By: Beth Knapinski – VCHS PR/Marketing Manager
During this National Home Care and Hospice Month, Valley County Health System (VCHS) Home Health and Hospice celebrates 28 years of providing home healthcare and 11 years of providing hospice care in central Nebraska.
VCHS became a Medicare-certified, licensed home health agency in 1989. The goal of home health is to help patients recover from injury or illness, or to assist them in managing chronic disease processes, thus limiting their need for hospitalization. Under the direction of a patient’s physician, the VCHS Home Health team of nurses, therapists, home health aides and a social worker give patients personalized, compassionate and professional care in the comfort of their own homes.
“Similar to trends nationwide, there is an increased demand for home health services, especially in rural areas. We strive to meet that need competently and compassionately in an increasingly regulated industry. We are your hometown professionals caring for our neighbors and friends. This adds additional value and meaning to the care we provide,” VCHS Home Health Manager Donna Streeter said.
Expanding services to meet additional needs, the agency became licensed in 2006 to make hospice care available as well. The VCHS Hospice team works to provide exceptional end-of-life care for patients and offer support for their families.
“Hospice is about redefining hope,” Streeter said, “A cure may not be possible, but we help each patient make his or her remaining time as comfortable, peaceful and fulfilling as possible.”
While the organization provides two distinct services, its staff is cross-trained to care for both home health and hospice patients. Ongoing education ensures the agency is complaint on regulations that govern both the home health and hospice industries.
VCHS Home Health and Hospice serves patients in 11 central Nebraska counties, with a primary service area of Valley, Garfield, Loup, Custer, Wheeler, Greeley, Sherman, and Howard counties.
The care team travels nearly 30,000 miles every month to meet the healthcare needs of patients in the comfort of their own homes and communities.
For more information about VCHS Home Health and Hospice, call 308-728-4355.
