FAQ
- Homecare Services
- Telehealth Program
- My Home Connection
- Hospice
- Adult Day Health
- Lifeline / Medication Management System
- Home Assisted Living
- Community Services Center
Homecare Services
What is Homecare?
Homecare is a form of healthcare service provided where a patient lives. Patients can receive homecare services whether they live in their own homes, with or without family members, group homes or in an assisted living facility. The purpose of homecare is to promote, maintain, or restore a patient's health and reduce the effects of disease or disability. The main goal of homecare is to provide for the medical needs of patients, allowing them to remain living at home, regardless of age or disability. The Gardner VNA is a Medicare Certified agency.
What types of services are provided under homecare?
- Homecare Nurses ( RN's & LPN's)
- Maternal/Child Health Nursing
- Wound, Ostomy & Continence Nurse Specialist
- Telehealth Program
- Rehabilitative Therapists-Physical, Occupational & Speech
- Medical Social Services
- Home Health Aides
Who pays for homecare services?
Medicare, Medicaid, Most HMO's, Private Insurance, Veterans Administration or Private Pay.
Can any other programs assist me if I feel I still need assistance?
Yes, the Gardner VNA has a wide array of services to care for you long after you have been discharged from the Homecare Program. The Gardner VNA offers a private duty service, called My Home Connection, that can assist any of our clients once they are no longer eligible to receive homecare services. We also provide peace-of-mind programs such as Lifeline, Telehealth and a Medication Management System that can assist individuals with daily living, while remaining independent.
Telehealth Program
What is Telehealth?
The Telehealth program is a friendly, easy-to-use, convenient in-home system that lets you provide your case manager with important information about your condition on a daily basis, right from the comfort of your own home. This system provides you with important healthcare information and useful tips to help you take better care of your own health. Allowing you to take a more active role in your own well-being, and enjoy a greater peace of mind knowing that the people caring for you have up-to-date information on your health every single day. The Gardner VNA offers this service as a compliment to the medical care being provided by your case manager and other staff members.
How could I benefit from using Telehealth?
The benefits of this program from a medical point of view are numerous; the Gardner VNA will be able to deliver vital signs and other important information to physicians very quickly in order to prevent any medical crisis. The Telehealth program is designed to coordinate the care being provided by your physician and the Gardner VNA staff. This system not only collects and transmits data, but it also has a disease education component whereby the participant is provided with personalized education related to their condition, reinforcement of information and encouragement; therefore, empowering the patient to improve their own care.
How much does this program cost?
The program is offered at no cost to eligible patients of the Gardner VNA. The Telehealth program was partially funded through a grant received from Fallon/OrNda Community Health Fund of Greater Worcester Community Foundation.
What medical conditions does the Telehealth Program provide educational information about?
Currently, the Gardner VNA Telehealth Program provides education for five disease programs including:
- Diabetes
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
- Heart Failure
- High Blood Pressure
- Coronary Heart Disease
The Gardner VNA also monitors basic vital signs, pulse oximetry and weight through the Telehealth Program for patients who do not require the full disease management program.
My Home Connection -- A Private Duty Service
What types of services are available?
Services begin with an assessment by a Registered Nurse / Professional Care Manager. The care manager develops a plan of care based on a client's individual needs and choices. Services available include nursing, social services, medication management, personal care assistants, companions, homemakers, chore services, shopping, meal preparation, transportation and respite.
What sets your staff above others providing similar services?
For the safety and well-being of our clients, a comprehensive background check is done on all employees. All caregivers of the program receive ongoing supervision by a registered nurse and attend trainings annually and on an as needed basis. As employees of the Gardner VNA, Workmen's Compensation and applicable taxes are paid by the agency for the employee, therefore relieving you of that responsibility.
Does insurance pay for services?
Some long-term care insurance policies pay a daily
stipend directly to the consumer for services after a screening process. Also,
some PACE programs and Veteran's Administration contracts pay the agency
directly to provide needed services to their clients.
Hospice
What is Hospice?
Hospice isn't a place. It's a type of care that focuses on living as fully as possible, up until the end of life. The goal of hospice is to treat the person instead of the disease, and support the family caregivers as well as the individual. The focus is on quality of life, not the length of time left to live. These services can be provided in the comfort of home, in a nursing home or assisted living setting.
Hospice offers the services and support that individuals want when coping with life-limiting illness. Considered to be the model for high-quality, compassionate care at the end of life, hospices have a team of care providers that includes expert medical care, pain-and-symptom management, and emotional and spiritual support. All care is tailored to the patient's needs and wishes.
What type of diagnoses are treated by Hospice?
The common misconception is that Hospice only cares for those patients with cancer, when the reality is that less than half of hospice patients have cancer. Some other diagnoses that can benefit from this personal service include: heart disease, dementia (this includes Alzheimer's disease), lung disease and stroke.
Is Hospice covered by Insurance?
Hospice is covered by Medicare, Medicaid, most private insurance plans, HMO's and other managed care organizations. The Gardner VNA Hospice staff will help determine insurance coverage and assist you in seeking creative solutions for meeting care needs.
What services are offered at the Adult Day Health Center's of the Gardner VNA?
Each Center offers clients a wide variety of personal and professional care. These services include everything from nursing care and medication management to snacks and a hot nutritious meal. Daily activities are also planned for the clients at the Center. Activities may include exercise programs, reminiscing groups, crafts, music therapy and brain trivia.
Transportation to the Center can be provided by family members or can be arranged by our staff. If you should choose to use alternate transportation, all arrangements for this contracted service will be handled through the Center.
How much does it cost? Is there any help available to assist with payment for your services?
Medicaid covers all costs to attend a Center and payment may be covered through local Home Care Corporations. Currently, the North Quabbin and Gardner Adult Day Health Centers have a contract with the Veteran's Administration. Participants may pay privately, however, services may be covered through local Home Care Corporations based on each individual and the level of care needed.
Lifeline / Medication Management System
What is Lifeline?
Lifeline responds to an emergency by sending the appropriate assistance immediately after help is summoned by a simple touch of a button on your Personal Transmitter Pendant. Our equipment is easy to use and our services affordable. You and your loved ones can rest assured that you're safe and happy. This services benefits elderly living alone or with family, recuperating patients, individuals with long-term illness and physically challenged individuals.
What is a Medication Management System?
The Medication Management System is a locked medication-dispensing machine, a little larger then a coffeemaker. This machine holds up to 60 cups of medications. It has an auditory alert system at scheduled times throughout the day that reminds an individual to take their medication. It is easy to load and operate, but help is available if you should need assistance. Should dosages be missed, a caregiver is notified automatically.
Home Assisted Living
What is the Home Assisted Living Program?
The Home Assisted Living Program is a MassHealth program designed to enable elderly or disabled persons to remain living in their own apartment postponing or preventing Nursing Home placement or other living arrangements. Services provided help to restore and maintain physical and emotional well-being and promote independence. Participants receive a daily visit from a Home Health Aide who assists the client in caring for themselves and their environment. The Home Health Aide helps with basic activities of daily living such as bathing and dressing, and also assists with housekeeping chores, such as vacuuming, meal preparation, laundry and shopping.
Are there other services besides the Home Health Aide?
Yes, a Registered Nurse and a Medical Social Worker work with the client, their family and physician to develop and supervise an individualized plan of care. All activities and treatments are coordinated and overseen by the program nurse and social worker. Participants not only receive physical help, but emotional support and companionship. Family members benefit from the peace of mind that someone is checking in on their loved one on a daily basis.
Community Services Center
What is the Community Services Center?
The Gardner VNA Community Services Center, located in Fitchburg, provides HIV Prevention and Education programs and its integrated program for HIV counseling and testing. The Center offers daily drop-in activities for at risk populations in the Fitchburg community and other communities in North Worcester County. The Center also assists individuals in taking steps toward healthy living and self-sufficiency through skills building, education and access to healthcare resources. Participants are empowered to be agents of change in their own lives and communities to improve their health and well-being.
For more information about the Gardner VNA and our services, please contact us, or for more immediate assistance, call 978-632-1230