Big Turnout for VNSW Reception for Dutchess Healthcare Community

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. - Oct. 29, 2013 - PRLog -- VNS Westchester (VNSW) marked the launch of its home healthcare services for Dutchess residents by hosting a networking reception for over 100 healthcare and social service providers in the County. The event, held   on October 23^rd at The Grandview in Poughkeepsie, provided representatives from local organizations with the opportunity to learn more about VNSW’s skilled nursing, rehabilitation, and home health aide services, and to discuss ways to work together to coordinate patient care.

Attendees from local hospitals, skilled nursing and rehabilitation facilities, assisted living centers and social service agencies concurred with VNSW’s President & CEO Lou Nemnom’s observation that, in today’s healthcare environment, “it takes a village” to ensure the health and well-being of our community. “By working together,” Nemnom said, “we have the greatest chance of success in delivering the best possible care for our patients, particularly as they transition from healthcare facilities to home care services.”

The agency has served Westchester County residents for 112 years, and three years ago opened a branch office in Brewster, NY to serve Putnam County residents. In the fall of 2012, the agency was granted a license by the New York State Department of Health to expand its services to Dutchess County, as well as to the Bronx and Rockland counties. Services to these areas commenced earlier this year.

According to VNSW’s Director of Development, Joyce Infante, “there is a tremendous need for home health care in Dutchess county which, following state-wide and national trends, has a growing elderly population. People are living longer and they want to age at home. We’ve been increasing our staff to provide the full complement of services needed. Many of them live locally, so they know the community and its needs.”

Infante noted that the agency hired Romy Johnson as a dedicated Nurse Liaison for Dutchess County. Johnson has been developing relationships with discharge planners and other staff at local hospitals, nursing homes and assisted living facilities to make them aware of VNS Westchester’s presence in the area.  Johnson noted that “Dutchess has many rural areas that are spaced far apart, making it difficult for the elderly and other vulnerable homebound populations to seek out needed resources.  We bring the resources to them to help maintain their health, safety and independence in the comfort of their homes. “

VNS Westchester is the largest nonprofit, community-based Medicare-certified home healthcare agency serving Westchester, the Bronx, Dutchess, Putnam and Rockland counties. The agency has provided skilled nursing, rehabilitation, home health aides and medical social work services since 1901. It has received national recognition as a Home Care Elite™ agency for several years based on meeting rigorous performance measures in key areas including home health quality, patient satisfaction and financial performance. VNSW is located at 360 Mamaroneck Ave., White Plains, NY. Its Putnam Branch office is at 979 Route 22, Brewster, NY. For information, visit www.vns.org or call 1-888-FOR-VNSW