Frequently Asked Questions
Below is a list of questions that may help you develop a better understanding of the Visiting Nurse Association.
General Questions About VNA
- What steps does VNA take to help assure that quality care is provided?
- How would a person refer a friend, relative or himself/herself to VNA?
Areas Served
Certified, Accredited and Funded
VNA Staff
- What is the hiring/selection process for the VNA?
- What is the screening/background check process for VNA caregivers?
- Are the employees insured and bonded?
- What type of orientation or training do VNA caregivers receive?
- What is the experience of VNA caregivers?
VNA Services
- What services does the VNA offer?
- Are VNA caregivers available 24 hours a day, including weekends?
- Are patients’ special needs, such as language preferences, accommodated?
Home Health Care
- What is home health care?
- What are the advantages of home health care?
- Who uses home health care?
- What rehabilitation services are offered by VNA?
- What kind of experience does the VNA have in home health care?
Hospice
- What is hospice?
- When and why would a patient require hospice care?
- What are the benefits to utilizing the hospice benefit?
Community/Public Health
Homemaker/Companion Care
How You Can Help – Volunteer and Donations
General Questions About VNA
What steps does VNA take to help assure that quality care is provided?
Quality of care is of utmost importance to the VNA. It is our mission to set the standard of excellence in our field. In order to do this, we regularly conduct patient and physician satisfaction surveys, internal audits and supervisory visits. We also have an entire department dedicated to insuring and constantly improving our quality.
Outside organizations, such as The Joint Commission and the state, also conduct surveys and audits. In addition, we are also benchmarked against other organizations nationwide to assure our services are of the highest quality.
How would a person refer a friend, relative or himself/herself to VNA?
You or someone you know may benefit from home health services; however, you may not be sure of the types of care available through VNA. A simple phone call will provide you with the necessary information about VNA programs and services that are available in Omaha, Council Bluffs and surrounding communities.
A VNA nurse will assess the need for home health services and, in consultation with your physician, develop a home care plan. If a patient requires home care following hospitalization, VNA staff will also coordinate services with the hospital discharge planner and the patient's physician.
Insurance or Medicare will usually cover most home care expenses. Community funds are available on a limited basis to cover the cost of care for those who cannot afford to pay. VNA home health services can be requested by calling: (402) 342-5566 or (800) 456-8869. You may also submit your question or referral to us via email, info@thevnacares.org.
Areas Served
How long has the VNA been serving the community?
Since 1896, the VNA has supported the dignity and well-being of Omaha and Council Bluffs residents by delivering the highest quality home care, IV therapy, hospice, and community/public health services wherever our clients call home. Our compassionate staff provides care to all individuals regardless of age, color, creed, neighborhood, complexity of care, or ability to pay. For more than 110 years, the VNA remains true to its mission to develop and maintain innovative programs that bring comfort and healing to the sick, frail, young, injured and the dying. Our overall goal is to provide peace of mind, quality of life, and independence for the client, their family, and their loved ones.
What communities are served by the VNA?
The VNA is a local provider of home health care services. The VNA provides care in Douglas, Sarpy, and parts of Washington, Cass and Saunders Counties in Nebraska, and Pottawattamie and parts of Mills and Harrison Counties in Iowa.
The VNA provides hospice care in Omaha and surrounding communities. In Southwest Iowa, hospice care is provided through our partnership in Hospice of Southwest Iowa.
To ensure our patients have the highest quality care possible, we review each referral to guarantee that proper staff will be available to meet the patients’ needs.
Certified, Accredited and Funded
Is VNA Medicare certified and The Joint Commission accredited?
The VNA is both Medicare certified and accredited by The Joint Commission. The Joint Commission is the same organization that accredits hospitals, and to be accredited is a testimony to our mission of setting the standard of excellence in home health care.
How is the VNA funded?
Many VNA services are reimbursed under Medicare, Medicaid, Veterans Administration benefits, private insurance, and self-pay. Each payor has guidelines and certain requirements that need to be met. Services may be provided at a reduced fee for those unable to afford healthcare.
VNA Staff
What is the hiring/selection process for the VNA?
Applicants complete an online application, either from their homes, offices, or at the VNA office. Applicants are contacted by phone the next business day to assure them it’s been received. This also gives the VNA the opportunity to describe the position in more detail, describe specific requirements such as a professional license, years of experience, and a clean driving record, .and answer any questions. Our goal is to clearly communicate the hiring process to the applicant.
VNA managers are extremely involved in the interviewing and hiring process, and once an offer has been accepted by an applicant, the VNA conducts a thorough background check process.
What is the screening/background check process for VNA caregivers?
The VNA conducts extensive background check on all selected applicants. This includes reference checks, criminal and Medicare/Medicaid fraud checks, validation of professional licenses, and examination of adult/child registries for past abuse. It is vitally important for home care providers to successfully pass these background checks, since they will be providing care for you or your loved ones in your home. Because our office staff also has access to personal information of our clients, it is equally important for them to be held to the same rigorous background check process.
Are the employees insured and bonded?
VNA’s visiting staff are bonded and insured. This includes many different types of insurance, including professional liability, general liability, worker’s compensation, and fidelity bond coverage. In addition, they receive regular company-provided training.
What type of orientation or training do VNA caregivers receive?
All new VNA caregivers attend an extensive orientation, which focuses on safety, ethics, compliance issues, confidentiality and the vast array of program and services provided by the VNA. Additional training is provided to caregivers on specific clinical processes and requirements to complete their job. Caregivers receive the opportunity to complete up to 20 hours of continuing education annually through monthly training programs and skills labs. Some of these are for specific accreditation requirements while others serve to expand the caregiver’s skill set for personal and professional growth.
What is the experience of VNA caregivers?
Several of our staff have made a commitment to excellence through advanced certification including certified: lactation consultants, medical-surgical nurse, psychiatric and mental health nurses, hospice and palliative care nurse, wound ostomy and continence nurse, therapeutic recreation specialist, senior advisor, Lamaze certified child birth education, chaplain, certified registered infusion nurse, home care coding specialist, and OASIS specialist.
VNA Services
What services does the VNA offer?
There are many home care services available so it is very important that the agency can coordinate and provide all the services you need. Our professional staff provides a continuum of health-related services:
- Skilled Nursing
- Home Health Aide
- Medical Social Work
- Hospice
- Maternal Child Services
- IV /Pharmacy Services
- Physical Therapy
- Occupational Therapy
- Speech Therapy
- Nutritional Services
- Mental Health Services
- Wound Care
- Diabetic Care
- Cardiopulmonary Care
- Dementia/Alzheimer’s Care
- Orthopedic Care
- Oncology Care
- Neurology Care
- HomeAide – Senior Care Services
- HomMed In-Home Daily Health Monitoring
- Lifeline Medical Alert Service
- Medication Administration System
Are VNA caregivers available 24 hours a day, including weekends?
The VNA has a wide variety of home health care programs and services to meet the needs of all ages, and we are open seven days a week, 24-hours a day, including holidays.
Are patients’ special needs, such as language preferences, accommodated?
In addition to having bilingual staff, VNA employees have access to Hope Community Outreach Coalition for interpreter services. We also have a bilingual phone service for use in the office and in the home for over 40 different languages.
Home Health Care
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.
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.
Who uses home health care?
People of all ages use home health care services-from senior citizens to young children. Some examples include those who:
- Are able to be discharged from a hospital or nursing home but need additional care
- Are terminally ill and want to live their final days with dignity surrounded by their loved ones in the comfort of their own home
- Have short-term health needs
- Need assistance, due to age or disability, to remain at home
- Need education about the disease process and training on how to best care for themselves
What rehabilitation services are offered by VNA?
Physical Therapy – Home-based therapy assists recovery from injury, illness, disease or medical trauma. Individualized therapy programs build mobility, strength, endurance and range of motion, and teach recovering patients how to care for themselves at home. Treatments for musculoskeletal, neurological and developmental disorders are available for adults, children and infants.
Occupational Therapy – Persons experiencing weakness or decreased functionality due to illness, accident or age are helped to redevelop the ability to bathe, dress and perform other daily personal care. Therapy is available for adults, children and infants.
Speech Therapy – Speech-language pathologists aid in communication and swallowing disorders resulting from head injury, surgery, dementia, neurological disorders, and progressive neurological diseases and hearing loss. Therapy is available for adults, children and infants.
What kind of experience does the VNA have in home health care?
During the more than 110 years of caring, VNA has been the pioneer in developing new home care services to meet the needs of those wanting to stay in their own homes. We have helped more than 50,000 clients in 2007 have peace of mind, quality of life, and independence.
Hospice
What is hospice?
Hospice is a philosophy of care provided to patients with a terminal illness who have chosen a palliative approach to care. VNA focuses on the patient’s quality of life allowing them to remain pain free and comfortable in a home setting surrounded by their loved ones.
Our team of professionals has the skills, education, dedication and compassion to provide comfort and care to not only the patient, but also the entire family. Services can be delivered in a wide variety of settings, from private homes to nursing facilities.
When and why would a patient require hospice care?
It is time for hospice when:
- A physician, patient or family requests it.
- A person is diagnosed with an illness causing a limited life expectancy of approximately six months or less, as determined by his/her physician. Patients diagnosis that warrant hospice referrals are Dementia, Stroke, ALS, Pulmonary Disease, Cancer, HIV, Heart Disease, Liver Disease, Adult Failure to Thrive Syndrome.
- A patient’s illness is no longer responding to aggressive, cure-oriented treatments and they choose to focus on comfort.
- A patient and their families can receive hospice service in the privacy of their own homes or within a nursing facility.
- A patient needs expertise in management of symptoms related to his/her terminal illness.
What are the benefits to utilizing the hospice benefit?*
- The Interdisciplinary hospice team services are covered 100%.
- Medications that are related to or symptoms of terminal diagnosis covered 100%.
- Durable Medical Equipment (DME) that is related to comfort needs are covered 100%.
- Medical supplies that alleviate or prevent distressing signs and symptoms are covered.
* Each individuals benefits vary depending upon their status with private insurance, Medicare, and Medicaid.
Community/Public Health
What is community health and what services do you provide?
In 1896, VNA started taking care of the most at-risk populations in the community, especially the very young and very old. Today, VNA is known for its expertise in community health services. VNA reaches out to all in the community regardless of where they live, complexity of condition or ability to pay. The goal is to foster dignity while increasing self-care and independence. Services include:
- Skilled Nursing, Home Health Aide, and Therapy Services for Persons with Limited or No Resources
- Homemaker/Companion Services
- Home Visits to Pregnant Women and Families with Infants and Young Children
- Childbirth and Nutrition Education
- Breastfeeding Education and Support
- Flu Prevention Campaign
- School Nursing
- Homeless Shelter, Transitional Housing and Correctional Outreach Nursing
- Immigrant/Refugee Outreach and Support
- In-Home Asthma Management
Homemaker/Companion Care
Does VNA offer homemaker/companion care services?
The VNA HomeAide program provides homemaker/companion and personal care assistance for individuals who may not require extended medical care at home, but who can benefit from help with daily living activities. HomeAide is a personalized in-home care service that assists individuals and ensures the security of living independently at home. Our caregivers provide such things as meal preparation, laundry, light housekeeping, or getting to and from appointments. Our services are available to individuals of all ages, and backed by the standard of excellence and care that have been the hallmark of the VNA for more than 110 years.
How You Can Help – Volunteer and Donations
Does VNA have opportunities for volunteers?
A variety of rewarding opportunities awaits VNA Volunteers. Our volunteer opportunities have flexible hours that fit into busy schedules, and as a VNA Volunteer, you will be making a difference in the lives of many people in our community. Opportunities include:
- VNA Teen Volunteers — (age 14–19) have the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of hospice and nursing home patients.
- Hospice Volunteers – assist hospice patients and their families by offering companionship, as well as caregiver relief.
- Family Friends Volunteers – provide respite for families with special needs children under the age of 12.
- Resource Mothers Volunteers – serve as mentors for pregnant women and parenting families that are facing challenges in their lives.
- Flu Clinic Volunteers – assist VNA nurses with community flu clinics.
- Office and Clerical Volunteers – assist with day-to-day operation at the VNA office.
- Patient Advocate/Visitation Volunteers – provide companionship and conversation, as well as server as advocates for patients who are at home or living in area care facilities.
- Project Next Step Volunteers – assist individuals as they transition from homelessness to independence by picking up and delivering deliver donated items to individuals and families beginning the “next step” in their lives.
- Special Event Volunteers – Volunteers are needed throughout the year to assist with VNA special events. Help is needed from planning to setting up so volunteers can choose what works best for their interest and schedule.
How can someone help VNA through donations?
Financial contributions to the VNA Foundation helps secure the resources the VNA needs to provide quality health care services to those in need within our community. Donors help VNA provide care to new mothers and their babies, people of all ages who are recovering from illness, the elderly, and the terminally ill. Donations are used in Omaha, Council Bluffs, and surrounding communities, and allow us to support current programs, develop new health care programs, purchase supplies and medical equipment, all while remaining sensitive to our patients’ ability to pay for services.
Individuals can choose to donate and allow VNA to use the contribution where the need to serve patients is the greatest, or the gift can be donated to a specific VNA Fund and direct your gift to a program or service that interests you most.
For more information about making a donation, please contact Mary Lou Brasee, Vice President of Marketing & Development at (402) 930-4022, or mbrasee@thevnacares.org.
Printer-friendly versionVolunteer for the VNA
Make a difference in the lives of those in need in your community. Become a VNA volunteer today.
Your Donations Help
Your financial contribution to the VNA Foundation helps provide quality health care services to those in need within our community.
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