meant an increasing focus on the critical role of home care.  “With a general trend toward shorter hospital stays, the need for homecare is growing,” he says.  “And, it can result in better, more cost-effective outcomes than a lengthy hospital stay.”

Apinis, who holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from Fairfield University, entered the nursing field after a successful career in publishing.  He began his nursing career at the VA Connecticut Healthcare System in West Haven, caring primarily for Vietnam and Korean War veterans, where he gained a profound respect for those who served our country.  From there, he moved on the Western Connecticut Health Network, working as an RN case manager in home health care.

Apinis calls his work in nursing gratifying.  “I love what I do. It has made me a better person,” he says. In his new role, he hopes to help ensure that RVNAhealth’s clinicians have the same positive experience delivering care in the field that he had.   “People don’t always know what home health care is until they need it,” he adds.  “But the work we do can have such a positive impact on our patients’ lives.”

A resident of Ridgefield for more than 20 years, Apinis and his wife, Wendy, have three children.

BMW of Ridgefield is no stranger to RVNA.   Led by Dealer Principal, Ed McGill, the local automobile dealership has been a loyal supporter of RVNA’s mission for more than a decade.  As a regular contributor to RVNA’s various annual fundraising efforts, BMW of Ridgefield played a role in RVNA’s “Campaign for Tomorrow,” which allowed the agency to move into its state-of-the-art Center for Exceptional Care on Governor Street in 2016.

“Throughout the years, we have been so fortunate to have BMW of Ridgefield’s support at many of our events,” says RVNAhealth President and CEO Theresa Santoro, MSN, RN, CHCA.

This spring, BMW of Ridgefield will be adding even more support by becoming a Gold Sponsor of RVNA’s 44^th Annual Health & Wellness Fair on Saturday, April 21, at East Ridge Middle School. The event is an important part of RVNA’s long-standing tradition of serving the health needs of the community. Over 100 exhibitors come together to share valuable health information, answer questions, and provide free screenings for everything from anemia and blood glucose, to vision, hearing, bone density, and more.  Last year, RVNAhealth and event exhibitors provided over 1,170 health screenings, and connected attendees with a wealth of fun and informative wellness resources, too.  These additional exhibits run the gamut from integrative medicine and massage to nutrition and balance exercises.

“We are fortunate to have so many generous supporters and exhibitors partnering with us to provide these crucial screenings and resources,” says Barbara Newland, RVNAhealth Director of Community Health & Wellness. “This collective effort helps us all on our path to achieving and maintaining optimal health.”

In addition to the Health & Wellness Fair, BMW of Ridgefield has committed to sponsor all of RVNA’s local events in 2018.  First up is the annual RVNAhealth Spelling Bee on Wednesday, March 7, at the Ridgefield Playhouse. In addition to signing on as a Queen Bee Sponsor, BMW of Ridgefield is giving the winner the opportunity to take a BMW home for a weekend of luxury driving. The dealership will also serve as a Silver Sponsor of the annual Spring Breakfast in April, and a Gold Sponsor of Autumn Dinner next fall, both events they’ve contributed to in the past.

As RVNAhealth works to add to its spectrum of services and complete the continuum of care, BMW of Ridgefield is there to lend even more support.  Ed McGill and his team have offered to host an event at the dealership to raise funds and awareness for the agency’s future plans of incorporating Hospice by RVNA, currently in development, to its continuum of care. This service will allow RVNAhealth to provide compassionate end-of-life services to its patients for continuity of care.

“It’s through dedicated donors like BMW of Ridgefield that we’re able to raise the funds that are vital to our ability to meet the evolving healthcare needs of our community,” says Santoro.  “We’re honored to be among the worthy organizations that Ed McGill and BMW of Ridgefield are committed to supporting.”

RVNAhealth Offers Flu Shots and Practical Tips to Keep You Healthy

Flu activity across the country continues to increase.  According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), cases of the flu rose sharply over the last two weeks,  and are twice as high as the same time period last year.  As of the first week in January (the most recent data available), 49 states had widespread flu activity, including Connecticut.  All eight counties in the state are experiencing flu, with Hartford and Fairfield counties reporting the highest number of cases.

Characterized by the sudden onset of symptoms such as fever and/or chills, cough, sore throat, runny nose, headaches, and body aches, the flu is not something to take lightly.  If not treated promptly, it can result in complications, including pneumonia and bronchitis, and may lead to hospitalization, even for otherwise healthy people. What’s also important to remember is that symptoms can vary greatly from person to person, and may not follow the expected pattern. In children, for example, vomiting and diarrhea may occur.

What can you do to protect yourself? “The flu shot, though not foolproof, is still your best defense,” says April Rodríguez, RN, Community Health Nurse Manager for RVNA.  While it’s true that you may still come down with the flu even after getting the shot, it doesn’t mean that there’s no benefit.  Having the vaccine can result in milder symptoms and a shorter duration of illness if you do get sick.  Plus, having the flu shot can also help protect those around you who are more vulnerable, such as small children and the elderly.

Beyond the flu shot, RVNAhealth nurses recommend other common-sense steps to keep yourself and those around you healthy:

• Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth without washing your hands first. This is a common way germs are spread.
• Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that may be contaminated with germs like the flu.
• Get plenty of rest and eat a healthy diet.

If you come down with flu-like symptoms, seek medical attention and be careful around others. You can spread it for as long as a week after you’re sick.  To help contain the spread, follow these tips:

• Limit your contact with other people as much as possible while you’re sick.
• Stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone (except to get medical care).
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it and wash your hands immediately. Even better, cough or sneeze into your elbow, not your hands.

The good news is that there’s still time to get a flu shot and benefit from the protection it provides. RVNAhealth offers flu shots at its Center for Exceptional Care, 27 Governor Street in Ridgefield.  For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 203-438-5555

A recent New York Times article discussed how after a five decade rise in the number of women in the workforce, that rise has stalled over the past 15 years. The general consensus is that caring for children, historically a woman’s job, has taken its toll. But the other significant factor is that elder care responsibilities have also increased as the population in the United States has aged. This combination has made it challenging for many women to actively remain in the labor market. Today, 15 percent of the American population has reached retirement age. Many older Americans are unable to live independently, and the job of caring for them falls predominantly on wives and daughters. A quarter of the women age 45-64 years old and one in seven of those 35-44 are caring for an older relative.

As a result, 10 percent of family caregivers have to cut back on their work hours and 6 percent leave the work force entirely. Surveys indicate that family caregivers spend about 20 hours a week providing care, with many reporting having to miss work or eventually losing their jobs. This trend is likely to continue – by 2030, more than 20 percent of Americans will be of retirement age and on average, will need three years of long term care. The burden on millennial adult children will be even greater as they care for their children and parents. They also have fewer siblings with whom to share the responsibilities and with higher divorce rates among aging baby boomers, many will have no spouse to care for them.

The U.S. Department of Labor projects that roughly 1.2 million home health aides and personal care aides will be added to the labor market to help address this need. In the meantime, prime working-age women will continue to leave the workforce to care for aging parents.  HomeCare by RVNA offers certified aides on an hourly or live-in basis who can help to care for loved ones when family members cannot. For more information, call 203 894-5000.

Recently, news sources have reported an outbreak of Hepatitis A in several U.S. states this year.  Among the states involved, Utah and California have seen the most activity, with Michigan, Kentucky, Arizona, and Colorado also reporting cases of the illness. Three cases have recently been confirmed in Port Chester, NY.  Should you be concerned?

A viral illness affecting the liver, Hepatitis A can cause flu-like symptoms, including fatigue, fever, poor appetite, and abdominal  pain. Symptoms usually appear two to four weeks after exposure. While generally mild, the virus can be serious if not addressed promptly, and in rare cases, may be fatal.  No specific treatment exists, so symptom management – including rest, nausea relief, and avoidance of alcohol – are key. Most people recover from symptoms within a few weeks, and the liver typically heals within six months with no lasting damage. The disease is transmitted through ingestion of contaminated food and water or direct contact with an infectious person.  What’s tricky in terms of stopping an outbreak is that people are contagious before symptoms appear and before they realize they’re sick.  Fortunately, transmission can be prevented through proper hand-washing.

In 1994, Hepatitis A was added to the list of routine childhood immunizations, but people born before then may not have been vaccinated.  While not a tremendous local concern at this point, those traveling to the areas where outbreaks have occurred should check their immunization records and consider getting the vaccine if they haven’t previously done so.

RVNAhealth always has the Hepatitis A vaccine available at its Center for Exceptional Care, 27 Governor Street in Ridgefield. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 203-438-5555.

One Couple’s Journey to Leaving a Legacy

Sal and Janet Cianci have shared a remarkable journey over their 43 years of marriage – one that has been interwoven with RVNAhealth for the past 11 years.  The beautiful realtor and charming dressmaker met while vacationing in Japan, and started a life together in Brooklyn, NY, before eventually settling in Fairfield County, CT.  Their bond and commitment to each other and their community is one we are fortunate to witness to this day.

We were first introduced to Sal and Janet in 2007, when they joined our team of dedicated volunteers.  As active residents of Redding for more than 20 years, they wished to remain living independently in their beautiful home.  They knew they weren’t alone, as many of their friends and neighbors had the same desire.  Sal and Janet were without any immediate family in the area. The question remained as to whether there were enough resources and support in place for them to do this safely.

At the same time, RVNAhealth was creating its Quality Living at Home Program (QLAH), a free aging-in-place outreach program that helps people remain in their homes in a safe, healthy and socially connected way.  Sal and Janet were QLAH Redding Committee members and encouraged the Town of Redding’s Commission on Aging to join forces with RVNAhealth to get this program off the ground. QLAH connects members with local programs and services, such as the police, ministry, pharmacy, grocery stores, senior centers, health clinics, recreational opportunities, medical professionals, home maintenance services and transportation to promote independent living as long as possible.

The program has helped seniors, including Sal and Janet, fulfill their dream to remain at home in their later years.  The Ciancis have also spent countless hours volunteering their time at our annual Health and Wellness Fair, flu clinics, and more. They believe in our mission so much that they expressed their desire to join our 1914 Legacy Society and leave a bequest to RVNAhealth as part of their estate plan.  We are honored and grateful for their generosity and dedication to protect our future.

Recently Sal and Janet moved to a wonderful assisted living facility in a neighboring town with which RVNAhealth has a strong relationship.  Although not an easy decision, they knew it would provide the care they need at this stage of life.  RVNAhealth will always remain part of their circle of support; and the Ciancis will always be part of our agency’s success thanks to the impact their gracious planned gift will make.

To date, there are more than 50 members of the 1914 Legacy Society who have made gifts that will help secure our future for another 103+ years, and enable us to provide exceptional care to thousands of people from birth to end of life.  If you believe in the mission of RVNA, or we have made an impact in your life or the life of someone you love, we ask that you  consider leaving a legacy gift like Janet and Sal have done, so we may continue to be the healthcare leader in your community.

“We are getting older and can’t do as much on our own; we need help. RVNAhealth is the vehicle. You are our family.”
– Sal Cianci, October 2017

To learn more about the 1914 Legacy Society and legacy gifts to RVNA, please contact Mary Jean Heller, director of philanthropy, at (203) 438-5555.

With more and more seniors choosing to live at home in their later years, the logical question is how they can do so safely. Many will need medical care – such as nursing and rehabilitation therapies provided by RVNAhealth — at some point as they age. But what about the people who don’t need medical intervention, but do need help with the tasks of daily life? That’s where RVNAhealth comes in.

RVNAhealth offers caregiver services to seniors at home, improving their safety and comfort, while giving their families peace of mind.  Aide services run the gamut from simple companionship and errands to light housekeeping, meal preparation, dressing, and medication reminders.  RVNAhealth can provide whatever level of service and for whatever duration of time a client needs – whether it’s a few hours a week, full-time, or live-in care.  Family members can also benefit from these services.  People who are caring for their elderly parents or relatives can turn to RVNAhealth for respite, allowing them to take time for themselves to go to work, attend an event, or even take a vacation. And, unlike medical care, these services do not require a doctor’s prescription.

RVNAhealth allows seniors and families to take advantage of what they need now, and increase care as their needs increase.  And, with a nurse manager on staff providing supervision, the organization is able to determine if and when medical care might also be appropriate.

When navigating the array of services available to seniors, it can be difficult to determine what’s covered by insurance and what isn’t. Care that is medically necessary is usually covered by insurance, including  Medicare; aide services are typically not covered by insurance and are privately paid by the client. Caregiver services provided by an approved home care agency may qualify for reimbursement through a client’s long-term care insurance policy.

RVNAhealth provides the full spectrum of services that seniors may need.  Together, the organizations are a vital part of the plan of care for the elderly in our community. To learn more about how RVNAhealth might help you or a loved one, contact us at 203-894-5000