Spring 2010 - the Visiting Nurse Association of Northern New Jersey

Contents
02 Plan Ahead for Home
Care Needs
03 It’s Never too Early to
Think About Elder Care
04 Customized Private Care
is Growing in Popularity
05 VNA Welcomes New
Trustees
06 Gala Preview
National Volunteer Week
National Nurses Week
07 Free VNA Speakers
Educate Caregivers
08 Tell Us Your Story
This newsletter is published by
the Visiting Nurse Association
of Northern New Jersey.
Faith F. Scott, FACHE
President & Chief Executive Officer
Lisa Salamone
Executive Vice President &
Chief Business Development Officer, Editor
Joanne Scillia, RN, BSN
Vice President & Chief Clinical Officer
John Costello
Vice President & Chief Financial Officer
Shekeya Watkins
Development Manager,
Editorial Assistant
Amanda DeFelice
Community Relations Coordinator,
Editorial Assistant
Satellite Advertising & Design, Inc.
Design
Lauren Parran
Copywriting
Michael Peters
Roy Groething
Photography
If you have a change of address or
would like us to add someone to our
mailing list, please call the Community
Relations office at (973) 451-4169.
Plan Ahead for
Home Care Needs
CEO Advocates Creation of Individual, Long-Term Plans
Faith Scott is hoping the ongoing national debate about health care reform and related Medicare
cuts will encourage more people to create their own individualized care plans. “It’s ironic that many
of us put a lot of effort into college planning for our children, but neglect to plan thoroughly for
our own golden years or ensure that aging parents and other loved ones we may be called upon
to help have viable plans in place,” Scott observed.
As the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Visiting Nurse Association of Northern New
Jersey (VNA), Scott took a leadership position in mobilizing opposition to more than $58 billion
in cuts to home care benefits contained in unfinished Congressional health reform legislation.
She joined in activities sponsored by the National Association of Home Health Care (NAHC) and
VNA of America, wrote letters to the editors of local newspapers and authorized e-mail campaigns
to friends of VNA in an effort to get everyone concerned about the availability of home care
involved in preserving Medicare benefits. Yet at the same time, she detected another emerging
trend— an awakening among Americans that benefit programs are subject to cutbacks, so it’s
essential to have a private plan.
“The entire spectrum of health care is in flux and everyone is experiencing change,” Scott said.
“As an elder care provider, I believe the VNA needs to educate those who have not yet reached
retirement age about the importance of planning. Life expectancies are growing longer and
more people are living with chronic but non-life threatening conditions and routine limitations
that accompany aging. As a result, the number of seniors who require some form of limited or
full-time home care not covered by Medicare or private insurance is growing.”
2

Too many of our current generation of seniors and their families
have been caught off guard by such needs, Scott said. While many
families are prudently consolidating households and seeking private
care services, they are doing so under stress and with a sense of
uncertainty. Long-range planning would eliminate some of that
stress and provide a greater measure of control. In fact, she offers
a series of steps that can be taken to effectively plan. (See below.)
“I believe our nation is in the beginning stages of an attitudinal
change driven by the burgeoning size of our elderly population and
government budget deficits that will shrink or at least inhibit further
expansion of Medicare benefits,” she concluded, “so our VNA is
committed to helping members of our community proactively
anticipate and prepare for their own needs.”
It’s Never too Early to ThinkAbout Elder Care…
Steps YouCan Take Today
Include elder care in your financial planning
When you’re making financial plans for emergencies and retirement,
don’t overlook the possibility that you’ll require home care and/or
custodial care. If remaining in the comfort of your own residence as
long as possible is a priority, set aside funds for home care services
and consider purchasing long-term care insurance to prepare for
more extensive needs. Ideally, your long-term financial plan should
provide for limited, at-home assistance beginning in your 70s and
acknowledge that you may require full-time care in your 80s and
beyond.
Keep physically and mentally active
Physical fitness and mental alertness are essential for independent
living. By maintaining a diet and exercise regimen that is appropriate
for your age and medical condition and engaging in activities such
as puzzles and word games that have been shown to maintain
cognitive skills, you can slow the progression of routine signs of
aging and delay the need for home care assistance or custodial
care.
Inform loved ones of your preferences
Let loved ones who may be called upon to serve as caregivers
know if independence in your own home is your preference. Plan
accordingly as a family and be ready to introduce incremental home
care solutions when needed. Clearly state your wishes in writing in
trusts and other planning documents.
Be open to lifestyle adjustments and think
creatively
If you want to defer nursing home confinement as long as possible,
work together with family members and reputable, trusted advisors
to identify options which make that goal attainable. Your contingency
plan might involve a parent or parents moving in with their adult
children when the time comes. Aging siblings who are single, widowed
or divorced and living alone should consider the pros and cons of
moving in together to share household costs and chores. Your plan
may also involve broader financial decisions such as investment
changes or a reverse mortgage.
Learn about care alternatives and providers
before needs arise
Know exactly where to turn if/when the need for care arises.
Research home care and residential care options in your community.
Reputable organizations will welcome your inquiries about their
capabilities and credentials.
Remember that established providers of comprehensive home care
services such as the VNA are equipped to escalate support from just
a few hours a week to full-time to accommodate changes in your
personal circumstances. The VNA can also seamlessly provide skilled
services such as visiting nursing, in-home physical, occupational and
speech therapy, dietician and social worker services in the event of an
illness or injury, as well as hospice care for those who choose to spend
the final phase of life in the comfort and dignity of their own homes.
3

Customized
Private Care
is Growing in
Popularity
Eric Morris (left) is planning to attend nursing school, so his current job
as a private aide offers valuable one-on-one experience working with
patients. What he enjoys most is learning about their diverse
backgrounds and interests. “Everyone has a different story to tell,” he
observed. In client Ron Corn, he discovered an aficionado of board
games. In fact, after taking care of essential tasks, the two men often
enjoy competing at games from Ron’s extensive collection. They’re
pictured here playing Mark, a game with a timely recycling theme that
Corn actually invented and published. Although Corn usually wins, he’s
very impressed with Morris whomhe considers “a very personable young
man with a bright future.”
Demand for VNA Private Care Services increased by nearly 35%
among families in greater Morris County in the second half of last
year. In fact, patients who use the VNA under provisions of Medicare
and private insurance following an illness or injury are increasingly
finding that they still require a helping hand after their benefits are
exhausted.
Ronald Corn of Denville is one such patient. He received Medicareeligible
VNA home health aide visits, along with physical therapy
and visiting nurse services, while recuperating from a fall. When
his benefits ran out, he was still not comfortable resuming some
routine tasks alone and his wife was struggling to keep up. As a
result, the Corns requested weekly VNA private aide visits. “Our
first VNA aide under Medicare was so helpful, we weren’t sure
that any other could be as good. But our private aide, Eric Morris,
is just as wonderful,” said Audrey Corn. In fact, the Corns have
developed a warm, comfortable relationship with Eric, who shares
Ron’s enthusiasm for board games.
Like the Corns, many clients discover that VNA aides make a
tangible improvement in their quality-of-life, according to Private
Care Manager Lauren Tutzauer. They choose private care because
they are reluctant to give up the service.
Flexible Options
“Each family has distinct and specific concerns and preferences,
and we work with each of them to accommodate their requests,”
said Tutzauer. “Most of our clients require just a few hours a week,
but about 10% request full-time or live-in assistance and that
number is growing.” One distinct benefit of choosing the VNA
is the opportunity to consult with a visiting nurse, as well as
Tutzauer or Private Care Coordinators Christine Sanchez and
Kerry-Ann Lamonth-Little, to devise a customized care plan.
“Some of our clients are completely homebound and our role is
to create respite time for family members who don’t want to leave
them alone,” she added, “but our aides are free to accompany
clients and their caregivers on outings which range from routine
barber shop and hair salon appointments to special family events.”
Perhaps the biggest misconception about private care is that it’s
exclusively for senior citizens, Tutzauer said. Younger people seeking
support after illnesses and injuries and parents of infants with special
needs are also among the VNA’s clients. Vacation coverage for
primary caregivers is also on the rise as families who are concerned
about leaving an elderly or disabled loved one alone call upon the
VNA. For further information, call Lauren Tutzauer directly at
(973) 451-4120 or e-mail ltutzauer@vnannj.org.
4

VNA Welcomes New Trustees
The Board of Trustees of the Visiting Nurse Association of Northern New Jersey (VNA) has added four new members:
John G. Grano
Grano, Vice President of Customer Alliances for Sanofi Pasteur US, a
leading manufacturer of vaccines, has supported the VNA for several
years. In fact, the Morristown resident was awarded the Caroline J.
Cauldwell Corporate Founder’s Award at the annual gala in 2008.
Last year, he secured a major in-kind gift of office furniture from his
company for the VNA’s new headquarters.
Loretta Kemp
Kemp, Director of Pfizer Diversified Business Strategies and Service
Lead Global Operations at its Madison campus, includes a successful
stint as chairperson of the Lighting the Way gala in 2006 among her
prior VNA volunteer roles. She was also instrumental in securing a
major in-kind gift of furniture from her company last year.
Christopher Moran
Moran, an interior designer who resides in Chatham, has added
the role of trustee to his list of VNA volunteer assignments which
also includes hospice, House Call Groceries for Seniors and Lighting
the Way. In fact, he has served as a hospice companion and grocery
shopper for homebound seniors for three years. He joined the
Lighting the Way event committee in 2009 and is serving as co-chair
of the silent auction for this year’s event.
Kimberly Walters
Walters, a resident of Madison, is President of the Junior League of
Morristown, a community service organization that counts President
& CEO Faith Scott among its members. The Junior League is very
supportive of the work of the VNA and awarded a grant to Friendship
House in 2008.
“As we expand and evolve to keep abreast of community needs, the counsel and support of trustees is essential to our success. We are delighted
to add these talented men and women to the VNA leadership team at this exciting time in the organization’s long and distinguished history,” said
Nancy Nadaskay, Chair of the Board.
The Joy of Volunteering
“I hope I never have to give up one-on-one volunteer work because
spending time with VNA clients is the most rewarding and enjoyable
role for me,” Chris Moran observed. Since he became a VNA
Hospice companion three years ago to “pay forward” the kindness
and comfort an Atlanta hospice brought his own family in the final
stage of his father’s life, Moran has immersed himself in volunteer
service and taken on multiple, varied assignments.“ After witnessing
the positive effect the VNA has on the lives of others first-hand, it
was an easy decision to expand my involvement,” he said recently.
“I’m happy to be part of such a caring organization.”
If you have as little as two hours a week to spare, you can join
Chris Moran as a VNA volunteer who extends a helping hand to
homebound neighbors and their primary caregivers. Or, you can
choose to volunteer “behind the scenes” at our headquarters in
downtown Morristown. For further information about volunteer
opportunities, please call Alison Mazie at (973) 451-4128 or e-mail
amazie@vnannj.org.
5

Gala Preview…
Preparations are underway for the VNA’s annual spring gala. Lighting
the Way 2010 will be held on Friday, May 7 at 7 p.m. at the Madison
Hotel in Convent Station. The event, now in its thirteenth year, has
become a wonderful VNA tradition. In fact, it has raised more than
$1.5 million to support the work of VNA since its inception. Along the
way, the gala has also created many wonderful memories for friends of
the VNA who look forward to coming together for an evening of fine
dining and dancing to live music.
“This year’s theme, Lighting the Way to a New Tomorrow, truly
captures the spirit of the VNA and its daily efforts to improve the
quality-of-life of sick, disabled and aged homebound area residents,”
observed Lisa Appleby, who is reprising her role as chairperson.
The event will feature the annual presentation of the Anna B. Hillock
Community Service Award and the Caroline J. Cauldwell Corporate
Founders Award, as well as a silent auction. Kristin Sostowski is
reprising her role as Silent Auction Chairperson with support from
Chris Moran, who will serve as co-chair this year. Under Sostowski’s
leadership, last year’s auction was the most successful ever with a
year-over-year increase of more than 10%. The Silent Auction
Committee hopes to build on that success this year.
For reservations or sponsorship opportunities, please call Shekeya
Watkins, Development Manager, at (973) 451-4150 or e-mail
swatkins@vnannj.org.
We salute everyone who generously volunteers their time
and talents, especially those who are making a difference
in the lives of homebound local residents by choosing
volunteer service with the VNA!
The Visiting Nurse Association of Northern New Jersey had
already logged more than six decades of service to the
homebound before President Eisenhower created National
Nurses Week in 1954. At that time, no one could have
imagined how much more pivotal and complex the work
of nurses in all settings would become in the 21st century.
Please join us in thanking all active and retired nurses for
their hard work and caring spirit!
6

Free VNA Speakers Educate
Caregivers
Representatives from the VNA Speakers Bureau give free, informative
talks about home care topics at meetings of civic and workplace
groups across Morris County throughout the year. At a recent
meeting of a support group for multiple transplant patients and
their loved ones in Parsippany, Mary Curoski, a Program Services
Representative, addressed one of the bureau’s most requested
topics: care for the caregiver.
For many in attendance, it came as no surprise when Curoski said that
caregiving is rewarding but often emotionally and physically grueling
work. In addition to offering some simple yet effective tips to avoid
anxiety, depression and social isolation, she advocates for caregiver
respites and provides detailed information about a variety of options
available to those who qualify including the Statewide Respite Care
Program, the Morris County Respite Program, the Community Health
Aide Program (CHAP), the VNA Friendship House adult day care
center, the Caregiver Education Program, House Call Groceries for
Seniors, Medicare-eligible assistance and private care.
“I’ve spoken to groups as small as five people and as large as several
hundred. Going out into the community to educate the public, listen
to their concerns and answer their questions about home health care
is the most rewarding part of my job,” Curoski said.
In addition to care for the caregiver, the Speakers Bureau also provides
talks about numerous other home care topics. To schedule a free VNA
presentation for an upcoming meeting of your club, civic organization,
employee or church group, contact Mary Curoski at (973) 451-4159
or e-mail mcuroski@vnannj.org. You may also contact Deborah
Castro at (973) 451-4161 or e-mail dcastro@vnannj.org.
Tips for Caregivers
• Set realistic goals for yourself and
your loved one
• Simplify and structure your daily
routine
• When a situation becomes too
stressful, take a “time out”
• Attend to your own physical,
emotional and spiritual health
• Avoid isolation, reach out for
support
Mary Curoski (far right) and other representatives fromthe
VNA Speakers Bureau always have time to answer questions
and speak one-on-one with audience members after delivering
their talks. The VNA also provides free literature and
giveaways at every event.
7

175 South Street
Morristown, NJ 07960
1-800-WE VISIT
vnannj.org
Visiting Nurse
Association
of Northern
New Jersey, Inc.
Board of Trustees
Nancy S. Nadaskay, Chair
Denis O’Sullivan, Vice Chair
Sally S. Ward, Secretary
Rowland V. Lucid, Esq., Treasurer
Lisa Appleby
Joseph Bonis
Kathryn Godby
Elizabeth T. Gilfillan
John G. Grano
Loretta Kemp
Eva Kubanik
Rev. Tony M. MacNaughton
Christopher Moran
Patricia M. Muratore
Susan E. Sameth
Steven A. Tasher
Kimberly Walters
Judie Ward
CALENDAR
April
Volunteer Recognition
Ceremony
May
Lighting the Way Gala –
Friday, May 7
Free Home Health Aide
Job Training
Home Health Aide
Open House
Therapy Recruitment
Open House
Bereavement Volunteer
Training
June
Free Home Health Aide
Job Training
July
Free Home Health Aide
Job Training
Tell us your
story…
Have you noticed that Home Caring
and other VNA materials feature
actual clients who recount their
experiences to help inform others If
you’ve had a positive experience with
our home care team that you’d like to
share, please call Shekeya Watkins at
(973) 451-4150 or e-mail
swatkins@vnannj.org.
Donate Your Used Car...
Set the wheels in motion today to rid yourself of that unwanted vehicle. Free towing is available.
Call (973) 451-4150 to learn more about how you can make a tax deductible vehicle donation that
will benefit the VNA!
For more information about these
events, go to vnannj.org.