Medical Programs 

Visiting Nurses Association

Visiting Nurses Association (VNA) has been providing compassionate care to Rockford area residents for more than 90 years. We provide a variety of services to people of all ages.

To learn more, select one of the following options:

About Us
Programs and Services
Payment Options
Frequently Asked Questions
Contact Us

About Us

A Leader in Your Community

Visiting Nurses Association of Rockford (VNA), a part of Rockford Health System, is the largest and most widely recognized non-profit home health care agency in northern Illinois. Headquartered at 4223 E. State Street in Rockford, VNA programs are supported, in part, by individual, private and corporate donations.

VNA is a Medicare and Medicaid certified home health, hospice and home medical equipment agency that is accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations.

Getting Services

VNA offers a variety of programs and services for individuals of all ages from newborn care to care for the chronically ill, disabled or elderly. Individuals can make their own referral or may be referred by physicians, hospitals, insurers, family members or friends, or other community-based agencies.

Referrals for any VNA service are made by calling (815) 971-3748.

VNA programs and services are covered by: Medicare, Medicaid, Insurance/HMOs, Private Pay, and/or Third Party Payers. State and federal funding are available for those who meet eligibility criteria. Financial assistance is available for medically necessary services to those who qualify.

Donations

Visiting Nurse Association is grateful for private, voluntary support that helps us provide quality home health care, hospice and community health initiatives to those in need. Frequently, the health care needs of our community outweigh the resources we have from health care reimbursements and insurance. Your generosity helps ensure continued health, independence and dignity of residents throughout northern Illinois. Thank you for helping us care for those in need.

VNA is a 501 (c) 3, nonprofit organization. All donations are tax exempt as allowed by law.

To find out more about VNA programs that benefit from charitable gifts, please call our office at (815) 971-3550. Individuals and corporations can help support our charitable mission by designating resources in a variety of ways.

o Individual giving
o Corporate giving
o Fundraising events
o Memorials
o Estates

Program and Services

VNA offers Skilled Home Health, Hospice, Home Medical Equipment, Pharmacy/Infusion, Older Adult Care and Community Outreach.

Skilled Home Health

Home care offers a wide variety of health and supportive services provided in the comfort of your own home. The goal of self-care and independence is promoted and encouraged to enable the patient to remain at home, avoiding excessive hospital and nursing home care.

Home health care's primary objective is to teach the patient and family the necessary care to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Patients and families receive instruction about medication, treatments, diet and exercise. Home health care is care that is meant to be short-term.

VNA is licensed to provide home health services in the following counties: Winnebago, Boone, western McHenry, northern DeKalb, Ogle and eastern Stephenson.

Home Health Staff include:
. Registered Nurses
. Pediatric Nurses
. Certified Palliative Care Nurses
. Psychiatric Nurses
. Wound Care Nurse Specialists
. Physical Therapists
.Occupational Therapists
. Speech Therapists
. Medical Social Workers
. Home Health Aides
. Registered Dieticians

Home Health Services include:
. Administration of IV and IM medications
. Feeding tube insertion, care, and maintenance
. Acute and chronic wound care
. Ostomy care and instruction
. Foley catheter insertion
. PICC line and central line maintenance, teaching and instruction
. Rehabilitation services following hospitalization for stroke, joint surgery, etc.
. Medication education and management
. Patient and caregiver education regarding disease process and management for both medical and psychiatric illnesses
. Assistance with long term care options and linkage to community services
. Other skilled services as prescribed by the physician

To make a referral, please call our Intake Department at: (815) 971-3748

Hospice

Visiting Nurses Association's Hospice offers specialized treatment and compassionate care for patients and families coping with a terminal illness. VNA Hospice's focus is to assist caregivers in offering supportive services to allow patients to live in their choice of residence with the greatest degree of comfort, dignity and control. Hospice commits to helping patients and families cope with illness and maintain or enhance the quality of life. Hospice affirms life. It neither hastens nor postpones death. Hospice is for patients who have chosen to no longer seek curative treatment. Rather, they choose a plan to be free of pain and symptoms and to attain a mental and spiritual preparedness for death.

Services are provided through a holistic team approach of professionals and volunteers. VNA is licensed to provide hospice services in the following counties: Winnebago, Boone, western McHenry, and Ogle.

Hospice Staff and Services include:
. Patient's physician: orders and directs the hospice care
. Registered nurses: teach and educate, address pain and symptom issues to help the patient remain comfortable
. Medical social workers: provide counseling, financial assistance, social, emotional and bereavement support
. Chaplain: provides spiritual support
. Certified nurses aides: assist with personal care and respite care
. Volunteers: provide companionship and respite care
. Physical, occupational, and speech therapies, along with dietary consults: available as needed

VNA Hospice staffs certified nurses and nurses aides who specialize in hospice and pain management care.

For more information on VNA Hospice or to make a referral, please call (815) 971-3748

Home Medical Equipment

Visiting Nurses Association's Home Medical Equipment Division (HME) offers patient-centered clinical care, along with personalized services. The dependability of our HME service and the availability of our products bring a peace of mind to our clients and a satisfaction that is continually ranked high.

Trained service technicians deliver, set up and educate clients on the proper use of VNA's home medical equipment. Those patients receiving specialized therapies such as oxygen, nebulizer treatments and apnea monitors also receive the services of a skilled respiratory therapist for education and follow-up.

Equipment is available for rent and or purchase. It can be delivered to the home, or if medically necessary, delivered to the patient's hospital room or extended care facility prior to discharge. For convenience, patients or family members may pick up equipment at our easily-accessible home medical equipment office, 2215 North Main Street, Rockford.

VNA's Home Medical Equipment is licensed to provide services in 15 Northern Illinois Counties.

HME Services include:
. Oxygen Therapy - including concentrators, cylinders (various sizes), oxygen-conserving devices, and specialized supplies
. Respiratory Modalities - including pulse oximetry, suction machines, and heavy duty compressors
. Pediatrics - including nebulizers, trach care, and phototherapy
. Ventilators - including specialized supplies, clinical respiratory instruction and consultation, and tracheostomy supplies
. Sleep Program - including BiPAP, CPAP, compliance studies, and specialized supplies
. Apnea Program - including Healthdyne, Edentac, Edentac II studies, and specialized supplies (These services are supported by our Registered Respiratory Therapists.)
. Enteral Therapy - including food pumps, food supplements, and specialized supplies
. Durable Medical Equipment - including electric beds, wheelchairs, CPM, walkers, canes, commodes, bathroom aides, and ambulatory aids

For more information on VNA Home Medical Equipment or to make a referral, please call (815) 971-3330.

Pharmacy/Infusion

Visiting Nurses Association offers infusion therapy that is provided by a specially trained and experienced pharmacy team. This team is comprised of nurses, pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and medical equipment technicians. They work together to meet the special needs of the infusion patient providing expert care in the comfort of the patient's own home.

Home infusion is provided to patients of all ages and is often ordered for the patient who is too weak or too ill to travel to the hospital or outpatient clinic.

Types of Therapy Available:
. Antibiotic therapy
. Pain control - acute, chronic or palliative
. Nutritional therapy
. Hydration
. Epidural medications
. Anticoagulation therapy
. Synagis
. Chemotherapy

Infusion Services include:
. Initiation of home infusion therapy, and teaching the care of infusion sites, lines and medication administration
. Initial doses of approved medications
. Educate patient and caregiver on safe administration of medications, possible side effects and possible drug interactions
. Instruct patient and caregiver in care of all types of infusion lines and medication pumps
. Maintenance of PICC and Central Line
. Monitor patient's condition and response to treatment
. Consultation and review of medication profiles
. Preparation, dispensing and monitoring of medication orders

For more information on VNA Pharmacy or Infusion Services or to make a referral, please call (815) 971-3748.

Older Adult Services

VNA's Older Adult Care offers a variety of services for persons over 60 years of age. These services allow individuals to remain in their homes and stay as independent as long as possible.

VNA is licensed to provide Older Adult services in the Illinois counties of Winnebago and Boone.

Older Adult Services include:
. Case Management - Home visits conducted linking seniors to needed services. One service is the Community Care Program, a federal and state funded program, which provides services to individuals who meet income, asset and need requirements. Services include the Homemaker Program, which provides in-home assistance, personal care and general support by trained homemakers; the Adult Day Care Program, which provides direct care and supervision to individuals as an alternative to institutional care; and specialized resources for caregivers.
. Choices for Care - This program provides nursing home prescreens for clients seeking admission to a nursing facility. It is designed to give individuals choices of long term care services. Case managers provide a free consultation which includes an assessment of the client's needs, review of the service options and their costs, and assistance in developing a plan of care.
. Health Consultation - VNA registered nurses conduct basic health screening and consultations at senior high-rises and congregate sites in Winnebago and Boone County. These consultations provide screening, health education, consultation, and if needed, referral to physician and community resources.
. The Illinois Volunteer Money Management Program - This volunteer-based program offers money management services to low income elders who need assistance with budgeting, paying routine bills and keeping track of financial matters. Clients can be served on either a short-term or long-term basis with money managers acting as either a bill payer or a representative payee. Clients have to meet income and asset guidelines. Volunteers are screened and receive specialized training before being matched with a client.
. Illinois Elder Abuse and Neglect Program - Specially-trained case managers investigate and intervene in cases of elder abuse, whether the situation is financial exploitation, physical abuse, emotional abuse, willful deprivation, passive neglect, confinement, or sexual abuse. Assistance is given to the elder so the situation can be resolved. Anyone can report a case of suspected elder abuse and the information and reporter's name are kept strictly confidential.

It is a mandate of the State of Illinois that health care and other professionals in the community report suspected cases of elder abuse.

For more information on Older Adult Services or to make a referral, please call (815) 971-3748.

Community Outreach

VNA is pleased to offer community-based outreach programs that are both convenient and affordable.

Lunch and Learn Educational Programs: On-site presentations focusing on a variety of home health topics and health related issues.

Immunization Clinics: On-site clinics to administer influenza and pneumonia immunizations. Clinics are scheduled at public and private sites. Health and Wellness Fairs: VNA provides staffing and informational material for civic, fraternal, corporate, and industrial employee health and wellness fairs.

Speaker's Bureau: VNA is eager to be the speaker at your next function. Topics include: How to Choose a Home Health Agency, Importance of Medication Management, Safety in the Home, How to Recognize Elder Abuse, Sleep Disorders and Sleep Apnea, The Myths of Hospice, and Advanced Directives.

For more information, please call (815) 971-3548.

Payment Options

VNA accepts Medicare, Medicaid, Insurance, HMOs, PPOs, Third Party Payers, and Self Pay. State and Federal funding are available for those who meet eligibility criteria. Financial assistance is available for medically-necessary services to those who qualify.

Eligibility and payment coverage for VNA programs is not the same for all individuals. Coverage is dependent on payer source, diagnosis, medical necessity, and services provided.

VNA is happy to check the coverage of your payer source.

For more information, please call (815) 971-3550.

Frequently Asked Questions Tab

Below are some frequently asked questions about home health care services:

1. What is home health care?
Home health care is an excellent, cost-effective alternative to hospital or other institutional care. Service is based on the individual's need as defined by his or her physician's plan of care and may range from 24-hour-a-day care to monthly visits from skilled nurses, therapists, social workers and/or home health aides.

2. What are the advantages of home health care?
In many cases, home health care permits a person to be discharged earlier from a hospital, reduces hospital admissions, and assists with a more rapid recovery. Most importantly, people are happier at home and receive more care and attention from family, friends and home health care professionals.

3. Who uses home health care?
People of all ages use home health care services. Some examples include:
. those who are able to be discharged from a hospital or nursing home but need additional care
. those who are terminally ill and want to live their final days with dignity surrounded by their loved ones in the comfort of their own home
. those who have short-term health needs
. those who need assistance, due to age or disability, to remain at home
. those who need education about the disease process and training on how to best care for themselves

4. What types of home care agencies are there? In Illinois, there are two main types of home health care agencies: certified agencies and private duty (or non-certified) agencies.

Certified Agencies
Certified home health care agencies comply with Medicare and Medicaid regulations. An individual's Medicare benefit defines the conditions that qualify for service. The need for service typically arises after hospitalization or a significant change in medical condition. Care is prescribed by a physician and is generally restricted to skilled services that may include nursing; physical, occupational or speech/language therapy; medical social work; and/or home health aides to assist with personal care needs. While a physician must prescribe care, the patient has the right to select the provider of his/her choice. VNA of Rockford Illinois is a Medicare and Medicaid-certified agency.

Private Duty Agencies
Private duty agencies offer a wide variety of services including medical and non-medical care. For example, private duty services, in addition to nursing, could include assistance with shopping, laundry, meals and companionship. The patient/family generally incur the cost of care, although some insurance plans may also cover all or a portion of it.

5. What types of professionals comprise the home health care team? The home health care team consists of physicians, nurses, home health aides, medical social workers and therapists who coordinate care based on an individual's needs.

6. Who pays for home health care services?
Medicare, Medicaid or other health insurances may cover the cost of home health care services. Some insurance policies will not cover all home health care services unless certain conditions are met. You can still obtain care without insurance coverage through a private duty agency on a private pay basis. Additionally, some agencies may have funding to help people who cannot afford the private pay option. The home health care agency will be able to assist in determining if the services you need are covered or if you need to make other arrangements.

7. When does service begin?
A physician, patient or family member can initiate service. However, Medicare, Medicaid and most insurance require physician oversight. Once the physician prescribes home health care, he/she authorizes a coordinated treatment plan, commonly called a "plan of care," and periodically reviews services and the patient's progress. If a physician does not prescribe home health care, but the individual still desires services, a private duty agency can suggest a plan of care to meet a wide variety of needs and budgets. While some insurance may pay for private duty services, typically, they are an out-of-pocket expense.

8. How do I choose the right agency for my loved one's needs?
Information regarding home health care services can be obtained from many sources. Resources include: hospital discharge departments, your physician, public health departments, telephone directory yellow pages under "home care," "home health care" or "nursing" or through Web site search engines using similar headings.

9. Some questions you may want to ask a prospective home health care agency, along with VNA's answers to these questions, appear below:

Does the agency have information explaining its services, fees, and eligibility requirements?
VNA has several brochures describing its programs and services. Call (815)971-3550 to receive brochures on our Medicare-certified home health care, hospice, home medical equipment or older adult services.

How does the provider select and train its employees?
VNA's visiting staff are bonded and insured. Employees' are screened through background checks. In addition, they receive regular company-provided training.

Are nurses or therapists required to evaluate the patient's home care needs? If so, what does this involve?
A patient's first visit consists of a thorough assessment of physical, mental, emotional and social needs. From this assessment, an individualized plan of care is developed with input from the family and authorization from the patient's physician.

Will the provider consult the patient's physicians and family members?
VNA always welcomes family involvement in a patient's care. Medicare guidelines require physician consultation, and in instances where Medicare is not used, VNA will contact the patient's physician at the individual's request.

Is the patient's course of treatment documented, detailing specific tasks to be accomplished by each professional caregiver?
Yes. A patient's course of treatment and progress is documented at each VNA home visit.

Does the patient and his or her family receive a copy of this plan, and is the plan updated as changes occur?
Yes. A copy of the patient's plan of care, along with a list of patient's rights and responsibilities, and an emergency plan is left in the patient's home.

Will the provider take time to teach family members about the care given to the patient?
Yes. Education is an important part of VNA's patient care plan and family members are an integral part of the care team.

Who can the patient and his or her family members contact with questions or complaints?
VNA patients and family members can call (815) 971-3550.

How does the agency follow up on and resolve problems?
As a Medicare/Medicaid home health agency, VNA is mandated to have a structured process in place to follow up and resolve problems.

Contact Us

Visiting Nurse Association of Rockford, Illinois, is here to help you. If you have questions or would like more information, please contact us.

Visiting Nurse Association of Rockford
4223 E. State Street
Rockford, IL 61108 (815) 971-3550

E-mail: VNAweb@rhsnet.org

Office of the President
(815) 971-3744

Community Relations
(815) 971-3548

Human Resources-Employment
(815) 971-3540

VNA Hospice
(815) 971-3554

VNA Home Medical Equipment
(815) 971-3330

VNA Older Adult Services
(815) 971-4285