Screenings, Flu Shots and More! Join Us October 5th

Do you have any overdue preventive health screenings or questions about your well-being that you’ve been putting off? Do you or your child(ren) need a flu shot? If so, why not take advantage of RVNAhealth’s Wellness Fair on Saturday, October 5th to get everything checked off your list! Join us for this beloved gathering to check in on your health, discover something new, and jumpstart your wellness journey. Enjoy complimentary health screenings, connect with experts from all our service lines, and don’t forget to take advantage of the opportunity to receive flu vaccines for both kids and adults. It’s a friendly and comprehensive experience for everyone.

One Place, One Day: The RVNAhealth Wellness Fair

We understand that scheduling multiple appointments for different screenings can be a hassle. That’s why, nearly 50 years ago, RVNAhealth started its Wellness Fair—an event designed to provide the most common health screenings in one day, at one location. We are proud to continue this tradition with our 49th Annual Wellness Fair, taking place on Saturday, October 5, 2024, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Yanity Gym, 60 Prospect Street, in Ridgefield. This event is open to the community, and we encourage you to join us to take charge of your health, gain new insights, and access valuable resources.

Our Wellness Fair is led by RVNAhealth’s skilled clinical staff, covering a wide range of services such as nursing, rehabilitation, nutrition, hospice care, private caregiving, and social work. We also partner with local experts to offer various screenings, including:

  • Anemia
  • Blood pressure
  • Blood glucose
  • Carotid artery
  • Cholesterol
  • Balance tests
  • Foot exams
  • Grip strength
  • Bone density
  • PLUS! Flu Shots (both high-dose and regular) for ALL AGES. Flu vaccines for children (age 18 and under) are provided FREE of charge, through the CT State vaccine program. For adults, we accept the following insurance plans for flu vaccines: Medicare Part B, Aetna, and Blue Cross Blue Shield.

Supporting Our Community

This year’s Wellness Fair is made possible thanks to the generous support of our sponsors: BMW of Ridgefield, Ridge Crest at Meadow Ridge, Liz and Steven Goldstone, The Greens at Cannondale/Wilton Meadows, Homecare Homebase, and Connecticut Relay. 

Stay Informed and Join Us

To keep up with the latest information about the Wellness Fair or to register for event reminders, visit our Wellness Fair event page. We look forward to seeing you on October 5th and helping you take a proactive step towards better health!

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.

RVNAhealth CNA School Graduates Its First Class

Theresa Santoro with graduates of RVNAhealth's 1st CNA School 2024

Pictured: CNA Graduates, teaching staff, and Theresa Santoro, President & CEO, RVNAhealth

RVNAhealth is thrilled to announce the graduation of our inaugural CNA School class! Twelve dedicated students completed the program in August and passed the Connecticut State CNA exam, and we are excited to welcome them to the RVNAhealth team. Each of these graduates excelled in their studies, and we could not be prouder of their hard work and commitment.

Investing In Certified Nursing Assistants as an Integral Part of Healthcare
RVNAhealth CNA School 2024
CNA Students in the RVNAhealth Clinical Training Lab in Ridgefield, honing their skills before moving on to their hands-on clinical training.

Balancing the supply and demand for Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) has been challenging at times, which is why we have long envisioned establishing a training program at RVNAhealth to support individuals aspiring to enter the healthcare field. Thanks to the generosity of dedicated donor, Linda Reddy, we are proud to offer a comprehensive training program that not only leads to certification but also provides employment opportunities within our organization. This program offers a valuable pathway for individuals to start or advance their careers, gain diverse experiences, and contribute meaningfully to the evolving healthcare industry. “My donation to RVNAhealth is in honor of my father who had a long-standing career in healthcare and nursing. I am delighted to support this critical initiative to enhance the future of healthcare and am thrilled with the success of the inaugural class,” says Reddy.

Over the past decade, the role of CNAs in the home setting at RVNAhealth has expanded significantly. This reflects the evolving landscape of healthcare, with a growing emphasis on aging in place while receiving high-quality, personalized, and technologically advanced care.

The CNA role serves as a vital entry point for those looking to learn the complexities of patient care in a home setting. CNAs are an integral part of the healthcare team, providing essential care services that help patients remain healthy and comfortable. They often have the most direct contact with patients and their families, and their dedication, compassion, and expertise have a profound impact on patient outcomes.

Congratulations to our CNA Graduates

“Establishing this program has been a longstanding dream of mine,” says Theresa Santoro, President and CEO of RVNAhealth, “and we are incredibly proud to have achieved this goal. This initiative is a testament to RVNAhealth’s commitment to fostering the future of healthcare. By investing in education, we are not only supporting our community but also strengthening our mission to deliver excellence in home healthcare.”

Celebrating successful completion of RVNAhealth’s CNA School 2024
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.

Celebrating Theresa Santoro & 25 Years of Leadership

Autumn Dinner. Celebrating Theresa Santoro's 25 years of leadership.

The RVNAhealth Board of Directors, Leadership Team, and the Autumn Dinner Committee invite you to join us at the annual RVNAhealth Autumn Dinner on Thursday, September 26th.

The event, filled with fun and celebration of the meaningful impact RVNAhealth has on the communities it serves, will be held at Le Chateau in South Salem, NY. Each year, the funds raised at this event are critical to our delivery of compassionate healthcare, hospice care, public health services, and wellness programs that we provide across 35+ Connecticut communities.

We are excited for a special event this year, as we honor our President & CEO, Theresa Santoro, in recognizing her 25 years of service and visionary leadership. Joining the agency as a visiting nurse 25 years ago, she leads an organization that continues to thrive under her direction. RVNAhealth has grown to become a regional healthcare provider, serving more than 5,000 patients and clients annually across western Connecticut.

The evening will include cocktails and a gourmet dinner, our back-by-popular-demand “Date Night for a Year” raffle, fabulous live auction items, and more. Please see our 2023 Autumn Dinner recap and photo gallery here for a taste of the great evening that awaits you!

Tickets, Sponsorships, and Ads are available.  Click here to learn more about the many ways you can have an impact in supporting our mission and your community. YOU can make a difference!

Thank you to our Sponsors! There is still time for you to sponsor as well! To discuss sponsorship opportunities, please contact Debbie Campbell, Development Manager, at 203.438.5555 x1249 or via email at dcampbell@RVNAhealth.org.

We look forward to seeing you on September 26th!

Private Nurse Services: When and Where You Need It

private nurse services

Many people are lucky to have health insurance covering most medical needs. However, there can be times when extra healthcare services are desired. For example, a loved one might need help understanding new medication or care routines, or they might need a blood draw but don’t feel comfortable venturing out of the house, or maybe you just want a peace of mind vitals check and someone who can speak directly to their doctor. In these situations, RVNAhealth’s StayingWELL division offers private pay nurse services from licensed RNs and LPNs, allowing patients to access a wide range of medical services, including hands-on care, consultations, advocacy, and training.

The Benefits of Private Nurse Services

Services from our private pay nurses include offerings such as medication management, pre-pours and administration, routine injections not covered by insurance, blood draws and lab delivery, diabetes care, and elective procedure recovery, to name just a few.

Private nurses can also assist patients ‘informationally.’  They can accompany patients to medical appointments — asking questions, collecting information, and providing feedback and guidance to families and loved ones.  They can provide education to patients and families, and train family caregivers on routine care needs.  For distant families, a private nurse can act as a central point of contact, providing ongoing health monitoring, managing physician communications, offering professional insights and affording peace of mind that a loved one is being well cared for and well looked after.

A significant benefit of private nursing is direct and convenient access to high-quality, personalized care when and where you need it. Because private nursing operates outside of the realm of insurance, access to services can be immediate and flexible, offered in-home or at a patient’s facility, with no limitations on time or length of service. StayingWELL’s private nurses work directly with patients’ physicians, ensuring a collaborative and individualized care plan.

Meet Corrine Muy-Cando, BSN, RN, NCPD, CFNC, Clinical Nurse Supervisor
Corrine Muy-Cando
Corrine Muy-Cando, BSN, RN, NCPD, CFNC, Clinical Nurse Supervisor

Corrine is a private nurse and Clinical Supervisor for StayingWELL’s Private Health Care Services. Corrine has 25 years of experience in the healthcare field, with experience working in both direct care and hospital settings. In particular, her years of experience caring for oncology patients, as well as the disability community and those with special needs, has driven her passion for personalized, patient-centric care.

When asked what she values most about her private nursing role, Corrine’s response was immediate, “Time for my patients!” Elaborating, she explained how fast-paced the traditional medical field has become, including the time healthcare workers have to spend with their patients. Patients and loved ones are often left feeling unsure or confused about their care routines and needs following changes to their health. “Many will only remember a portion of the instructions provided by their medical team and don’t know how to access what they’ve been instructed. This is just one example of where we help — by filling the gaps and giving patients and their loved ones as much time as needed to deliver the care and understanding they need.”

Contact Us For More Information

Private nurses are employed by RVNAhealth’s StayingWELL Services as either Registered Nurses or Licensed Practical Nurses and all have access to the entire RVNAhealth suite of services and team, ensuring seamless care and transition between services if needed. Private nursing services are available to patients in-home and at facilities located in western Connecticut. A more detailed information sheet on private nurse services can be found here. To inquire about private nurse services, please contact us at info@rvnahealth.org or 203.438.5555, option 2.

 

Wrapping Up RVNAhealth’s First Dementia Education Series

dementia education

As June came to a close, so did RVNAhealth’s first Dementia Education & Resources series. Thanks to a grant from Union Savings Bank and support from our donors, RVNAhealth introduced the program in February, a series of 7 educational presentations to bring much-needed education and awareness to those affected by dementia or interested in learning more. With statistics stating that one in three seniors, ages 65+, will develop some form of dementia, many are surprised to find that community resources and education specific to dementia are lacking. As RVNAhealth’s first educational-focused series on dementia, “Our goal was to help fill the resources gap and provide those impacted by dementia with tools, support, and a sense of community. This was a great first step in the dementia education space. We look forward to repeating these presentations and bringing new requested topics and content based upon our attendee feedback,” says Gigi Weiss, MSPT, RVNAhealth Senior Director of Rehabilitative Therapies and Certified Dementia Practitioner (CDP). P.S. – Read through to the end to find our video library of dementia presentations! 

Dementia Resource Building

Adding dementia education to RVNAhealth’s community education programming calendar was a natural step. With numerous Certified Dementia Practitioners on staff, RVNAhealth offers a broad array of care and support services, delivered by employees with the expertise needed to deliver exceptional communication and assistance between our team, the caregiver, patient, and family. Some of those services include:

  • Dementia Caregiver Support Group: In support of the challenges and needs facing the caregiving population, RVNAhealth offers a Dementia Caregiver Support group monthly, in coordination with the Alzheimer’s Association. Held on the fourth Monday of every month from 11:00am-12:00pm at the RVNAhealth Ridgefield office, the caregiver support group aims to create a safe, confidential, supportive environment and a chance for participants to develop informal mutual support and social relationships. They also educate and inform participants about dementia and help participants develop methods and skills to solve problems.
  • Personal Medical Alert Services: At the early stages of a dementia diagnosis, when round the clock care may not be necessary, a personal medical alert device can provide caregiver peace of mind for the health and well-being of a loved one. RVNAhealth offers a variety of in-home and on-the-go Lifeline device options.
  • Rehabilitation Services: Rehabilitation services help patients extend their independence in activities and speech.  Occupational and Speech Therapists help to stimulate cognitive and fine motor skills while providing practical tools to maximize activity, safety, and enhance quality of life.
  • Nutrition Services: Nutrition services for dementia, offered by our Registered Dietitian, are aimed at promoting appetite, healthy body weight, and positive engagement with food, while balancing each patient’s unique nutritional needs.
  • Private Duty Caregivers: Available as hourly or live-in, our private duty caregivers can provide a variety of non-medical personal and household assistance based upon a patient’s evolving needs.
  • Private Duty Nursing: Providing immediate access to care for medical needs and treatments not covered by insurance.  From medical care in the home, to medication preparation and administration, to peace of mind medical assessments and vital sign checks when getting to the doctor is too difficult – Private Duty Nurses provide immediate and customized care in coordination with a patient’s doctor.
  • Palliative & Hospice Care: For advanced dementia disease, palliative and hospice care with RVNAhealth provides in-home comfort care and peace to patient and family. An experienced team consisting of medical, social, spiritual, and family support volunteers bring their expertise and experience in dementia care to families and their loved ones.
Stay in Touch for Dementia News and Programming

To stay in touch with us about details or to register for any of these or RVNAhealth’s other educational and program offerings, please check out our calendar of events regularly. And if you would like to subscribe to our RVNAhealth Dementia-specific communications, please sign up HERE.

Dementia Presentation Video Library

For those that may have missed our presentations, or would like to go back and review topics, we are pleased to provide our dementia video library of the following recorded presentations:

 

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.

 

The Role of Geriatric Care Managers in Navigating the Aging Process

Geriatric Care Manager at RVNAhealth

What is a Geriatric Care Manager and why would I need one? This is an important question many have, but few know much (or enough) about! So let’s set the stage…

  • Do you have a loved one who has experienced a recent health or cognition change that will affect their daily or future living?
  • Do you know someone who is living alone or might need more care?
  • Do your loved ones have advanced directives in place, and have you had end-of-life care and wish discussions?

These scenarios only skim the surface in the range of topics that a Geriatric Care Manager can assist with. Whether seeking help during a period of transition or simply planning for the future, RVNAhealth’s Geriatric Care Management team of licensed clinical social workers offers expert senior guidance, advocacy, and support.

Help Designed For Navigating The Aging Journey

Navigating the complex world of senior care and aging requires careful knowledge and time. As RVNAhealth’s Geriatric Care Manager, Amy Feder, LCSW, CDP, CCM, works to support and educate clients and family members through their unique aging journey.

“I consider a large part of my role as an educator. Often, when a loved one experiences a sudden health or cognitive change, the children or spouse are not prepared for what those changes mean. Most are not aware of critical resources and options available to them.  That’s where I come in. I am a passionate counselor and advocate for our senior population. And helping individuals and families navigate the aging process is an honor,” says Amy.

Amy spends much of her time meeting with clients to understand needs, developing a plan, and then getting to work in connecting them with relevant and available resources and options. That work can span a wide range of support depending on an individuals’ needs and circumstances. Support may come in the form of education or advocacy on health and medical resources, connection to legal or financial assistance, social services, living and caregiving options, end-of-life planning, and more. “It can be really hard to summarize the services of a Geriatric Care Manager,” says Amy. “But that’s the beauty and importance of what this role is all about – it’s about each individual client and family and assisting them with their own specific needs.”

Questions or Want to Discuss a Geriatric Care Management Need?

RVNAhealth’s Geriatric Care Managers are available to clients on a private-pay basis for as little as an hour or for as long as an individual or family would like for ongoing needs and oversight.  “A lot can be accomplished in a one hour conversation,” says Amy. But she encourages anyone interested in learning more to first reach out for a free 15-minute consultation to help determine your specific needs.  If you have an inquiry or questions about Geriatric Care Management at RVNAhealth, please call us at 203.438.5555 option 2.

About Amy Feder, LCSW, CDP, CCM, RVNAhealth Geriatric Care Manager

Amy Feder, RVNAhealth Geriatric Care Manager, LCSW, CDP, CMCPrior to her new role, Amy worked as an RVNAhealth Hospice and Palliative Care Social Worker.  She has also worked for many years as a Geriatric Care Manager for the Senior Choice at Home program through Jewish Senior Services. Amy’s background as a Certified Dementia Practitioner/ Geriatric Case Manager has provided her a unique ability in supporting geriatric patients and their families.  Amy has facilitated caregiver support groups throughout assisted living facilities in Connecticut and has spoken on the importance of self-care for family members caring for elderly loved ones.

Amy received her Master’s in Social Work from NYU in 1994, and has worked at both NYU Medical Center and Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City.  Amy is a member of the Alzheimer’s Association, NASW, a Certified Dementia Practitioner (CDP), and Certified Care Manager (CCM) through the National Academy of Certified Care Managers. She feels it is a privilege to provide care for the senior population.

 

 

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.

Ridgefield Thrift Shop Awards Grant to RVNAhealth’s Hospice program

Ridgefield Thrift Shop grant award to RVNAhealth 2024

The Ridgefield Thrift Shop has generously awarded RVNAhealth with a grant to support the Ridgefield Thrift Shop Hospice Fund at RVNAhealth. Thrift Shop volunteers, Annette Robertson and Shirley VanDam, presented the grant check to Theresa Santoro, RVNAhealth President & CEO, and MJ Heller, RVNAhealth Director of Philanthropy, at the Thrift Shop’s grant award reception on April 29, 2024.

The fund was initially established in 2019 to help sustain the critical services provided by RVNAhealth’s hospice program. The renewal of this grant will continue to offset many unreimbursed program costs, including bereavement support to patients and families, music and pet therapies, end-of-life wishes, and the annual memorial service to name a few.

RVNAhealth’s hospice program serves patients in their residences, including private homes, assisted living facilities, nursing homes or hospitals, and it addresses physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs to ensure quality of life and comfort in one’s final days. The program has grown exponentially since its inception in late 2018 and now serves more than 450 hospice patients and their families annually. In addition, dedicated agency volunteers provided 1,600 hospice volunteer hours to ensure patients and their loved ones received companionship and support at this difficult time.

The relationship between RVNAhealth and the Ridgefield Thrift Shop dates back to 1937, when the Thrift Shop was created to support and sustain the work of RVNAhealth, then known as the District Nursing Association.  “We are so thankful for this opportunity to continue to work together to ensure quality health care remains accessible to individuals throughout Connecticut,” says MJ Heller, Director of Philanthropy at RVNAhealth.

“This grant will provide essential funding to our hospice program, making sure that our patients and their families receive the full care and support they need during such a sensitive time in their lives.  We are grateful to have compassionate and dedicated community partners like the Ridgefield Thrift Shop who help bring our mission to life.”

If you are interested in supporting RVNAhealth or learning more about our hospice or grants programs, please visit rvnahealth.org/support-us or contact MJ Heller, Director of Philanthropy, at 203.438.5555, x1206, or email mjheller@rvnahealth.org.

Dynamic Duo: Volunteer Lead and Therapy Dog Win Hospice Award

Stephanie Peppe, Hospice Volunteer Manager, and our beloved hospice therapy dog Sophia won the 2024 Florence Wald Award for Excellence in End-of-Life Care – Volunteer Award.

Pictured: Stephanie Peppe, Hospice Volunteer Manager, and Sophia (Therapy Dog), along with Theresa Santoro, RVNAhealth President & CEO, and the RVNAhealth Hospice and Palliative Care teams.

We are incredibly proud to announce that our very own Stephanie Peppe, Hospice Volunteer Manager, and our beloved hospice therapy dog Sophia won the 2024 Florence Wald Award for Excellence in End-of-Life Care – Volunteer Award. The award was presented at the Connecticut Association for Healthcare at Home Statewide Hospice & Palliative Care Annual Summit.

About the Award

Stephanie Peppe, Hospice Volunteer Manager, and our beloved hospice therapy dog Sophia won the 2024 Florence Wald Award for Excellence in End-of-Life Care – Volunteer Award.
Stephanie and Sophia are pictured here with Florence Wald’s daughter, Shari Vogler

The award was established to honor Florence Wald, a pioneer in improving the care of dying patients worldwide. Florence Wald’s 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. As a visionary leader with an unwavering commitment to social justice and reverence for life, she invited patient, family, and team participation. She truly listened to their input which ultimately started the hospice reform movement in this country.

A Passion for Hospice Volunteers

In her role as Hospice Volunteer Manager, Stephanie Peppe is crucial in recruiting, training, and overseeing volunteers who provide invaluable support to hospice patients and their loved ones. Stephanie manages a team of 70+ volunteers and in the past 12 months, they have provided over 1,600 hours of help in the office and the field visiting patients and their family members.  Stephanie is steadfast in her mission to educate and inspire others to recognize the value of hospice volunteerism. “People are usually drawn to hospice volunteer work because of a positive personal experience with a loved one,” she says. “But I encourage all to consider hospice as a volunteer path. It really doesn’t take much except being there — sitting with a patient, walking the dog, or providing respite for the family so they can run errands,” she says. “Presence means the absolute world to patients and their families.”

Welcoming our Therapy Dog

On June 8, 2021, RVNAhealth welcomed Sophia, RVNAhealth’s Hospice Therapy Dog. Sophia was trained at ECAD — Educated Canines Assisting with Disabilities and was originally intended to be a seeing-eye dog, but her calm demeanor and mild pace ultimately destined her to be the perfect facility/therapy dog. In addition to her hospice volunteer role, Stephanie took on the lead role for our pet therapy program.

A Dynamic Duo for RVNAhealth Hospice

Together, Stephanie and Sophia have helped pioneer a special approach to hospice care, bringing comfort and companionship to patients in a unique and meaningful way. Sophia’s presence has been a source of joy and comfort to many, embodying the spirit of compassion and companionship that is central to hospice care.

Stephanie’s tenacity in challenging misconceptions about hospice care, her dedication to educating and inspiring others, and her innovative use of animal-assisted therapy with Sophia truly set her apart as a leader in the field of end-of-life care. Sophia’s role as a therapy dog has brought comfort and joy to many patients and their families, highlighting the importance of companionship and emotional support in hospice care. Together, Stephanie and Sophia have touched the lives of countless individuals, embodying the spirit of Florence Wald’s interdisciplinary approach to end-of-life care. Congratulations to Stephanie and Sophia for embodying the spirit of excellence in hospice care!

For More Information About Volunteering at RVNAhealth

Watch Sophia, star in ‘A Day in the Life of a Hospice Volunteer”

RVNAhealth welcomes all inquiries for volunteer opportunities. The RVNAhealth volunteer program offers safe and diverse opportunities for donating time in a way that is purposeful and meaningful for everyday heroes of all ages. Share the gift of your time across our robust organization in an administrative role, or join our Hospice volunteer corps, dedicated to supporting patients and families at end-of-life. A little known fact specific to our hospice volunteers program — RVNAhealth, and all Medicare-certified hospice programs, are required by law to have 5% of service hours performed by volunteers.  Why?  Because hospice care in the U.S. was founded by volunteers, and the commitment to the power, beauty, and altruism of volunteering remains!

If you are interested in learning more about volunteering at RVNAhealth, please visit us here and fill out our Volunteer Inquiry Form.

 

 

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.