A Month of Thankfulness but an Honor Year-Round

Community Dementia Presentation on June 16th 2023

As November brings a celebration of thankfulness with the Thanksgiving holiday, at RVNAhealth another type of thankfulness is celebrated throughout the month. November is recognized as National Hospice & Palliative Care month. It is a time we show our appreciation for the nurses, aides, social workers, and others, who pour their heart and soul into the compassionate care of our hospice patients and their families.

”When asking any member of our team why they chose to work in the hospice field, you often hear the phrase ‘it’s an honor’ mentioned,” says Hospice Clinical Director, Jessica Velasco, RN, CDP. “They are honored to be a part of a patient’s end-story…honored to have families welcome them into their homes to care for their loved one…honored to share in a family’s personal stories, thoughts, and emotions. RVNAhealth’s Hospice team works around the clock daily to deliver a remarkable standard of care and support to our patients and their loved ones. During this month as we celebrate and recognize the hospice profession, please join me as we ‘turn the table’ and express what an honor it is to work alongside this amazing team!”

We send our tremendous gratitude and appreciation to the following Hospice teams:

Thank you to our Medical Directors who oversee the care and management of our patients. Our Medical Directors provide round the clock expertise, patient team coordination, and support to our Nursing and extended interdisciplinary teams, helping to ensure comfort through each patient’s individual hospice journey.

Thank you to our Nursing Team — those in the field and in the office, those who work weekdays, weekends, and night shifts. Our Nursing staff do everything from creating and overseeing patient care plans, to answering family calls and questions, to reviewing charts and ongoing adjusting of comfort measures, to teaching and helping loved ones to best support their family member. Our Nursing Team members work 24-7 to ensure patients and family members are supported through easily accessible communication and compassionate expert care.

Thank you to our CNAs (Certified Nursing Assistants), a team that comprises a core function of everything we do in Hospice.  These talented hands-on health care professionals spend the most time with our patients, following plans of care, aiding with activities of daily living, and dynamically supporting their changing needs.

Thank you to our Social Workers who provide emotional and informational support and education to patients and their families, helping them navigate and understand the hospice care journey. They are also trained to comfort and guide families with grief both during and after a loved one’s passing.

Thank you to our Pastoral Care Team who provide non-denominational spiritual care that is personalized to each patient’s beliefs and wishes. Trained to help individuals explore and navigate feelings, understandings, and hopes, this team also provides bereavement support for our patients, loved ones, and the community.

Thank you to our Music Therapists who use their restorative talents to support comfort, fond memories, and the release of emotions throughout care. Whether as a quiet listening experience or as an active entertainment with dialogue or song, our music team strives to meet what a patient needs the most on any day.

Thank you to our Hospice Volunteer Team who have donated over 2,000 hours of their time in the last year alone providing visits to our patients and their families, as well as assisting in our offices. From chatting, to playing games, to walks, and supportive listening, our volunteers add meaningful moments to our hospice team every day.

Thank you to our Therapy Dog, Sophia who works tirelessly to provide joyful, tail-wagging visits and cuddles.

Thank you to all other RVNAhealth interdisciplinary teams who work to ensure our hospice program delivers best in class service to families when they need it most!

For more information on RVNAhealth Hospice services, please visit our website or call us at 203.438.5555.

An Autumn Dinner to Remember

On September 24th RVNAhealth hosted its annual Autumn Dinner at the Amber Room Colonnade in Danbury. Friends, supporters, clients, and clinical staff came together to celebrate the agency’s work providing exceptional health and wellness care for individuals of all ages.

Guest speaker, Joseph Pastore, shared his personal experience with the care his family received from RVNAhealth when their twins were born, one with a life-threating health concern. Twenty years later, he called upon RVNAhealth again when he suffered a stroke at age 53. Mr. Pastore has spent the past two years working with the RVNAhealth Rehab team and has successfully regained his strength and mobility.

President & CEO, Theresa Santoro, spoke about the increase in demand for home health and hospice care following the peak of COVID-19. “We surpassed quite a milestone this year, caring for more than 5,000 patients in their homes. That’s three times our patient count of 5 years ago.”

RVNAhealth cares for people across all stages of life in 35+ Connecticut communities, from first-time mothers and uninsured children to older patients with varying medical needs and people needing end-of-life care.

Mrs. Santoro noted the challenge of meeting the increasingly complex needs of patients in the context of the work force shortage. “RVNAhealth must remain a competitive and appealing employer through innovation and technology, education, and skills training.”

The evening featured a bourbon tasting sponsored by Ancona’s Wines & Liquors, live music by singer/songwriter, Nick DePuy, and autumnal centerpieces donated by Mary Jones at Rodier Flowers. Popular entertainer, Tom Pesce, led the guests through a spirited live auction and paddle raise to fund the RVNAhealth mission.

On behalf of the Board of Directors and RVNAhealth staff, we extend our heartfelt appreciation to Joseph Pastore for serving as the evening’s guest speaker, our sponsors and advertisers for supporting the agency, and every member of the Autumn Dinner committee for their time, enthusiasm, hard work and dedication in planning and organizing this memorable event.

 

RVNAhealth Flu Vaccine Options for the Whole Family!

If you are age 6 months or older, RVNAhealth has you covered for flu season! This year we are pleased to offer a variety of ways to get your flu shot. RVNAhealth Ridgefield and New Milford offices are offering convenient drive-thru clinics, as well as in-office appointments. There are also two community clinics in the town of Bethel open to anyone. A limited supply of the new Pfizer and Moderna COVID booster will also be on hand, available upon request and availability at the time of your flu shot.

Whether you are a regular in rolling up your sleeve, or you need a little more nudging, it’s always good to get the facts. Here’s a few facts to get you started!

  • The Flu vaccines are highly effective and adverse effects are rare. Even in a year where the flu shot is not a “good match” for the virus, vaccination still protects against severe illness.
  • You cannot get the flu from the flu shot.
  • You can receive a flu vaccine if you have an egg allergy. RVNAhealth offers egg and preservative-free vaccines.
  • Flu vaccines for all children in CT, age 18 and under, are provided at no cost regardless of insurance status.
  • And you can get the COVID-19 booster and flu shot at the same time!

Recommendations for this year’s flu season remain similar to last year. While timing and length of flu activity through the COVID pandemic has been less consistent with prior years, the CDC continues to recommend September and October as optimal times for flu vaccination. Vaccination after October is still recommended for providing valuable protection through the typical peak season.

For more information on available RVNAhealth flu clinics and appointments, please visit our flu webpage or call 203.438.5555.

RVNAhealth Earns Top Workplaces Award for the 10th Time!

For the 10th time since 2011, RVNAhealth has earned a Top Workplaces award from Hearst Connecticut Media. The award is given to local companies that lead the way in workplace culture based on employee surveys. At RVNAhealth, the employees surveyed include clinical staff — nurses, rehabilitation therapists, and certified nursing assistants — as well as non-medical caregivers and administrative staff. RVNAhealth places in the mid-sized company category which includes companies with between 100 and 999 employees.

“2022 has been a year of gratitude for our employees who embody the mission and culture of our organization.  Following the pandemic and our 2020 merger with Bethel Visiting Nurse Association and New Milford Visiting Nurse & Hospice, I am proud to see the continued strength and dedication of our employees,” says Theresa Santoro, MSN, RN, CHCA, President and CEO of RVNAhealth.  “Earning this award validates the strength of the RVNAhealth mission, and the commitment of our employees to the patients and communities we serve.  It is an honor to work alongside this talented team.”

The Top Workplaces designation was awarded to 59 local Connecticut companies this year. To be considered, a company must be located in Fairfield, Litchfield, or New Haven County, have at least 35 employees, and be nominated for the award by a current employee.  Company employees then complete a survey on their organization after which results are tabulated and prizes awarded.

RVNAhealth was also named a Hearst Connecticut Media Top Workplace in 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2020, and 2021.  In addition to enjoying a mission-driven, rewarding workplace, RVNAhealth employees receive a full range of benefits including: medical and dental insurance, company-paid life insurance, a retirement plan with generous matching contributions, flexible work arrangements, training, professional development, and career paths. To learn more about joining the RVNAhealth family, visit  rvnahealth.org/careers/.

Don’t Miss the Fun at Our Autumn Dinner!

RVNAhealth is hosting our annual Autumn Dinner on Saturday, September 24 at The Amber Room Colonnade in Danbury. We have a wonderful evening in store and invite the community to join us in celebrating and supporting RVNAhealth, our exceptional staff, and the vital healthcare services we bring to the greater area.

One of our biggest fundraising events of the year, guests will enjoy cocktails on the patio, a bourbon tasting, live music by local singer/songwriter, Nick DePuy, and a farm-to-table inspired dinner.  Our popular “Date Night for a Year” Raffle will return with gift certificates to fabulous area restaurants, from Ridgefield to Litchfield, an overnight stay at the West Lane Inn, a spa experience at Adam Broderick Salon & Spa, a shopping spree at J. Seitz & Co., tickets to ACT of CT, MoMA and more!

Additionally, our live auction will offer several exciting experiences, including:  box seat tickets to see Andrea Bocelli perform at Madison Square Garden; first row tickets to see the Jets/Patriots battle it out in Foxborough, complete with a weekend stay in Boston; catered dinner for 10 by Chef Sarah Bouissou, of Bernard’s & Sarah’s Wine Bar; three-night stay for two in Monterey, CA, including golf at the Links at Spanish Bay and the Del Monte Golf Course; and a Presidents’ week ski vacation at Loon Mountain.

If you’re interested in supporting the RVNAhealth Autumn Dinner, you may purchase tickets or make a donation to the event here or call Connie Marsala, Development Manager, at 203.438.5555 x1018.

Introducing the Wellness Academy!

As you may notice upon scrolling down to our calendar of events…its getting a little full…and we couldn’t be more thrilled!  We are pleased to offer everything from ongoing classes and support groups, to one-time educational offerings. And with all that’s going on, we thought we’d give you a sneak peak into one of our new upcoming communications to keep you better informed of all that RVNAhealth has to offer!

Introducing RVNAhealth’s Wellness Academy – our new way of organizing and communicating RVNAhealth’s expert-led offerings.  Our fall calendar is already packed with a variety of classes, support groups, and more, held at our RVNAhealth offices in Ridgefield and New Milford, as well as out in the community at partner organizations. Our Wellness Academy line up includes RVNAhealth employee experts covering a broad range of topics such as Nutrition, Neuropathy, Parkinson’s, Healthy Living, Strength and Balance, and Bereavement.  There are many free special-interest events and support groups, as well as some ongoing, pay-as-you-go, fitness and wellness classes.

“We are excited to be able to bring such a broad and dynamic line up of in-person classes and gatherings back to our communities.  Our RVNAhealth team brings a wealth of expertise and knowledge and we are all excited to open our doors and welcome the public back into our offices,” says Kim Cafiero, Director of Marketing.

Here’s just a highlight of things going on in September. Look out for our fall Wellness Academy special edition newsletter and please continue to check our website calendar for the latest information on available classes and events and new programs.

September 2022 Line Up

What’s on Your Nerves? – New Milford
This free session will provide an overview of neuropathy and how symptoms can be improved through food, exercise, and holistic medicine.
Tuesday, September 20th, 12:00pm – 1:30pm
RVNAhealth New Milford office, 68 Park Lane Road, New Milford
Registration Required (Lunch provided with registration)

Benefits of Exercise and Balance Training to Boost your Health as you Age – Wilton
It doesn’t take much to improve your balance, strengthen your bones, and benefit your heart health. Learn strategies on HOW to get started with regular exercise and WHAT kind of exercise to do depending on your overall needs.  Session is free.
Tuesday, September 27th, 3:00pm – 4:00pm
Comstock Community Center, 180 School Road, Wilton
Registration Recommended (Free)

Interactive Cooking Class – Recipes that Fight Inflammation: Miso Noodles with Glazed Salmon
Come cook with registered dietitian, Monica Marcello, and learn how food can help you fight inflammation and maintain bone density. Class fee is $65.
Wednesday, September 28th, 11:30am – 12:45pm
RVNAhealth, 27 Governor Street, Ridgefield
Registration Required ($65 class fee)

Balance & Beyond – Ridgefield
An ongoing weekly drop-in class (come for one or come for all!) that focuses on building muscle, restoring balance and improving your walk or jog, all while giving your brain a great workout! $20 per class, space is limited.
Every Tuesday & Thursday, 1:30pm – 2:30pm
RVNAhealth Rehabilitation & Wellness Center, 27 Governor Street, Ridgefield
Registration Required ($20 per class)

Living BIG – Ridgefield
An ongoing weekly class. Living BIG addresses the problem of patients’ movements becoming smaller and more tentative as Parkinson’s Disease progresses. Each class, the therapist takes the patient through a series of whole-body LSVT BIG exercises aimed at improving strength, balance, flexibility and coordination. $20 per class, space is limited.
Every Thursday, 11:00am – 12:00pm
RVNAhealth Rehabilitation & Wellness Center, 27 Governor Street, Ridgefield
Registration Required ($20 per class)

Living LOUD – Ridgefield
An ongoing weekly class. Living LOUD tackles the soft voice, mumbled speech, monotone speech and hoarse voice that often afflict Parkinson’s patients.  The class follows structured activities that continue to work the patient’s vocal range to maintain the progress made after LSVT LOUD treatment. $20 per class, space is limited.
Every Tuesday, 11:00am – 12:00pm
RVNAhealth Rehabilitation & Wellness Center, 27 Governor Street, Ridgefield
Registration Required ($20 per class)

Coping with Loss – A Six-Week Bereavement Class – Ridgefield
The RVNAhealth Bereavement Team will be hosting a free six-week class on grieving and coping with loss.  Advanced registration is required.
Wednesdays, September 21 through October 26, 3:00pm – 4:00pm
RVNAhealth, 27 Governor Street, Ridgefield
Registration Required (Free)

Bereavement Support Group – New Milford
The RVNAhealth Bereavement Team hosts this ongoing monthly support group. Sessions are free.  Registration is requested before the first time you plan to come.
The second Thursday of each month, 4:00pm – 5:00pm
RVNAhealth New Milford office, 68 Park Lane Road, New Milford
Registration Requested Before First Attendance (Free)

RVNAhealth Autumn Dinner 2022 – Join Us!

RVNAhealth will host its annual Autumn Dinner on Saturday, September 24 at The Amber Room Colonnade in Danbury. The Board of Directors, Autumn Dinner 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.

Guests will enjoy cocktails, live music by Nick DePuy, Bourbon tasting sponsored by Ancona’s Wines & Liquors, farm-to-table fare, and live auction all in support of RVNAhealth.

This year’s impact speaker will be Joseph Pastore, managing partner at Pastore LLC and active member of his community. Joe will share a personal success story about how the RVNAhealth team helped him recover his health following a sudden illness and return to the many activities he enjoys with his family.

RVNAhealth is very grateful for early sponsorship support from these businesses and friends.  If you are interested in supporting the Autumn Dinner, you may purchase sponsorships, program ads, or tickets online or complete this form  and return to RVNAhealth, 27 Governor Street, Ridgefield, CT.

If you have any questions, please contact Jennifer Christensen at 203.438.5555, x1052 or jchristensen@RVNAhealth.org

Theresa Santoro honored by Thrown Stone Theatre Company

On Friday, July 15th, our own Theresa Santoro, MSN, RN, CHCA, RVNAhealth President & Chief Executive Officer was honored as an inaugural recipient of the Thrown Stone Theatre Company New Connections Award. Thrown Stone is a local theater company in Ridgefield, and their New Connections Award focuses on a distinct theme that relates to their current season of performances. The award was presented following the sold-out production of Athena by Gracie Gardner.

As stated by Thrown Stone: The New Connections Awards were envisioned to recognize individuals who exemplify Thrown Stone’s values and our mission to move, connect, and challenge all who join our theatrical conversation. Each year, the award will focus on a distinct theme that harmonizes with our season. In 2022, that theme is Mentoring Young Women. The inaugural honorees have distinguished themselves over a number of years as mentors, and have each selected a mentee, who will present their awards in a short ceremony following our opening night performances. Thrown Stone is grateful to these mentors who make a profound difference in our region, and we are delighted to celebrate their work with this award.

Theresa was asked to identify a mentee to be a part of the ceremony. “After over 20 years of working at RVNAhealth, I have had the privilege of mentoring and supporting so many of our team members, watching each grow in confidence, skill, and leadership. One of those individuals is Melissa Woodhouse, RVNAhealth Director of StayingWELL Services,” said Theresa. “It has been my pleasure to work alongside Melissa from her earliest days at RVNAhealth and to see her realize her growth and potential.”

Attending the ceremony alongside Theresa, Melissa expressed her mutual appreciation, “I will forever be grateful for her [Theresa’s] feedback, support, and guidance to grow and become the person I am today. A mentor is not someone who walks ahead of you to show you how to do it, a mentor walks alongside you to show you what you can do. Thank you, Theresa, for helping us all become better versions of ourselves.”

Theresa concluded, “Receiving this award reminds me again how important it is for all of us to take the time to support and champion each other. Without a doubt, we can all learn from each other, make each other stronger, and help each other become our best selves — both professionally and personally.”

Congratulations to Theresa! And congratulations to Thrown Stone Theatre Company for enriching our community. To learn more about Thrown Stone Theatre Company and the 2022 New Connection Awards, click here.

Celebrating Life…RVNAhealth’s Annual Hospice Memorial Service

On Tuesday, June 21st, RVNAhealth’s ComfortWELL team hosted its second annual RVNAhealth Hospice Memorial Service in the Ridgefield office for the families and loved ones of our hospice patients who have passed away. The memorial service is an opportunity for all to honor their loved ones who have passed away and pay tribute to the lives they led. It was a beautiful evening, made particularly special by the bonds and love shared by families, friends, and staff. We are grateful to the families who came and to all the families who entrusted us with the care of their loved one in their final stage of life.

 

This time helps family heal, connect with the team who cared for their loved ones, and express one more time their experience. It not only helps families but also staff. Our hospice staff spend significant time with patients and their families. Special bonds are created, so we grieve for patients as well. As Hospice Nurse, Lauren Messina, MA, BSN, RN put it “seeing the names of my patients at the memorial service gave me a sense of closure.”

 

One of the family members in attendance expressed her immense gratitude for our continuum of care. Her husband had been under our home health services for rehabilitation therapy but, after recognizing a decline in his health, he was referred to our ComfortWell hospice services. She expressed how easy and smooth the transition had been. From home health to hospice, she was in awe of the high caliber of RVNAhealth staff who visited her husband.


A second RVNAhealth Hospice Memorial will be held this coming fall in New Milford for families and friends of our ComfortWELL patients in the northern territory.

 

For more information on RVNAhealth’s ComfortWELL hospice services, please visit our website, or call 203.438.5555.

Well-Child Collaboration Receives Statewide Recognition

RVNAhealth was recently invited, along with Anne Mead, Director of Family, School and Community Partnerships at Danbury Public Schools, to present to a statewide panel of educators at the Connecticut Department of Education’s “Tuesday Talks” series.  Our collaboration was recognized as a statewide model for its ability to remove barriers for families to receiving well-child services upon registering their child to school.

What is the RVNAhealth/Danbury Public Schools Collaboration? Danbury Public Schools continue to see a growth in student registration.  The current healthcare system, especially for uninsured students, cannot support the related increased need for required school physicals and immunizations.  This imbalance can result in delayed school starts for kids of up to five weeks or more after registering.

To help address this growing issue, RVNAhealth is working with the Danbury Public Schools to host on-site well-child clinics at a Danbury school.  As children register for school, they are immediately scheduled for their physical and immunizations at RVNAhealth’s next well-child clinic.

At each of our 2-day clinics, bilingual clinicians provide children with full physicals, exams for vision and hearing, tuberculosis screenings, height and weight assessments, and more.  We also schedule kids for follow-up appointments at future clinics so they can complete their vaccination series.  An RVNAhealth social worker is also available to help enroll children in HUSKY, the state’s health care system.  At the end of appointments, we provide families with resource guides, and full bags of food, toiletries, and other personal care items to take home.

As we look to the future and evolve our well-child offerings, our plans include linking children to an established local physician’s office for future needs, providing more mental health support, and coordinating with other local agencies to connect families to community resources. These programs are made possible through grants and the generosity of our donors.  RVNAhealth is proud of our collaboration with the Danbury Public Schools, and we thank our staff, community partners, and donors for supporting this impactful program to benefit many children and families in the community.